As a film critic with a penchant for the dark and gritty, I must say that both versions of “Speak No Evil” leave a lasting impact. The original ending is undeniably harrowing, painting a bleak picture of human depravity that lingers long after the credits roll. It’s a testament to the director’s skill in evoking raw emotions and leaving viewers with a heavy heart.
There was some doubt surrounding the Blumhouse-produced American adaptation of the 2022 Danish psychological horror film “Speak No Evil,” which was unveiled in early 2023. It’s common to have reservations when a remake, particularly one based on foreign cinema, is announced.
Critics often criticize horror films that are remade from foreign sources, as American versions often opt for a more tame approach compared to their international counterparts. This can result in a distortion or misrepresentation of the original’s message and themes, such as Spike Lee’s remake of Oldboy demonstrates.
Under the direction of James Watkins, renowned for his work on “Eden Lake,” the modern adaptation of “Speak No Evil” deviates more from a traditional remake and leans towards a creative reinterpretation, particularly in its climactic third act. While maintaining the foundational narrative, Watkins has chosen to exercise artistic freedom.
The plot continues to center around two families of three each, who cross paths during a holiday trip. Eventually, one family decides to visit the other at their home later on. From the beginning, the visiting family experiences discomfort, and they encounter strange behavior from the hosting family that eventually makes it clear that something is amiss with the hosts.
As the third act unfolds, it’s during this point where “Speak No Evil” sets itself apart most significantly from the original film. Various adjustments have been made to give this adaptation its unique identity, and here is a rundown of the differences between the American version and its Danish counterpart.
Warning: Major spoilers ahead for Speak No Evil (the original and the remake).
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6 The Families Are American and English Instead of Danish and Dutch
The main difference in the remake lies in the origin of each family. In the original version, a Danish family encounters a Dutch family while on holiday in Italy, gets invited to visit their Dutch counterparts in the Netherlands. Since they hail from distinct nations and don’t share the same mother tongue, the majority of the film is conducted in English as it serves as a common language for them.
As an avid cinema enthusiast, let me rephrase this for you: In the American adaptation, the leading family is originally from the United States, but they’ve just moved to London due to a job offer. However, during a vacation in Italy, they meet a different family, but this time they’re English instead of Dutch. The English family extends the same hospitality as the Dutch family did to the Danish family in the original story. Upon returning home to their London townhouse, the Americans find a letter waiting for them from the English family.
5 Ant Exposes the Truth About His Parents to Agnes in the Remake
In the original movie, the Danish film uncovers the truth about the Dutch pair in a manner distinct from how the remake discloses the truth about the English duo. The initial Danish production features Bjorn (played by Morten Burian), the Danish father, who stumbles upon a cabin on the Dutch family’s land filled with hundreds of photographs of various families that the Dutch had met during their past holidays. In these images, the Dutch couple is seen with different children, all of whom were previously depicted with their actual parents. Bjorn is taken aback by this revelation and attempts to move his family off the property without revealing his discovery to his wife.
In both films, the protagonists attempt to convey their issues to the visiting families. However, in James Watkins’ adaptation, Ant (played by Dan Hough) takes Agnes (Alix West Lefler) to the cellar of the barn and exhibits a scrapbook filled with photos of Paddy (James McAvoy) and Ciara (Aisling Franciosi), accompanied by numerous children. To illustrate his situation, Ant symbolically reenacts the act of cutting with scissors, suggesting that he cannot speak due to a cut tongue. Agnes feigns her first menstruation to be left alone with her mother and subsequently shows her the photos she’s taken on her phone, depicting the contents of the scrapbook.
4 The American Family Actually Fights Back
The most challenging part about the original is that the Danish couple seldom stand up for themselves. They repeatedly make questionable decisions, and instead of confronting their fate, they choose to ignore it. Bjorn and Louise are often pressured into doing things that make them uncomfortable in order to avoid appearing rude or impolite. When Patrick and Karin lead them to a secluded place where death awaits, neither Bjorn nor Louise try to flee or protect themselves.
In essence, Louise and Ben (Scoot McNairy) exhibit similar imprudent actions as Bjorn and Louise do. They allow Paddy and Ciara to walk all over them, disregard red flags, and persist even when they have a chance to depart. Unlike the Danish pair, once Louise and Ben discover the capabilities of their hosts, they devise a strategy to flee. However, when their initial plan fails, they adapt their tactics to safeguard their daughter. They refuse to surrender passively and accept their destiny.
3 Ciara Is One of Paddy’s Victims
One significant alteration Watkins introduces to distinguish his movie from the original is the disclosure that Ciara is actually Paddy’s initial victim. This implies that Ciara’s parents were brutally murdered, and she was abducted by Paddy, compelled to collaborate in his sinister scheme. During their supposed relationship, she assisted him in deceiving numerous families into visiting them, kidnapping their children, and ultimately murdering them. Consequently, she was also involved in the murder of each child as he moved on to a new family.
In the Danish translation, it’s clear that Karin was an active part of the plan from the start. She wholeheartedly supported the scheme and shared her husband’s convictions. Since they were married and deeply in love, Karin was just as committed to the project as Patrick. Remorse was never a factor for her.
2 The Final Act Is Changed Completely
In the concluding scene of the Danish movie, the atmosphere turns grim and dismal. Upon uncovering the secret about Patrick and Karin, Bjørn comes across Abel’s lifeless body in a well. He attempts to free his family from their predicament, but finds his daughter and wife ensnared in a car before Agnes is abducted, her tongue severed. The distraught couple are subsequently transported to an isolated spot where they are instructed to undress. Bjørn demands an explanation for their treatment, to which Patrick responds that it’s retaliation for letting him get away. Despite putting up no resistance, Bjørn and Louise ultimately meet a violent end, being brutally stoned to death.
In a surprising twist in Watkins’ movie, the third act deviates significantly. Characters Louise, Ben, and Agnes, along with Ant, find themselves captive, yet resourceful Louise manages to break free and liberate her kin. A tense game of hide-and-seek unfolds on the estate as Louise, Ben, and their children attempt to elude Paddy and Ciara while ensuring their safety and avoiding capture. As they make a daring escape via the rooftop, Ciara tragically falls to her demise. Upon reaching solid ground, Paddy grabs Agnes, threatening the group, but Agnes retaliates by using the ketamine intended for them earlier to fatally stab him.
After Paddy got injured from the cleaning solution Louise accidentally sprayed into his eyes, he was out of action. This gave Ant a chance to vent his anger from the ordeal he had been through, seeking revenge on Paddy by viciously attacking him with a brick. As for Louise, Ben, and Agnes, they managed to escape with minimal harm. However, that young boy will have to deal with the repercussions of his actions and the trauma he experienced for the rest of his days.
1 Agnes Stays With Her Parents and Ant is Saved
In the original conclusion of “Speak No Evil”, the tone is extremely grim, leaving spectators with a sense of emotional detachment. The movie shows Patrick and Karin brutally drowning Abel, abducting Agnes, and cutting out her tongue – dooming her to the same fate as Abel. Bjørn and Louise fail to react instinctively in self-defense or escape, leading to a gruesome death by stoning. As a result of their inability to defend themselves and lack of survival skills, their child is left an orphan who meets a tragic end, a boy perishes, and they both suffer a painful, undignified demise.
Although Watkins’ conclusion might not pack the same emotional wallop as Christian Tafdrup’s, it presents an alternative viewpoint on the narrative. Paddy and Ciara meet gruesome ends, yet their influence on Ant and the American family will endure for as long as they are remembered. Agnes manages to remain with her loved ones, but she is destined to carry the scars of her ordeal forever, and her parents may struggle to trust outsiders from now on.
In a simpler, more conversational manner: Unlike Abel, Ant lives differently, yet he’s got deep-seated pain to confront, along with his quest for retribution. Making an exception and letting Louise, Ben, Agnes, and Ant survive is quite a shift from the original storyline, undeniably less dramatic, but it contributes significantly to the emotional resonance this new narrative aimed to convey.
Speak No Evil
is now playing in theaters.
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2024-09-21 01:02