As a film enthusiast with a penchant for horror and a soft spot for James McAvoy’s chameleonic acting skills, I must say, my dear fellow cinephiles, that Speak No Evil (2024) has left me with a peculiar conundrum. On one hand, the masterful performance of Mr. McAvoy is nothing short of spellbinding, a tour de force that will leave you gasping for breath and questioning your sanity. On the other hand, the film as a whole leaves much to be desired, falling short of the original’s haunting brilliance.
At times, you might believe you understand someone well, only to find later on that your initial impression was far off the mark. “What made me assume this person was trustworthy?” Or conversely, they were good-hearted all along and I had doubted them unjustly. However, in social settings where we feel mentally and psychologically suffocated, many of us choose to remain silent rather than cause a scene or upset the status quo. But why do we put up with it? As one intriguing character from Blumhouse’s recent production puts it, “You let us.” If Speak No Evil seems familiar, that’s because it is – at least to horror enthusiasts who follow the studio closely.
Two years ago, a movie titled similarly was unveiled by Danish writer-director Christian Tafdrup. Now, a revised screenplay for the same film has been penned and directed by James Watkins (known for “The Woman in Black” and “Eden Lake”). Although the Blumhouse remake of the original script by the Tafdrup brothers doesn’t quite match up, moviegoers in North America and the UK will still enjoy another spine-tingling performance by James McAvoy. Regrettably, the rest of the film may fall short of greatness, but McAvoy’s performance is sure to have you giggling, writhing, and shouting at the characters he potentially torments on screen.
If you haven’t watched the original “Speak No Evil”, it’s worth suggesting that one instead due to its superior tension-building and stronger third act, culminating in a daring and unyielding finale. While both versions offer unique qualities, this new English version feels particularly redundant compared to many remakes of foreign films. However, the addition of James McAvoy’s captivating and calculating gaze provides a notable improvement.
Speak No Evil Builds on the 2022 Original
As a cinephile, I’d put it this way: In “Speak No Evil,” Scoot McNairy (“Argo” and “Killing Them Softly”) and Mackenzie Davis (“Station Eleven” and “Tully”) play the leads. Their characters, Ben and Louise, have faced marital troubles in the past (a new twist for this remake). Seeking tranquility, they decide to take their daughter Agnes on a trip to Europe. There, they encounter an unconventional pair, Paddy, played by Michael Fassbender (“The Nightingale”), and Ciara, portrayed by Aisling Franciosi, who have a child similar in age to Agnes. Feeling the connection, we decide to extend our conversation and friendship with them.
Later in the year, Paddy and Ciara extend an invitation to their secluded countryside home to new friends Ben and Louise, a move that might just be what this American duo requires… or so it seems. To reveal how events spiral disastrously for our well-meaning protagonists would be unfair, but the tense gaze of actress Davis mirrors the growing unease of their horrific weekend escape. It becomes apparent to both the characters and the viewers that they are guests in the home of two rather suspicious, self-centered, greedy, manipulative, dishonest, sociopathic, and sexually charged individuals. Does this description suffice? You decide.
The Return of Maniacal McAvoy Can’t Save the Third Act
Without a doubt, McAvoy is a formidable presence: His portrayal of psychotic or unstable characters has been nothing short of extraordinary, and it’s as if all 23 personalities from his films Split/Glass by M. Night Shyamalan coalesce within him at times. This acting feat is akin to a pressure cooker, with the talented Scottish actor sometimes appearing ready to explode. Remarkably, these intense moments don’t always occur during gruesome, bloody scenes, but rather during more dialogue-driven, seemingly ordinary sequences.
As a movie enthusiast, I can’t help but express my disappointment that other actors seem to struggle to match McAvoy’s exceptional performance, despite McNairy and Davis having demonstrated their talent in previous roles. They appear overly stiff when paired with McAvoy’s infectious energy. Luckily, director Watkins skillfully leverages scenes from the 2022 original and creatively uses its dialog to introduce fresh comedic elements and viewpoints into this remake. It’s a pity there aren’t more of these clever script twists in Watkins’ arsenal as the movie progresses towards its climax.
The third act of the film seems to lose its grip by relying too heavily on common thriller movie cliches, rather than emphasizing the distinct aspects that made the 2022 version so eerily captivating – “Speak No Evil”. Despite disagreements about its controversial ending, one might still find it less satisfying compared to the original due to the overly simplistic resolution in this remake. However, it’s likely that Blumhouse will reap some profit from this film, even if longtime horror enthusiasts express disappointment. The movie “Speak No Evil”, distributed by Universal Pictures, is scheduled for release in theaters on Sep. 13, 2024. Check out the trailer below:
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2024-09-10 19:01