Bryan Jones

Staff Writer

Director James Watkins’ “Speak No Evil” (2024), is a psychological thriller that ensnares viewers with its subtlety, pacing, cinematography and tense atmosphere.

Starring James McAvoy, the movie is a remake of the 2022 Danish film, though this version is more intense in its refinement of its predecessor’s themes, such as its focus on social tension, coercion and manipulation. Watkins effectively builds a slowly building eeriness through, weaving a thought-provoking tale that keeps viewers guessing throughout.

“Speak No Evil” is a movie about the fragility of trust and how its fracture should ultimately be faced. Following the story of the Daltons, an American family living in the United Kingdom–Louise (Mackenzie Davis), her husband Ben (Scoot McNairy) and their daughter Agnes (Alix West Lefler) meet Paddy (James McAvoy), his wife Ciara (Aisling Franciosi) and their son Ant (Dan Hough) while vacationing in Italy.

The initial warmth between the two families and their similarities in circumstances makes for an interesting introduction. Paddy’s charm is the spark that gives way to the Daltons accepting an invite out to his family’s farmhouse in the Italian countryside. What begins as an average visit quickly begins to deteriorate as viewers are shown the many ways that Paddy and Ciara manipulate their guests.

The film’s pacing is arguably one of its greatest strengths, as moments of the mundane are sprinkled with bits of tension throughout. This tension also lingers, with the cast displaying this through the various ebbs and flows of their moods within the film. It smoothly shows the way in which various relationships can sour overtime. Unease is tucked into awkward conversations, and Paddy makes several social faux pas, testing the limits of the Dalton family’s boundaries. Yet the Daltons allow their discomfort to build further, reflecting the social pressure of conflict avoidance, even when things feel off.

James McAvoy has a standout performance in his portrayal of Paddy, a seemingly charismatic but arrogant host whose actions slowly begin to grow more menacing and frightening over time. McAvoy succeeds in lacing even the most average of interactions with a bit of tension, whether it’s sharing a meal or offering advice on parenting. He’s enigmatic but compelling, keeping the audience on edge and guessing at what his next action will be. Yet, the rest of the cast is just as captivating in their roles, showing a synergy that adds a deeper layer of storytelling to the film.

The film’s cinematography is also worthy of praise, with the use of dynamic camera work and visually appealing angles, subtle visual cues are shown throughout the film. “Speak No Evil” focuses heavily on social norms and acceptable boundaries.

Throughout the film, the Daltons are presented with situations where they could continue to bow to social norms and avoid conflict, or they could be openly honest and push back against their hosts. The scene where Louise, a pescatarian, is pressured into eating poultry by Paddy is particularly notable for this, and that is simply a fraction of what he does to test the boundaries of the Daltons.

“Speak No Evil” doesn’t rely on jump scares or typical tropes, but instead focuses on delivering a psychological terror steeped in fear and control. The film blends this brand of horror with a unique sound design aimed at ramping up the uncertainty of a scene with an ominous tone slowly building throughout.

At its core, “Speak No Evil” is a film with a compelling narrative that thrives on its subtleties through various character interactions. The narrative keeps viewers engaged and is not afraid to be subversive in the slightest. Its exploration of social norms, and just how much people are willing to accept before speaking out makes it a thought-provoking experience. Yet the shocks that occur throughout this film are not simply due to violence, but instead stem from the disturbing portrayal of human behavior at its worst.