Speak No Evil (2024)
"Don't talk to strangers" is an understatement
in the thriller Speak No Evil. While
on vacation in Italy, an American couple, Louise and Ben Dalton (Mackenzie
Davis and Scoot McNairy), and their daughter Agnes (Alix West Lefler) meet
free-wheeling British couple Paddy and Ciara (James McAvoy and Aisling
Franciosi) and their son Ant (Dan Hough), who was apparently born with a
smaller tongue and which makes him unable to talk. The two families quickly
become friends, and the Daltons take the Brits up on their offer to spend a few
weeks with them at their country home.
Almost immediately upon arrival at Paddy and
Ciara's country estate, things get weird. For starters, Paddy cooks a goose
and, in a seemingly malicious act, gives the first taste to Louise, whom he
knows is a vegetarian. Soon after that, Ciara becomes controlling with Agnes,
as if Agnes is her own daughter. Paddy also has little fits of rage that are
mainly targeted towards Ant, and, when his parents aren't around, Ant is
desperately trying to communicate something to Agnes. Louise, in particular,
grows more and more uncomfortable with the situation.
Speak No
Evil is an American remake of the 2022 Dutch film of the same name. The
bleak Dutch version, which is mostly in English, is a depressing and
pretentious affair. Even though this remake is directed by James Watkins, who
helmed the downbeat Eden Lake (2008),
this is a conventional Hollywood product, but that doesn't make it an inferior
movie. In fact, it's a damn good thriller stacked with many moments of genuine
suspense. McAvoy is scary as hell, and Davis delivers a strong and emotional
performance.
So, yes, the remake of Speak No Evil is better than the original.
