Horror Movie Review: Speak No Evil (2024)

Speak No Evil is a 2024 American psychological horror thriller film written and directed by James Watkins. A remake of the 2022 Danish-Dutch film of the same name.

While vacationing in Italy, American couple Louise and Ben Dalton and their preteen daughter Agnes meet and befriend free-spirited British couple: Paddy and Ciara and their son Ant. Back home in London, Louise and Ben are at odds over his unemployment and her infidelity. A letter arrives from Paddy and Ciara inviting the Daltons to their remote farmhouse in Devon. The family decides to go, hoping the change of scenery will be good for them. And for Agnes, who has anxiety and is attached to a stuffed bunny toy named Hoppy.

Arriving at the farmhouse, Louise, Ben, and Agnes are warmly welcomed, but as they spend more time at the house, they begin to grow unnerved. There are strange incidents and passive-aggressive behaviours from their hosts that cross boundaries. Louise is also troubled by Paddy and Ciara’s aggressive treatment of Ant. They learn he was born with a condition that left him with a smaller tongue and an inability to communicate. One evening, the adults go out for dinner, leaving Agnes and Ant in the care of a babysitter named Muhjid. This unnerves the Daltons. While playing hide and seek with Muhjid, Ant shows Agnes a collection of watches Paddy has. One has a message written in Danish, but Agnes is unable to understand it.

At dinner, Paddy challenges Louise’s vegetarianism and jokingly simulates a sex act with Ciara, shocking their guests. Upon returning, Louise later discovers Agnes has been moved to share a bed with a drunken Paddy and Ciara. Horrified, Louise flees with her family but are forced to return by Agnes, who left Hoppy behind.

Will Hoppy be their downfall? Or is Louise just being too judgemental and uptight? Watch and find out.

Well, I sure hope you didn’t watch the trailer because unfortunately, it shows far too much. I was actually pleasantly surprised when I got to a part in the movie that hadn’t been spoiled! Luckily, there is a few twists and turns that were revealed in the trailer but still.

James McAvoy is obviously the standout, as always. This movie is worth watching for him alone. He delivers such a layered performance and is heads and shoulders above the rest. McAvoy looks physically dominating and has clearly put a lot into the role.

Don’t get me wrong though, the whole cast does a great job. They all deliver well but James McAvoy is irreplaceable.

Despite knowing most of the twists and turns from the trailer, I was still compelled to watch. I thoroughly enjoyed the realism. When I discovered the director also made Eden Lake, one of the most realistically scary movies for a British person (death by chavs), it all made sense.

The scam was realistic. There’s no high tech secret bunker with manacles hanging from the walls. The action and fighting is clumsy and hesitant. And although the decisions may seem frustrating, they make sense.

The ending did leave me feeling unsatisfied. Everyone getting away unharmed is where the realism leaves the movie. I understand the original ends very differently and they wanted an americanized, happy ending but it’s not very grand and fades to black.

Overall, if you love James McAvoy you’ll find enjoyment here. An unsettling tale with a few twists and turns here to keep you engrossed.