Speak no Evil (James Watkins: 2024)

 

Not knowing that this was a remake of a Danish film from 2022, I went to see this thriller without any expectations, especially after watching the trailer that played in the cinemas that seemed to show all of the most relevant plot points (something that usually ruins a movie experience before one gets to see the actual movie).

However, in this case, I managed to enjoy the movie and some of the surprises it still had in store. One of which is mainly the atmosphere of constant foreshadowing that something is going to go wrong: it was not a matter of if, but when. But is impossible for me to review this movie without spoilers.

One of the quotes that came to mind while watching it was “I’m just a man who can’t say no”, spoken by Jack Lemmon’s character in 1960’s movie “The Apartment” by Billy Wilder. That is because the characters that are invited to a weekend in the country seem to just be unable to say no to the invitation, despite the “red flags” that are raised by the couple that invite them.

The main couple, played by incredibly well by Mackenzie Davis and Scoot McNairy seem to be on the brink of danger, especially their daughter Agnes, played by Alix West Lefler. Agnes is afflicted by anxiety and holds on tightly to her puppet rabbit in times of crisis, but not always so, which is a source of conflict between her parents. The couple that invites them always seems to be on the brink of outburst of violence, especially Paddy, played masterfully by an unhinged James McAvoy, not always physical, but also verbal. The victim of this abuse is their apparent son, Ant, who is mute.

Soon the plot that revolves around the friendship between both couples’ kids reveals that Paddy and his wife have been murdering couples with children and replacing their own kids with the children of the owns murdered, and then removing their tongues as a way to guaranty their silence. Slowly all goes to hell, with Agnes’ parents and herself struggling to survive their “hunters” and saving Ant in the process.

The ending is as pleasant as one can get in this type of scenario, but the scars that afflict the children will remain as evident by the final shot of a blood soaked Ant weeping as they flee the ranch. This movie reminds me very much of a masterpiece of disturbing movie, “The Vanishing” a Dutch movie from 1988 (directed by George Sluizer), which has a disturbing atmosphere that keeps the audience one their toes, never knowing what will happen next. “Speak no Evil” always has you either feeling nervous or uncomfortable, and can also make you laugh at the awkward situations that take place, but never lets you feel safe.