Speak No Evil review: James McAvoy is great but film still fails to justify its existence

As a seasoned gamer and cinephile who has traversed countless realms and cinematic universes, I can confidently say that Speak No Evil is yet another instance of Hollywood’s relentless remake rampage falling short of its mark.


Once again, Hollywood’s fixation with remakes rears its head, as Speak No Evil is a remake of the superior 2022 Danish film of the same name. The new movie by Blumhouse Productions and Universal falls short of capturing what made the original film so impactful.

Initially, I was astonished as a steady stream of favorable reviews for the film “Speak No Evil” flooded in. This left me questioning whether these reviews were written by individuals who evaluated the movie on its own merit – which is likely the case for many viewers – or by those who had previously watched the 2022 version and were making comparisons. In my case, I undoubtedly belong to the latter group.

Although I had reservations due to the revealing trailer and high hopes for an enjoyable surprise, the film unfortunately fell short of my expectations.

The movie, “Speak No Evil”, centers around an American family named Ben, Louise, and their daughter Agnes as they embark on a serene trip to Italy. During this journey, they become friends with Paddy, Ciara, and their son Ant from another family. The families’ bond deepens so much that Paddy and Ciara extend an invitation for Ben, Louise, and their daughter to visit them in the countryside for a weekend getaway.

Initially, the getaway appears to be just what Louise and Ben require to mend their strained marriage. However, as days pass, it gradually unveils that there’s something deeply amiss with Ciara and Paddy, and their family dynamic, which appears to be warped in an unsettling way.

Essentially, “Speak No Evil” (2019) closely resembles the original movie with only minor variations in characters and plot twists. Most events unfold in a similar fashion throughout the story. It’s not until the third act that director James Watkins introduces changes to the narrative, but these alterations don’t align with the unsettling atmosphere of the film. Instead, they make it appear more conventional and predictable, deviating from the original’s haunting tone.

If they’d chosen to maintain the same gloomy finale as the original, it would have been equally disappointing, considering the movie failed to introduce any fresh or distinctive elements into the plot.

To put it simply, “Speak No Evil” is an engaging thriller that most people new to the story will appreciate. However, if you’ve already watched the 2022 film, it might seem like this movie serves primarily as a platform for James McAvoy to demonstrate his exceptional skills in portraying a captivating villain.

As a gaming enthusiast, I’ve just learned that the intriguing movie “Speak No Evil” is currently screening in cinemas. If you’re up for a challenge, you can catch this 2022 Danish production on Shudder and draw your own comparisons.

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2024-09-13 07:25

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