Speak No Evil review: Strap in for an exhilarating ride with mad McAvoy

Speak No Evil review: Strap in for an exhilarating ride with mad McAvoy

As a seasoned traveler and movie enthusiast with a knack for forming deep connections during my global adventures, I must say Speak No Evil has left me both intrigued and slightly apprehensive about future holiday friendships. The film serves as a chilling reminder of how seemingly idyllic encounters can quickly spiral into the unfathomable, much like a well-mixed green liqueur that initially tastes delightful but leaves a bitter aftertaste.


People who are attempting to foster friendships from their summer vacation may want to reconsider after viewing the movie “Speak No Evil.

The movie, helmed by writer-director James Watkins, serves as a polished reinterpretation of the 2022 Danish film with the same name. The story unfolds in a Tuscan hotel, where an uptight American family – Ben (Scoot McNairy), Louise (Mackenzie Davis), and their 11-year-old daughter Agnes (Alix West Lefler) – meet an outgoing, high-spirited Englishman named Paddy (James McAvoy), along with his wife Ciara (Aisling Franciosi) and son Ant (Dan Hough).

The ant in this movie appears to have trouble communicating due to its naturally short tongue, but as viewers, we quickly realize that not everything is what it seems in this film. Despite our initial understanding, it takes us on a more and more thrilling journey.

Speak No Evil review: Strap in for an exhilarating ride with mad McAvoy

Speak No Evil review: Strap in for an exhilarating ride with mad McAvoy
Speak No Evil review: Strap in for an exhilarating ride with mad McAvoy
Speak No Evil review: Strap in for an exhilarating ride with mad McAvoy

In London, where they reside, the Americans frequently travel to the countryside of the West to see their newly acquired friends. Over time, their hosts appear increasingly peculiar or even strange, bordering on being utterly bizarre.

There’s a faint hiss of comedy throughout, like gas escaping from somewhere although you’re not sure where, plus some wry lines — ‘our normal is not their normal!’ — about the differences between Americans and Brits.

Additionally, there’s a subtle lesson hidden within this rather eccentric tale: just as the delicious green drink seemed perfect when enjoyed under the sun, friendships made during vacation may not endure the journey home.

Speak No Evil review: Strap in for an exhilarating ride with mad McAvoy
Speak No Evil review: Strap in for an exhilarating ride with mad McAvoy

Revival revolves around the gripping, emotional story of John and Mary, skillfully portrayed by Jared Harris and Juliet Stevenson, who have spent a decade searching for their daughter Clare, who ran away at age 14.

Later on, it appears as if Clare (Erin Doherty) has arrived, but John insists that it can’t be her. However, Mary is convinced it is.

Although writer-director Virginia Gilbert somewhat falls short in maintaining the unquestionable authenticity (it seems unlikely for one not to recognize their 14-year-old child at age 24), the compelling acting performances manage to hold the story together.

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2024-09-13 02:33

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