Speak No Evil remake less bleak than its counterpart, but still plenty tense

Theatrical Movie Review - Horror/Thriller

American remakes of foreign language films, particularly horror films, are nothing new. Probably the most well-known is the 2002 American remake “The Ring” from the Japanese original “Ringu.” In 2022, Danish writer and director Christian Tafdrup released the psychological horror film “Speak No Evil.” Now, James Watkins is putting his spin on the story with a remake for the Blumhouse studio. 

When Ben Dalton (Scoot McNairy), along with his wife Louise (Makenzie Davis) and daughter Agnes (Alix West Lefler), take a vacation to Italy, they meet another family. Paddy (James McAvoy), Ciara (Aisling Franciosi), and Ant (Dan Hough) are a vivacious, fun-loving family compared to the anxious-prone Daltons. The group finds camaraderie during the week they spend together, and when they return home, the Daltons are almost immediately invited to spend a week with their new-found friends. As the week progresses, an escalating stream of strange events creates a sense of unease among the Dalton family until things begin to spin out of control.

I walked into this film with some hesitation. The Danish version has elements that would not translate to an American remake, so there were concerns that it would be unable to build tension similarly. However, Watkins created a compelling and eerie version that will thrill viewers who choose to see this.

One of the things that makes this film work so well is the setting. The two families are in a house with a low ceiling and just enough clutter to make it hard to navigate, all of which make it feel close and claustrophobic. This contrasts with Paddy’s home being located on a vast piece of land that makes it seem incredibly isolated. These opposing senses keep the Daltons and, as a result, the viewers off-balance throughout.

The performances are a bit uneven in this, but when they are good, they are exceptional. McNairy and Lefler come across as a bit flat. Davis is an absolute hero in this and gives one of the best action performances in the movie, as does Franciosi. McAvoy, however, is a powerhouse. His ability to shift from a congenial dad and best friend to a terrifying menace is as simple as a shift in his eyes and jawline. It is a masterful performance. But this movie hinges on Hough's performance, and despite his character's lack of dialogue, he absolutely delivers.

One of the least effective aspects of this film is the central theme about the danger of doing things just because someone more forceful tells you to do them. It’s present, but it feels like it gets drowned out by some of the more tense aspects. 

There will always be some questions surrounding a remake. Is it necessary? Does it add anything? Does it discourage people from watching foreign language films? I ask myself those questions when watching something like “Speak No Evil.” But Watkins stepped up with some decisive answers. The changes made between this and the original overwhelmingly work. I’d still encourage folks to watch the original, but this is a fun time at the movies.

This review originally appeared in The Dominion Post on September 15, 2024.