In what world is a remake ever as good as the original? Or, dare we say, better? Francine and Hayley here again, to bring you everything you need to know about James Watkins’ new film, “Speak No Evil.”
Watkins’ film is the American remake of Christian Tafdrup’s Dutch version, released in 2022. For those of you who saw the original and felt rather let down by its predictability, this remake makes up for the shortcomings. As for everyone else, we encourage you to avoid spoilers, skip the original, and catch this fresh take on the story in theaters.
Upon first glance, both films appear identical, each critiquing the stereotypical image of what it takes to be a “real man” and how ego can place not only oneself in danger, but also those near and dear. Both versions open at a fancy vacation where two couples bond over their disdain for pretentiousness. After a few drinks, they end the evening with promises “to do this again real soon,” blissfully unaware of the harm that awaits. Ben and Louise Dalton, along with their 11-year-old daughter, travel to their newfound friends’ countryside home, where the unspeakable takes place.
Tafdrup’s version spends too much time telling the viewers too little. We see tensions between husband and wife and understand the husband’s unhappiness with his life, but there’s little drive or energy in his character as the story unfolds.
However, Watkin’s version offers a far better performance from actor Scoot McNairy, whose character develops, recognizes his faults, and works in rather gruesome tandem with his wife (played by Mackenzie Davis) to escape the situation they find themselves in. Watkins does a far better job of balancing the male and female roles, emphasizing “mama bear” energy in Davis’ character, giving the film some much-needed modernization and a level of believability.
While the premise of this psychological thriller is intriguing, be warned: it’s a slow burn. Much of the film relies on the discomfort of the two families’ clashing dynamics, with the audience cringing at awkward moments while waiting for the other shoe to drop. When I (Francine) watched this movie in theaters, it was impossible to go just 10 minutes without a fellow audience member mumbling a comment about James McAvoy’s character, Paddy, or just full-out groaning in discomfort. While McAvoy’s crazy eyes did a compelling job of making the audience feel just as uncomfortable as the Dalton family, the action kicked in a little too late for our taste. About 70% of the film felt like a slow bundle of anxiety waiting to snap until the other shoe finally dropped and the last 45 minutes were action-packed!
One thing we both agree on: this is not one of those frustrating thrillers that will have you yelling “No, don’t go in there!” or throwing popcorn at the screen. While the situation escalates, the family’s reactions seem completely reasonable, making logical decisions that align with what the audience was undoubtedly urging them to do. The climax was extremely satisfying to watch play out and had us cheering for the fight everyone put up.
As controversial as it may be to say, we both agree that this remake is better than the original. We applaud director Watkins’ positive changes, McAvoy’s unhinged roles, and the film’s ability to make its audience as uncomfortable as the characters. If you crave thrillers that keep you on the edge of your seat and have you questioning everything, “Speak No Evil” is a captivating must-watch that speaks volumes with every word left unsaid.