Speak No Evil (2024): The Unexpected Blend of Comedy, Satire, and Horror

Speak No Evil is a 2024 American psychological horror film directed and written by James Watkins. This film is a remake of a 2022 Danish original. 

Featuring a cast that includes James McAvoy, Mackenzie Davis, Aisling Franciosi, Alix West Lefler, Dan Hough, and Scoot McNairy, the story revolves around an American family invited to a secluded farmhouse by a British couple they met on vacation. As the weekend progresses, the family discovers that their hosts have far more malevolent intentions than initially apparent. 

The film is produced by Jason Blum through Blumhouse Productions.

Speak No Evil debuted at the DGA Theater in New York City on September 9, 2024, and was subsequently released in the U.S. by Universal Pictures on September 13, 2024.

Plot Summary

During a vacation in Italy, American couple Louise and Ben Dalton, along with their daughter Agnes, befriend the British couple Paddy and Ciara and their son Ant. 

Back in London, Louise and Ben are struggling with personal issues, including Ben's unemployment and Louise’s infidelity. They receive an invitation from Paddy and Ciara to spend a weekend at their remote farmhouse in the countryside. 

Hoping a change of environment might benefit them and ease Agnes's anxiety, the family decides to accept.

Upon arrival, the Daltons are warmly welcomed but soon grow uneasy due to unsettling incidents and the passive-aggressive behavior of their hosts. 

Louise is particularly disturbed by Paddy and Ciara’s harsh treatment of Ant, who has a condition that affects his ability to communicate. One evening, while the adults dine out, a babysitter named Muhjid looks after Agnes and Ant. During a game of hide and seek, Ant shows Agnes a collection of watches and a cryptic message but is unable to explain further.

At dinner, Paddy mocks Louise's vegetarianism and performs a shocking act with Ciara, further disturbing the Daltons. 

Returning home, Louise finds Agnes in bed with a drunken Paddy and Ciara. Horrified, the family attempts to leave, but they are forced back when Agnes realizes she left behind her stuffed rabbit.

When they retrieve the toy, Paddy and Ciara apologize and accuse the Daltons of judgment. 

Despite deciding to stay in order to maintain peace, the Daltons continue to experience unsettling behavior. After witnessing Paddy's violent outburst towards Ant, Ant reveals to Agnes that his ‘parents’ are serial killers who lure families to their farmhouse, rob, and kill them, using the stolen tongues to assist in attracting new victims. Ant shows Agnes that this gruesome fate befell his own family, and Paddy and Ciara plan to make the Daltons their next victims. 

Agnes manages to warn her parents discreetly, and the family decides to escape and alert the authorities.

Paddy and Ciara, realizing their scheme is uncovered, damage the Daltons' car and hide Agnes’s stuffed rabbit to delay their departure. When the Daltons finally manage to leave, Paddy throws Ant into a pond, but Ben rescues him. 

Soon after, the family is captured by Paddy and Ciara, who force them to transfer their savings before preparing to kill them and cut out Agnes's tongue. A struggle ensues, during which Paddy is injured. The family and Ant flee into the house, where Louise kills an accomplice named Mike. The family takes refuge on the roof, and in the chaos, Ciara falls to her death.

As they attempt to escape, Paddy holds Agnes at gunpoint. Agnes manages to incapacitate Paddy with a syringe of ketamine. As the family prepares to leave, Ant confronts his former ‘father.’ After Paddy acknowledges his fate with a chilling comment, Ant exacts revenge by beating him to death with a brick. 

The Daltons and Ant leave the farmhouse, and as they drive away, Agnes offers her stuffed bunny to Ant, who quietly sobs, hinting at the trauma that remains.

James McAvoy and Aisling Franciosi in Speak No Evil (2024)

Introduction: A Genre-Bending Experience

At first glance, the trailer for Blumhouse’s remake of Speak No Evil, based on the 2022 Danish film of the same name, might suggest a traditional horror film with a slew of grisly moments and terrifying jump scares. 

However, this new adaptation is far more complex, weaving together elements of dark comedy, psychological thriller, and biting satire. 

What may appear as a straight-up horror movie is actually an intricate narrative that plays with genre conventions and expectations, making it a standout entry in the realm of psychological cinema.

The Premise: An Unsettling Invitation

Speak No Evil centres around an American family, the Daltons, who relocate to London and are invited to a weekend getaway at the countryside estate of an eccentric British couple they met on vacation. What begins as a seemingly innocent trip soon takes a disturbing turn, revealing layers of discomfort and escalating tension. 

The film explores the dark side of social niceties and the perils of politeness, drawing viewers into a tale where every awkward moment and passive-aggressive remark becomes a harbinger of deeper, more sinister intentions.

A Comparison: British Get Out?

The film has been likened to the British version of Get Out due to its unsettling and satirical approach to social dynamics. 

While both films tackle themes of race, class, and social discomfort, Speak No Evil differentiates itself through a unique blend of psychological tension and dark humor. 

Unlike Get Out’s more overt social commentary, this film’s satire is subtler but no less impactful, using the British setting and cultural differences to amplify the sense of unease.

Character Dynamics: A Study in Contrasts

James McAvoy's Chilling Performance

James McAvoy delivers a standout performance as Paddy, the seemingly charming yet profoundly unsettling patriarch of the British family. 

His portrayal of Paddy is both magnetic and disquieting, blending charisma with a menacing undercurrent. McAvoy’s ability to oscillate between warmth and hostility adds layers to his character, making Paddy one of the most complex and memorable villains of recent cinema. 

His performance echoes the manipulative charm of classic horror villains while also providing a modern twist.

The Daltons: Scoot McNairy and Mackenzie Davis

Scoot McNairy and Mackenzie Davis play Ben and Louise Dalton, a couple whose strained relationship becomes increasingly apparent as they navigate the uncomfortable situations presented by their hosts. McNairy’s portrayal of Ben is a study in passive aggression and internal conflict, while Davis’s Louise grapples with frustration and increasing anxiety. 

Their performances are both nuanced and relatable, drawing viewers into their emotional turmoil and making the escalating horror feel personal.

Themes: The Dark Side of Politeness

The central theme of Speak No Evil revolves around the perils of maintaining social etiquette in the face of outright hostility. 

The film critiques how societal norms can sometimes mask underlying malevolence, illustrating how politeness can become a trap that enables and conceals true danger. 

This exploration of social compliance is portrayed through a series of increasingly disturbing events that highlight the consequences of ignoring one’s instincts.

A Journey from Awkward to Horrific

The narrative progresses from subtle discomfort to outright terror, as the Daltons’ polite reluctance to confront their hosts’ odd behavior slowly unravels into a full-blown horror scenario. 

From bizarre dinner table interactions to unsettling revelations, the film builds tension through a gradual escalation of events. 

The final act is a gripping, gory confrontation that pays off the mounting suspense with a climax that is as shocking as it is satisfying.

Critical Reception: A Modern Thrill Ride

Speak No Evil has been described as a modern thrill ride that successfully blends horror with dark comedy. The film’s unique approach has drawn comparisons to classic medium-budget thrillers from the 1980s and ’90s, such as The Hand That Rocks the Cradle and Fatal Attraction. 

Its ability to maintain a balance between humor and horror has earned it praise for its originality and effectiveness.

Audience Reactions and Theatrical Experience

Viewing Speak No Evil in a packed theater is an experience not to be missed. The film’s ability to elicit cringe-worthy reactions, edge-of-your-seat tension, and genuine laughter makes it a perfect choice for a communal movie-going experience. 

The audience’s visceral reactions enhance the film’s impact, turning it into a shared journey through discomfort and dread.

The Endings: Divergence Between Versions

The American Remake vs. The Danish Original

While the Blumhouse remake retains the core premise of the Danish original, it diverges significantly in terms of tone and resolution. The American version offers a more extended and action-packed climax, providing the Daltons with a chance to confront their assailants more directly. 

In contrast, the Danish film concludes with a bleaker, more ambiguous ending that leaves a lasting impact on the viewer.

Spoilers and Final Revelations

In the American remake, the final confrontation is marked by intense violence and a dramatic resolution where the surviving characters fight back against their tormentors. 

The Danish original, on the other hand, ends on a darker note, with the antagonists’ malevolence culminating in a tragic and brutal finale.

Cast

- Mackenzie Davis as Louise Dalton

- Scoot McNairy as Ben Dalton

- Alix West Lefler as Agnes Dalton

- Dan Hough as Ant

- James McAvoy as Paddy

- Aisling Franciosi as Ciara

- Kris Hichen as Mike

- Motaz Mulhees as Muhjid

Production

James Watkins wrote and directed this remake for Blumhouse Productions. Principal photography took place in Croatia and Gloucester, England, starting in May and was expected to wrap in July, but was interrupted by the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. 

Production resumed in the UK in mid-November, with filming in Malvern Hills, Worcestershire.

Release

The film premiered at the DGA Theater in New York City on September 9, 2024, and was released in U.S. theatres by Universal Pictures on September 13, 2024.

Box Office

In North America, Speak No Evil debuted alongside other films and is projected to earn between $10–13 million in its opening weekend. 

The film grossed $4.9 million on its first day, including $1.3 million from Thursday previews.

Critical Response

On Rotten Tomatoes, Speak No Evil holds an 85% approval rating based on 143 reviews, with an average score of 6.7/10. 

The consensus states: "Harnessing sick suspense from the glimmer in James McAvoy's eye, Speak No Evil is the rare remake that hushes up concerns of 'been there, done that.'" Metacritic assigns a score of 66 out of 100, indicating "generally favorable" reviews from 40 critics.

Conclusion: A Must-Watch for Genre Enthusiasts

Speak No Evil is a film that defies simple categorization, offering a unique blend of comedy, satire, and psychological horror. Its exploration of social dynamics, combined with standout performances and a gripping narrative, makes it a standout entry in contemporary cinema. 

Whether you’re a fan of horror, psychological thrillers, or dark comedy, this film promises a viewing experience that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.