It's not merely Halloween that beckons for a spine-tingling cinematic experience; "Speak No Evil," now gracing the silver screens, serves up suspense in generous buckets, seasoned with a James McAvoy performance that will send chills down your spine. While it may not embody the iconic blend of horror and social commentary akin to "Get Out," it still manages to keep you riveted to the screen with a healthy dose of thrills.
McAvoy, the mischievous charmer from M. Night Shyamalan's "Split" and "Glass," stealthily transforms into Paddy, a British physician vacationing in the sun-kissed Tuscany with his wife, Ciara (Aisling Franciosi), and their mute son, Ant (Dan Hough), who communicates without words.
When fate intertwines their family with the Dalton clan—Louise (Mackenzie Davis), her husband Ben (Scoot McNairy), and their daughter Agnes (Alix West Lefler)—on a chance encounter, camaraderie blossoms like wildflowers. The Americans, fresh off a job loss that led them to London for a fresh start, seem to hit it off famously with the doc and his brood.
But appearances can be deceiving, and the harmonious facade shatters when Paddy's overt friendliness takes a sinister turn. McAvoy, a master at transforming a smile into a chilling grin, lingers under the camera's gaze, turning every glance into a chilling premonition.
Be warned, "Speak No Evil" is a Hollywood redux of Christian Tafdrup's 2022 Danish thriller, which boldly dissected the perils of politeness gone awry. In the original, Louise and Ben's excessive politeness led to their downfall. This time around, writer-director James Watkins ("Eden Lake," "The Woman in Black") attempts to keep audiences on the edge of their seats, but he sacrifices the original film's shocking climax that catapulted it into cult status, opting for a neatly tied, albeit disappointingly tame conclusion.
However, where "Speak No Evil" shines is in its cat-and-mouse game between McAvoy and Davis, their performances a fierce battle between the Big Bad Wolf and the protective Mother Hen. The children too, play pivotal roles, with Ant, despite his silence, valiantly trying to warn Agnes of impending doom.
McAvoy, a classically trained thespian with a magnetic screen presence (as evidenced in his Oscar-nominated role in "Atonement"), might be too talented for villainous roles, but he embodies them with chilling perfection. Witnessing him groove to the Bangles' "Eternal Flame" is enough to send shivers down your spine.
Davis, a seasoned actress with standout roles in "Tully," "Halt and Catch Fire," and the Emmy-winning "Black Mirror" episode "San Junipero," proves herself a formidable foe, matching McAvoy stride for stride in a fight that becomes Louise's defining battle.
Just when you think the Americans have narrowly escaped, a trip back to the farm for a lost toy plunges them back into terror's grasp, a horror trope as old as time. But fear not, as this fright fest subverts clichés, ensuring you're in for a thrilling, pulse-pounding ride.
For those seeking a nightmarish slumber, Tafdrup's 2022 original remains the gold standard. Yet, the 2024 remake adeptly fries your nerves, offering a satisfying scare if you're in the mood for a good fright. The choice is yours.
