Speak no evil

Speak No Evil offers an American remake of Christian Tafdrup's 2022 Danish horror film, while unfortunately flattening some of the darker aspects of the original material. Whereas Tafdrup's original film was a chilling exploration of social conformity and passive complicity, James Watkins' version sacrifices much of the acute psychological tension for more traditional horror thrills.

At the center of this remake is the character of Paddy, played by James McAvoy, whose larger-than-life personality dominates the screen. James McAvoy's performance is intense, his charismatic, volatile nature masking an underlying menace that keeps audiences on the edge of their seats. He takes the sinister Patrick of the original film and transforms him into a more overtly menacing figure, relying on an energy that is all arrogance and unpredictability. However, this change robs the narrative of the gradual build-up of dread that made the original film so terrifying. Instead of feeling the walls slowly closing in, as was the case in Fedja van Huêt's portrayal, we're made to expect danger almost from the start.

Mackenzie Davis and Scoot McNairy play Louise and Ben Dalton, an American couple struggling with their own problems when they meet Paddy and his wife Ciara (Aisling Franciosi) on vacation in Italy. Mackenzie Davis and Scoot McNairy both deliver solid performances, with Davis playing a woman increasingly suspicious of her hosts, while Ben struggles to assert himself against Paddy's domineering presence. Their dynamic - strained by marital problems - is at the heart of the film, and the actors manage to keep the audience invested in their situation, even as the tension mounts towards a familiar but inevitable denouement.

One of the most significant differences from the original lies in the film's pace and structure. James Watkins opts for a more rapid descent into horror, sacrificing the slow malaise that made Christian Tafdrup's version so unsettling. The moments of social awkwardness, when you want to scream at the characters to leave, are still present but don't linger long enough to induce that shudder-inducing unease. Instead, the film quickly moves into more traditional horror territory, building a third act that relies on slasher conventions, with chases, explosions of violence and a cathartic confrontation.

This emphasis on action rather than psychology diminishes the thematic depth of the original. Whereas Christian Tafdrup's film explored the terrifying consequences of polite inaction - how we can be complicit in our own downfall through our desire not to offend - James Watkins' remake focuses on survival. The psychological exploration of power dynamics, particularly between Ben and Paddy, is replaced by more conventional, less intellectually engaging physical confrontations.

Aisling Franciosi's portrayal of Ciara adds another layer of tension, but her character lacks the mysterious allure of her Danish counterpart. She's more of a traditional horror accomplice, actively aiding Paddy's sadism rather than subtly manipulating their guests. This change reflects a more general tendency in the remake to spell things out more clearly for the audience, removing some of the ambiguity that made the original so spellbinding.

The farmhouse setting is also more obviously ominous whenever it comes into view, contrasting with the more subdued menace of the Dutch countryside in the original film. Tim Maurice-Jones' cinematography captures the English countryside beautifully, but the shabby-chic aesthetic of the house is a little too explicit in its creepiness, leaving little to the imagination.

Speak No Evil is a genre film that showcases James McAvoy's ability to embody unhinged, unpredictable characters, but it loses the thematic richness of Christian Tafdrup's original work. By relying on slasher and survival elements, it becomes more accessible but less profound. For those who haven't seen the Danish version, it's still a suspenseful, if somewhat predictable, horror experience. However, for fans of the original, James Watkins' film can come across as speaking too loudly, whereas the real terror lies in what is left unsaid.

Speak no evil
Written and directed by James Watkins
Based on Speak No Evil by Christian Tafdrup, Mads Tafdrup
Produced by Jason Blum, Paul Ritchie
Starring James McAvoy, Mackenzie Davis, Aisling Franciosi, Alix West Lefler, Dan Hough, Scoot McNairy
Cinematography : Tim Maurice-Jones
Edited by Jon Harris
Music: Danny Bensi, Saunder Jurriaans
Production company: Blumhouse Productions
Distributed by Universal Pictures (France, USA)
Release date: September 13, 2024 (U.S.), September 19, 2024 (France)
Running time: 110 minutes

Seen on September 7, 2024 at the Deauville Casino Theater

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