Speak No Evil

Directed by James Watkins, Speak No Evil follows an American couple (Scoot McNairy’s Ben and Mackenzie Davis’ Louise) as they befriend James McAvoy’s Paddy and Aisling Franciosi’s Ciara during a European vacation – with trouble ensuing after it becomes clear that Paddy and Ciara aren’t quite as benevolent as they initially appeared. Filmmaker Watkins, armed with his own script, delivers a slightly overlong yet perpetually watchable thriller that does, at the outset, hew quite close to its 2022 Danish predecessor, and there’s little doubt, as a result, that the picture isn’t quite as captivating or enthralling in its initial stages as one might’ve hoped – although, by that same token, it’s clear that the superb performances and underlying tension go a long way towards sustaining the viewer’s interest throughout. (McAvoy, in terms of the former, offers up completely spellbinding work that remains an obvious, ongoing highlight within the proceedings.) It’s clear, then, that Speak No Evil improves considerably once it progresses into a thoroughly satisfying third act rife with visceral, violent interludes, which ensures that the movie concludes on an engrossing (albeit unapologetically conventional) note that cements its place as a superior remake.

***1/2 out of ****