MOVIE REVIEW | Speak No Evil – James McAvoy delivers a chilling performance as Paddy, a seemingly carefree host whose eerie transformation is reminiscent of his role as Kevin Wendell Crumb in Split and Glass.
Speak No Evil starts as a slow-burn psychological drama, eventually escalating into a high-stakes thriller with a violent climax that compensates for its sluggish opening.
The plot centers around an American family—Louise, Ben, and their daughter Agnes—who are invited for a weekend at the countryside estate of a charming British couple, Paddy and Ciara, whom they met while on vacation. What begins as a dream getaway soon spirals into a psychological nightmare, revealing far darker intentions beneath the surface.
The film’s first act is overly dedicated to setting up the American family’s relationship with their hosts, with about 75% of the runtime spent on slow narrative exposition. While it’s necessary to establish how the families become intertwined, this extended setup drags on for too long, offering little insight into the danger lurking beneath Paddy’s charming exterior. Although we see brief hints of his odd behavior, McAvoy’s character initially comes across as an affable, normal guy, and the tension doesn’t begin to build until much later. The result is a somewhat dull and uneventful first hour, where the characters seem to be simply enjoying each other’s company.
The film’s central couple, Louise and Ben, are disappointingly bland and lack the depth needed to make the audience root for them.
Apart from the fact that they have a daughter, there’s little to make them compelling or sympathetic. As the tension builds, it becomes hard to fully invest in their survival, which diminishes the emotional impact of the film’s later moments.
However, once the horror element kicks in, Speak No Evil takes a sharp turn. The realization that Paddy and Ciara are not who they seem triggers an intense, adrenaline-fueled game of cat and mouse that is both shocking and brutally violent. The film’s climax is gripping, leaving viewers on edge until the final, unsettling moments.
Ultimately, Speak No Evil is a film of two halves: a drawn-out, somewhat tedious beginning, followed by a thrilling and terrifying conclusion.
McAvoy’s performance is a standout, and the final act delivers enough suspense to make up for the slow start. While the first hour may be skippable, the payoff in the film’s last stretch is well worth the wait.
Link to Universal Pictures HERE
MOVIE REVIEW | Speak No Evil
TV Central Movie Reviews HERE
Rating
Aaron: 6 / 10 “a very slow start builds to an adrenaline filled climax”
Zak: 5 / 10 “a first half bomb and a second half action explosion”
@universalpicsau
Cinema Experience:
Tucked away on the outskirts of Perth’s CBD, The Backlot offers a unique and intimate cinema experience. With just 50 seats, this private screening room provides a cozy yet upscale atmosphere, complete with a stylish lounge and fully stocked bar, making it a standout venue for film lovers.
What sets The Backlot apart is its personalized service. During my visit, the host went the extra mile, even providing glassware and ice with a simple soft drink purchase. Free popcorn was also a welcome touch, adding to the comfort of the evening.
However, the room’s small size can be a drawback. Sitting in the second row (out of just five rows), I found myself too close to the screen, which detracted slightly from the overall experience. Despite this, The Backlot remains a charming spot for those seeking a private, boutique cinema experience.
Viewed at The Backlot, Perth.
Speak No Evil
When an American family is invited to spend the weekend at the idyllic country estate of a charming British family they befriended on vacation, what begins as a dream holiday soon warps into a snarled psychological nightmare.
From Blumhouse, the producer of The Black Phone, Get Out and The Invisible Man, comes an intense suspense thriller for our modern age, starring BAFTA award-winner James McAvoy (Split, Glass) in a riveting performance as the charismatic, alpha-male estate owner whose untrammeled hospitality masks an unspeakable darkness.
Speak No Evil stars Mackenzie Davis (Terminator: Dark Fate, Halt and Catch Fire) and SAG award-winner Scoot McNairy (Argo, A Quiet Place Part II) as American couple Louise and Ben Dalton, who, along with their 11-year-old daughter Agnes (Alix West Lefler; The Good Nurse, Riverdale), accept the weekend-holiday invitation of Paddy (McAvoy), his wife Ciara (Aisling Franciosi; Game of Thrones, The Fall) and their furtive, mute son Ant (newcomer Dan Hough).
Written for the screen and directed by James Watkins, the writer-director of Eden Lake and the award-winning gothic ghost story The Woman in Black, Speak No Evil is based on the screenplay of the 2022 Danish horror sensation Gæsterne, written by Christian Tafdrup and Mads Tafdrup.
That film earned 11 Danish Film Awards nominations, the Danish equivalent of the Oscars.
Speak No Evil is produced by Jason Blum (Five Nights at Freddy’s, M3GAN) for Blumhouse and by Paul Ritchie (McMafia, The Ipcress File) and is executive produced by Beatriz Sequeira for Blumhouse, Jacob Jarek and Christian Tafdrup.
Director: James Watkins
Producer: Jason Blum
Producer: Paul Ritchie
Executive Producer: Beatriz Sequeira
Executive Producer: Jacob Jarek
Executive Producer: Christian Tafdrup
Cast: James McAvoy, Mackenzie Davis, Aisling Franciosi, Alix West Lefler, Dan Hough and Scott McNairy
Speak No Evil – 12 September in cinemas
