Speak No Evil

I just watched the new version of Speak No Evil and in typical fashion the Americanized version just had to change the ending that made the original absolutely incredible to watch as a horrorholic.

I didn't hate the 2024 version but it didn't have nearly the tension of the first. It didn't make you as angry as the first. It didn't make you wanna strangle all the actors like the first. And it didn't make you feel anything for the characters like the first.

As much as you can hate stupid naivety or pure evil in characters you still felt something for all of them in the first. The first 10/10 the second 6/10. And that's generous because it wasn't as awful as it could have been but really watch the original if you really want a good movie experience that will leave you reeling instead of oh well that happened.

Topic says it all. I really was curious how Hollywood would adapt the original, as it was one of the best real-horror flicks i have seen in years and one with a message. I still rate this remake with 6 stars, because everything was good: especially the actors, the screenplay etc., but the end is awfully bad compared to the original. If the original movie (crew) had the money and the actors from the remake, then it would have been something, you would not forget in years.

Hollywood simply has no balls to do such a movie, instead it created something that is pretty fast forgotten. Moreover it completely misses the message and the feeling you have, after the ending of the original movie. So it is just a cliche ending so typical for Hollywood, it makes me sad.

I have seen the original version by mistake! I started that movie in a boring day with a need of watching a movie, horror especially and i choose this danish horror: "Speak no evil" and i was really impressed by this flick! Lots of suspense, lots of creepy scenes, dark, gritty and in a final: brutal and upsetting!

Now, i have watched this at an avanpremiere here in my country waiting something similar(i mean, duuh, it's a remake) but i have noticed that this one has more minutes in it: the original have 1hour and 37 minutes length and this one 1 hour and 50 minutes thinking they put some new scene in it but noooo! Much more talking and the movie seems more easy take on violence and brutality! The original movie was much more brutal(at least the final scene), this one it's more like a hard PG13 than an R rated one! James McAvoy give us a top notch performance and even the little girl's acting along with the little boy are very decent..but the movie missing the type of tension(there is tension in this one as well) from the original! Not a bad movie, but a mediocre one with some changes from the original! 6.5 out of 10 from me!

No I'm not talking about McAvoy, but we'll get to that.

First act: The setup is masterful. Nothing big happens this entire act, yet I found myself smiling and intrigued. It's a perfect example of how you can still create intrigue without needing action, or even worse, without having an opening scene that spoils what happens later in the movie.

Second act: Okay, now the lack of anything big happening is becoming a detriment. We should be seeing some escalation, but it just feels like a lot more setup.

Third act: Escalation finally arrives, but not enough. The potential doesn't reach the heights to make it memorable. And there are a couple of idiotic character decision. One almost made me facepalm in the theater.

As for the husband played by Scoot McNairy, I'm not sure if I've ever seen a lamer husband in my life. I know it was intentional and it didn't hurt my enjoyment, but all I kept thinking is, "Man up, you little...."

Overall, this was a mildly enjoyable, single-viewing type of movie. The reason I feel disappointed is because it could have been awesome if they "went for it" more. But McAvoy is a beast.

(1 viewing, opening night 9/12/2024)

James Mcevoy stole the show. His performance blurs the lines between being charismatic and charming to unnerving and sinister. The remake of the Danish film with the same title follows in its footsteps for most of the film however, does differ in the final act.

The original film I believe takes it to a level that makes it different and memorable. The remake struggles to get to the unhinging and downright terrifying moments in the third act that they original created (Especially the ending scene in the quarry).

However, the remake it does offer a new twist to the original. A different setting on an English farm which boasts a different type of scenery from the original as well as an American family being the guests.

This movie provides some special moments where the viewers are cringing (in a good way) at the conversations that the couples are having. Definitely makes you feel uneasy, specially when you know the nature of the hosts intentions.

I just feel like the final act was a bit too Hollywood, in the sense of the families actions and ultimate conclusion to the film. However, I will say that the remake does enough to warrant enough for its creation thoroughly helped by a special performance by James and his fellow cast members.

Enjoyable :))