Speak No Evil

Definitely worth viewing at the cinema - had such a blast watching this film!

The slow start is never boring as it carefully lets out clues that there's something deeply wrong going on, although you can't yet pinpoint what it is. You, as well as the guests, want to like those characters, even though they seem more and more obnoxious, and you wouldn't dare to be rude.

I was surprised at how much humor there is in this, yet it doesn't undermine the tension, that builds up like fire throughout the film. On the contrary, it makes it all more eerie and unsettling.

Without realising, you've been on the edge of your seat the whole time, just waiting for the inevitable to happen, yet praying that it doesn't. And then, when it's finally all loose, the third act pays off handsomely.

Mcavoy is insanely good in this movie and his range is what fuels the several emotions you go through while watching. The film revolves around him, around his ability to hook both the characters and the viewer, only to scare them out of their minds.

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.

A holiday overseas with wife and daughter, leads to friendship (with another family of three) when out on a sunny saunter, back at home a card arrives, come and see how well we thrive, spend a night or three within, our bricks and mortar. You take up the invitation and set off, unaware of just how this couple like to trough, or indeed how they behave, and the trinkets that they crave, if you did, it may just cause a mighty scoff. It's fair to say that your encounter's like no other, it doesn't end in the same way as Danish brother (or sister), which is a shame as that was better, it was unshackled and unfettered, leaving the viewer with more than, drainpipes and a gutter.

James McAvoy is brilliant, alas the ending isn't - watch the Danish version for that.

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 :))

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)