Speak No Evil

A remake of the 2022 Danish gem, this version of Speak No Evil breathes new life into the thriller that will keep you in its grip and constantly guessing the motives of a mysterious family. James McAvoy delivers a chilling performance as Paddy, an arrogant alpha male whose unsettling charm masks something far darker. If you found McAvoy’s roles in Glass and Split frightening, Paddy takes things up a notch, a blend of The Beast and Bruce from Filth—a charming sociopath who keeps everyone off balance. From the outset, there’s a tension in his character, a blurred line between entertaining and threatening. Adding to the intrigue is his wife, Ciara, who shares his charm and erratic personality but displays a touch more empathy, though her Harley Quinn-like twists will reveal something more dangerous.

Their son, Dan, is a timid child who does not speak. He keeps an emotional distance from his parents, and despite his struggles, he attempts to warn the American family that all is not right — even at the risk of his own life. I couldn’t help but feel for Dan during the tense moments as he subtly tries to alert his parents’ new friends to the danger they’re in.

The American couple, Louise and Ben (Mackenzie Davis and Scoot McNairy), are having marital issues, and this is where the plot gets more intriguing, gradually peeling back the layers of their imperfect union. Their vulnerabilities make them more susceptible to Paddy’s invitation for a weekend getaway at their home in the stunning Italian countryside.

Ben, in particular, struggles with his sense of masculinity and career status, and McNairy convincingly portrays a man who can’t help but admire Paddy’s ‘man’s man’ persona—reminiscent of the Andrew Tate brand of machismo. Mackenzie Davis, on the other hand, had me cheering for Louise, as her bravery and determination to protect her family becomes the emotional core of the film.

Out of the gate, it’s a slow burn, but Speak No Evil keeps your mind engaged through the questions it raises, and between Paddy’s erratic behavior and Ben’s passive-aggressive response, we get pulled in deeper. As it unfolds into its second and third acts, the pace and tension escalate, leaving us on edge as the characters unravel their surprising, unsettling truths.