Holidaying in the idyllic Italian countryside, the reserved Ben (Scoot McNairy) and Louise (Mackenzie Davis) Dalton begin a friendship with the outspoken Paddy (James McAvoy) and Ciara (Aisling Franciosi) over lunch. Paddy and Ciara’s son Ant (Dan Hough) has a disability and finds trouble making friends but seems to get along with the Daltons daughter Agnes (Slix West Lefler) As the week away winds down and the friendship runs its course Paddy and Ciara sense something amiss with Ben and Louise and offer an open invitation to join them on their property for some time away from the hustle of busy London life.
After some initial reservations, Ben and Louise decide some time away from their problems might help them to work through the issues creeping into their marriage and give Agnes a new perspective on her new surroundings and some time with her new friend Ant.
On arriving at the country manor small things start to set off alarm bells with Louise making her question why they are there and what are the real intentions of Paddy and Ciara. Most can be attributed to the vast divide between those living a country lifestyle and those more accustomed to city life but it is when Louise, a devout vegetarian, is forced to eat a prized goose after many attempts at refusal you begin to wonder just where the next few days will lead.
Speak No Evil is a remake of the 2022 Danish film of the same name that has received numerous accolades for its fear and tension building. Thankfully this has stayed clear of the full blown “hollywood” remake and keeps it rooted in its simplistic style and small claustrophobic locations adding to the tension. James McAvoy has been let loose in one of his best performances of late. He plays Paddy with ease switching from an intelligent, persuasive conversation to unhinged, brutal and down right cruel at the flick of a switch, before turning on the charm again to almost guilt the Daltons into hanging around a little longer.
Unfortunately for most of the film I found the rest of the characters very frustrating, especially Ben, and I think that is the point of it. As the film progresses we start to see some themes come to the fore which are very much rooted in today’s society. Difference of opinions on veganism and the electric car debate or the ever present fear of offending someone and looking good for social media. These themes were ever present but had very little effect on me resulting in a sense of awkwardness as opposed to the normal building of tension you would expect from a Blumhouse thriller.
The final act is well worth the wait as See No Evil explodes into a violent bloody tale of home invasion that has been flipped on its head. The Daltons are not in their home but similarly fighting for their lives. Paddy completely opening up to his true intentions and the inventive ways he goes about getting what he wants is frightening in a way that remains rooted in reality while leaving you questioning the sanity of you and the rest of the audience at the scenes you uncontrollably laughed at.
Speak No Evil has some surprisingly funny moments while building an uncomfortable and awkward experience that we don’t often see on film of late. It’s a good ride, but not a great one and while I enjoyed my experience I won’t be rushing out to see it again. It is one to be seen with a full audience but this will be a movie that only resonates with those thrill lovers looking for something different. Performances are on point all round with a surprising performance from the two youngest stars as they help progress the story in the background, with very little dialogue too. Brilliantly done.
Speak No Evil is releasing in Australian cinemas 12th September.
