‘Speak No Evil’ is a family drama disguised as horror-thriller

CEBU, Philippines —  “Speak No Evil” has all the components of a family drama: a married couple on the brink of separation and a child who plays a significant role in the parents’ dynamic. They embark on a journey that could either make or break their marriage, potentially serving as a lesson to viewers.

But there’s a twist that sets this latest film from Universal Pictures and Blumhouse Productions apart: it’s also a horror-thriller.

One lesson the movie, now showing in Philippine cinemas, delivers is not to trust strangers too easily – a warning meant not just for kids but for adults as well.

“Speak No Evil” centers on an American family (Mackenzie Davis, Scoot McNairy, and child actress Alix West Lefler) who meet an offbeat British couple (James McAvoy, Aisling Franciosi) and their mute child (Dan Hough) during a holiday in Italy.

After their vacation, the American family, living in London and facing serious problems, receives an invite from the British couple to spend a weekend at their countryside residence outside London. Hoping the trip will help patch things up, they accept.

Things feel off as soon as the American family arrives at their residence. They’re served a goose meal despite one of them being a vegetarian. Their bed is stained, and they’re expected to adjust to spontaneous plans, including one activity that doesn’t include their children. Strangest of all is the borderline abusive way the British parents treat their mute child.

“Speak No Evil” is a remake of a Danish film released in 2022. This raised questions about whether an American version is needed especially since the original was primarily in English. However, with direction and a script by James Watkins, this remake justifies its existence by offering a different interpretation of the story and its themes.

As the British couple’s behavior grows increasingly odd, the movie shifts from family drama to thriller, with one of the American characters uncovering the sinister intentions behind their hospitality.

Without giving too much away, this 2024 remake changes the original’s pessimistic ending. While this choice might raise eyebrows among fans of the Danish original, the new trajectory aligns with the themes the American remake wants to explore without delving into the bleakness of its predecessor.

McAvoy steals the spotlight with his performance as the ominous patriarch, Paddy, who tests the American family’s limits and patience, his unnerving personality making them second-guess their decision to stay with people they barely know.

Hollywood remakes are often easy to dismiss, but there’s a lot to appreciate in this Americanized “Speak No Evil,” making it a gripping, nail-biting experience for nearly two hours. It’s best to pair this with the original Danish film to see how their approach to its themes was interpreted differently in consideration of cultural differences. Three and a half stars out of five.