Speak No Evil

Even though McAvoy is the brightly shining star, it takes a large, cohesive team to make it all come together, and when it works like Speak No Evil does, pure nail-biting magic happens.

As lean and effective as its thriller elements are, especially in a breakneck third act, the movie is most intriguing in its subtext—an implied clash between conceptions of masculinity and the eras with which they’re associated.

The best horror remakes are not afraid to push the source material in new directions – exhibit a) The Thing; exhibit b) The Fly – and while Watkins’ movie is nowhere near the level of those masterpieces (few are), it’s shrewd, engrossing and pleasingly nasty.

This English-language horror remake can’t touch the 2022 Danish original, but it gets in its scarefest licks thanks to a smiling devil of a lead performance from James McAvoy that will creep you out big time and fry your never to a frazzle.

Director James Watkins and especially his excellent troupe of actors, adult and children alike, do a nice job of building the tension, slowly but surely. Until all bloody hell breaks loose, of course. And then, in its third act, “Speak No Evil” becomes an entertaining but routine horror flick, with predictable results.

The film’s slow-burn pace is an asset, not a flaw. Speak No Evil works best when it focuses on the Americans’ escalating fears, and collapses near the end when the psychological horror story turns into a predictable potboiler. But for a good three-quarters of the way, this Blumhouse production is an entertainingly elevated genre piece.

This hollow attempt to turn a provocative showpiece into a crowd-pleaser makes you wonder if the filmmakers are actively disdainful of the original.

It is a disturbing, thought-provoking psychological horror that grips you with its slow-burn tension and refuses to let go. It's not a film for the faint of heart, as it delves into uncomfortable truths about human nature and the dangers of ignoring red flags in the name of politeness. With strong performances, a chilling atmosphere, and a brutal, unforgettable finale, Speak No Evil cements itself as one of the most unsettling horror films of the year.

Diferente do original, essa versão de 2024, embora siga o mesmo roteiro e mesmos diálogos de seu antecessor antes de chegar no ato final, foca mais no suspense físico, no thriller, não entregando o mesmo horror psicológico dilacerante da sua contraparte dinamarquesa de 2022. James McAvoy traz uma boa composição mas isso não impede o filme de ser aquele tipo de remake de quem ninguém precisava, ninguém pediu mas traz bastante tensão. Como outros tantos parecidos com ele. Em relação ao material original, especialmente por seu ato final e sua conclusão, essa versão é um filme absolutamente diferente.

Fun and intense film, actors were good, McAvoy can perfectly play a sketchy scary guy, good story progression and flow. Only issue I had was the worthless character of the Dalton husband. Felt he was needlessly written as a coward in comparison to the strong leader wife character, a narrative that is simply over used these past several years. Solid 6/10.

"Speak No Evil" (2024) attempts to create an atmosphere of unease and tension, but it falls short of delivering a truly compelling narrative. The film builds a sense of discomfort through its awkward interactions and unsettling tone, but the overall experience leaves you wanting more.While the premise is intriguing, the execution lacks depth and fails to fully explore its themes. The characters feel underdeveloped, and the plot struggles to maintain momentum. Certain scenes feel gratuitous and exploitative, sacrificing meaningful storytelling for shock value.Ultimately, "Speak No Evil" is a forgettable film that tries to capitalize on its uncomfortable atmosphere but fails to provide a truly engaging or thought-provoking experience. It may satisfy those seeking a purely visceral experience, but viewers looking for depth and substance will likely be disappointed.

Mouais bah, c’est du thriller très classique : une gentille famille rencontre une autre famille… et il se trouve qu’il s’agit de tarés et psychopathes plus ou moins dégénérés, surtout le père ! et sa femme aussi. Et comme ils sont chez eux à la cambrousse au milieu de nulle part… qu’est-ce qu’il pourrait mal tourner ?!… En fait, à peu près tout mais ça, vous ne le saurez que dans la toute dernière demi-heure (sur 1h50 de film) ! alors autant dire que ça se traîne très sévèrement comme un hamster mort (d’ennui) dans sa cage. Il ne se passe rien, vraiment rien du tout et même en accéléré (façon Benny Hill, vous voyez) il ne se passe toujours rien. Et enfin, lorsqu’il commence à se passer quelque chose (dans la dernière demi-heure), on est déjà soûlé… et on continue donc d’accélérer plein gaz… Scotty ?! il me faut toute la puissance ! oui, on doit accélérer l’étron à fond la caisse, bordel de merde ! surtout que McAvoy est unsupportable de cabotinage de bas étage (mais bon, il a toujours été nul, ce gros con). Mais à dire vrai, je m’y attendais et je me suis risqué sur ce film de merde à cause -surtout- de la bien jolie Mackenzie Davis (faut toujours que je regarde à deux ou trois fois pour écrire son prénom d’une traite, ce prénom bizarre et inécrivable), une actrice étonnante et fort convaincante. Mais elle ne peut rien dans ce thriller qui ne propose que de l’ennui et des clichés à deux balles, hélas !