SPEAK NO EVIL (2024)

 

It takes a lot of inspiration these days for me to drag my sluggish self into a theater to see a current film. My movie room is much too comfortable and private. No distractions, no unwanted human contact and no inflated prices for popcorn. And no ringing, flashing, beeping cell phones except for mine.

Of course, laziness isn't the only reason I tend to venture out to theaters less frequently. There aren't that many modern films that interest me enough to make the effort, and many of the films I have seen in recent years have been disappointing. This trend was happening long before the pandemic lockdown. I find myself appreciating the cultural past so much that it's easy to ignore the cultural present. 

Recently, however, I was intrigued by a positive review of the 2024 thriller SPEAK NO EVIL. The review was written by film critic/scholar Chuck Koplinski for our local newspaper. Chuck is also the instructor of many of the film classes I've taken, and I have a lot of respect for his opinions, even though we sometimes disagree. His review of SPEAK NO EVIL made it sound like the kind of "slow burn" thriller I appreciate. Directed by James Watkins (WOMAN IN BLACK 2012), the film is a remake of the 2022 Danish film of the same name. Knowing nothing about the film or the director, I decided to give it a chance.

The story involves an American couple, Louise and Ben Dalton (Mackenzie Davis and Scoot McNairy), and their young daughter, Agnes (Alix West-Lefler). Living in London, and going through personal and professional challenges, the family is taking a vacation in Italy. While there, they become friends with another couple, Paddy and Ciara, (James MacAvoy and Aisling Franciosi) and their young son, Ant (Dan Hough), also vacationers from England. Ant is unable to speak, and his father said the boy has a deformity which caused his tongue not to grow to normal size. 

Paddy and Ciara. Would you go on vacation with these people?

The Daltons enjoy the company of their new companions, but are occasionally taken aback by their odd behavior, usually that of Paddy. Nevertheless, after the vacation has ended, and the Daltons are back in London, they decide to accept an invitation from Paddy and Ciara to spend a weekend at their remote country house. Although the visit starts out well, the Daltons are increasingly disturbed and puzzled by the strange actions and passive-aggressive behavior of their hosts. Gradually, they find out exactly why Paddy and Ciara invited them.

I don't want to give away any spoilers, because there are surprises in the movie that need to be experienced, not read about. The slow burn aspect is certainly at play, but the overall atmosphere of disorientation and dread begins as soon as the Daltons arrive at this isolated house and never lets up for a second. Even though the land surrounding the house is expansive, the house itself is very small and cramped, which adds to the Daltons' tension. They very quickly realize that they're trapped in the middle of nowhere with people they barely know. Their daughter, who suffers from anxiety issues, manages to become friends with the non-communicative Ant, a friendship which becomes the key to revealing the mysteries surrounding the house and the odd couple living there.

Fans of horror films won't be disappointed by what ensues in the last one-third of SPEAK NO EVIL. There's more than enough action and excitement to satisfy the modern filmgoer's thirst for the macabre. All of the contemporary horror movie elements are present: jump scares, physical pain, blunt instruments, sharp instruments, endless screaming, and enough blood to feed an audience of vampires. The entire enterprise is extremely well done, I must admit. In fact, I would almost describe the film as somewhat predictable and by-the-numbers, except for one important fact: the movie makes us care about the characters, at least the ones who end up being victimized. The story is brilliantly written and none of the characters are one dimensional. And the viewer learns that each person in that claustrophobic house is complicated, flawed, and keeping a secret.

The smiling Daltons, not having a clue what they're getting themselves into.

The film's conclusion, shocking and depressing, stays with me. I'm not terribly happy about that situation, but I guess it means the filmmakers accomplished what they set out to do: shock people and leave them depressed for weeks. My understanding is that the original Danish film had a different ending, although not necessarily less downbeat. Maybe one day I'll search out the original film and find out.

The acting by all the players is excellent, kids included. I wasn't familiar with any of them, but when I looked them up on IMDB, I realized I had seen some of them in other films. James MacAvoy is the standout, and his character, Paddy, is the most difficult and multi-layered character in the film. MacAvoy rises to the challenge. He is at times supportive and loving, and at other times a seductive trickster. But he always conveys the possibility of becoming suddenly dangerous, even when he's being friendly and supporting, until his character finally explodes with violence. MacAvoy crosses all those emotional lines brilliantly. But the other actors don't pale in comparison. Davis and McNairy are called upon to be desperate, terrified, and heroic, while being torn apart by their own inner demons and fragile marital relationship. Franciosi is somewhat in the background for most of the film, a smiling, beguiling image of exotic beauty who is difficult to read. But when she's called upon to display her character's weirdness, she doesn't hold anything back.

SPEAK NO EVIL will only consume 110 minutes of your life. Before you know it, you'll be walking out of the theater lobby, depressed beyond belief and searching for your car. The film is apparently quite popular. The budget was only $15,000,000, and so far, the box office has collected nearly $60,000,000. Be forewarned: there are a lot of depressed individuals walking around out there. As for me, I'm safely back in the movie room, binging on Shirley Temple and Doris Day, just to take the edge off.

Go see this movie. You have nothing to lose but your good mood.