Genre: Drama, psychological thriller, horror
Speak No Evil is a gripping psychological thriller that perfectly balances tension and intrigue.
The simple premise is made captivating by exceptional acting by all actors, great music choices that perfectly elevate the scenes and keep the viewer unsettled and entertained throughout the film.
The story follows an American family that is invited to spend the weekend at the idyllic country estate of a charming British family they befriended on vacation.
What begins as a dream holiday soon turns into a psychological nightmare.
As the weekend progresses, they realise that their hosts are not as kind and genuine as they portray themselves to be.
The slow-burn narrative keeps the viewer on edge, building suspense in a way that feels both organic and chilling.
While the slow start to the film may seem a bit stagnant, these moments are where foreshadowing cues can be found that will make sense later on in the film.
The film is a remake of a 2022 film by the same name, and follows mostly the same format, with the biggest change being the nationalities of the characters and the ending is different too.
All the actors give exceptional performances, but the standout star is James McAvoy, who thrives as the antagonist in thriller films because of his immense talent for evoking suspense and unease in his approach to portraying the twisted psychology of his characters.
His performance is what makes the film such an amazing viewing experience.
Dan Hough, who plays Ant, is also a great actor despite his youth. He is able to give an exceptional portrayal of fear, despair, desperation and panic, with limited dialogue which bodes well for a future career of great esteem.
While some of the plot points in the final act are questionable, this does not impede on the overall enjoyment of the film, which is squeamish, freaky, and twisted throughout — as any good suspense thriller should be.
The European locations where the film is shot are stunning and will almost distract you from the chilling nature of the film.
Psychological thriller lovers and fans of McAvoy will enjoy this one.
Speak No Evil is currently showing at Hemingways Movies.
