“Speak No Evil” is a gripping homage to the nail-biting thrillers of the ’80s and ’90s, such as Dead Calm, No Way Out, and Blow Out. James Watkins, in his adaptation of the Danish original, creates a tension-filled experience that is both maddening and mesmerizing. It’s the kind of film that thrives on audience participation, and in the theater where I saw it, people were shouting at the screen from start to finish. The Dalton’s infuriating decisions had the entire room united in exasperation, and that’s part of what made watching the movie such a fun and collective experience.
The plot centers around an American family living in London, led by Ben (Scoot McNairy) and Louise Dalton (Mackenzie Davis), along with their daughter, Agnes. Their fragile family dynamic is further destabilized by a new couple they meet on vacation, Paddy (James McAvoy) and Ciara (Aisling Franciosi). What starts as a seemingly innocent invitation to Paddy’s countryside home quickly spirals into something darker. Watkins taps into the primal urge to shout “Get out of there!” as the Dalton’s continuously ignore glaring red flags, digging themselves deeper into a dangerous game of manipulation.
While the film’s plot is reminiscent of movies like Dead of Winter—a seemingly peaceful countryside retreat descending into chaos—the performances here, especially by McAvoy, steal the show. He strikes a balance between warmth and menace, keeping the audience guessing about his true intentions until the very end. McNairy and Davis are equally compelling, their nonverbal exchanges capturing the underlying tension of a marriage on the brink of collapse.
Much like its Danish predecessor, Speak No Evil is a slow burn, inching from discomfort to outright horror. The audience’s frustration with the Dalton family is palpable, and Watkins clearly knows how to play with that dynamic, testing how much we can handle watching a family make one bad choice after another. It’s a pressure-cooker film that amps up the tension until it finally explodes in its final act, where the Dalton’s fight for survival using anything they can find—guns, hammers, and even cleaning supplies.
If you’ve ever been frustrated by characters making dumb decisions in horror films, this movie will test your patience—but that’s also part of the fun. It’s a cautionary tale about ignoring your instincts and the dangers of social politeness, and it’s perfect for anyone who enjoys yelling at the screen in communal disbelief. Even if the Dalton’s choices leave you scratching your head, the sheer thrill of watching them unfold is worth it.
This movie is best experienced with a lively crowd on a Friday or Saturday night, where the collective groans, cheers, and exasperation make the experience unforgettable. You might leave the theater frustrated with the characters, but you’ll have a blast getting there. Speak No Evil is a wild ride and a must-watch for fans of suspense who enjoy the tension of watching people dig their own graves—figuratively and maybe even literally.
