Speak No Evil (2024)

Speak No Evil follows the tradition of an American remake of a foreign film that softens up the corners and delivers a more palatable ending. There, I ruined it for you. This Speak No Evil doesn't end on the bleak way its source does and it is far less brutal in its execution. Without knowing about the first film, this version is a tense and unsettling story with an ending that points to a better future for our heroes, perhaps learning how to be better for each other. However those who appreciate the original dark version may find this one a bit apologist. 

I still appreciated quite a bit about the film, the main thing being what it says about masculinity. Speak No Evil provides us with two examples of "manliness", two characters wrestling with how their roles as men impact how they treat others and see themselves. The film cleverly makes us question McNairy's Ben, who has lost his footing and feels literally cuckolded. Contrasted with McAvoy's Paddy, a blustery and domineering version of manhood who appears to have all the desired qualities of manliness we are almost lulled into seeing him as superior. Ben is even drawn to the affirming reinforcement that Paddy demonstrates despite the red flags appearing here and there. Just as many men today are drawn to truly toxic ideas of masculinity as they flounder to figure out who they can be. But as Speak No Evil moves along it shows us just how twisted and toxic that understanding of things is. Ben and his partner Louise (Davis) must work together, must be honest with each other and respect each other's strengths and weaknesses to survive. In doing so it shows us why Ben's masculinity is truly superior in the end. In this way the film's more optimistic ending makes sense and is more satisfying. This Speak No Evil isn't as nihilistic and perhaps a bit redemptive. 

I also appreciated McAvoy's performance. It easily could have descended into caricature yet he holds it just together but right on the edge. He is a villain but the film's need to make his attractive in different ways requires the level of acting that McAvoy is delivering here. No question he's a monster, but it is why that sort of monster might be appealing to many is what the film explores. And that is interesting. 

The film itself falls into some fairly typical thriller tropes. There are cliches and coincidences that are needed to make the story just logically make sense which sometimes make it feel a little manipulated. But despite this it still feels tense and unsettling throughout. 

So understand this is a very different take on the story and one that offers a different experience. Not better or worse, just different. Perhaps that's as good a reason as any to remake a film. 

Speak No Evil

Starring: James McAvoy, Mackenzie Davis, Scoot McNairy, Aisling Franciosi, Alex West Lefler, Dan Hough

Writer/Director: James Watkins