By Universal Pictures and Blumhouse release the psychological horror thriller “Speak No Evil” this week, a UK set remake of 2022 Danish film “Gaesterne”.
Filmmaker James Watkins (“Eden Lake,” “The Woman in Black”) helms the film about an American family (Mackenzie Davis, Scoot McNairy and Alix West Lefler) who are invited by a British West Country couple (James McAvoy and Aisling Franciosi) and their mute son (Daniel Hough) to their rural house for a weekend holiday.
The hosts soon begin to test the limits of their guests as the situation escalates – initially from passive-aggressive behaviours to a dark secret related to the hosts and this cabin. This take isn’t as dark as the original, but does feature a fiery performance from McAvoy.
Reviews so far are quite good, the film clocking up an 89% (6.9/10) on Rotten Tomatoes from 61 reviews, while estimates going into the weekend suggest the film is on track to earn $10-12 million domestically in its debut.
Here’s a sampling of the reviews so far:
“Watkins’ slick direction and McAvoy’s frankly terrifying performance make this an effective, worthy if not essential entry into the “If you go out to the woods today…” creepy canon” – David Jenkins, Little White Lies
“While this might be a flashy, American production, it’s also the distinctly observational work of a British writer-director. And then there’s McAvoy, delivering one of the most impressively repugnant performances of the year.” – Clarisse Loughrey, Independent
“The story’s grimmest edges have been shorn off, despite Watkins teaming up with the Tafdrups on a retooled screenplay. Still, this alternative path is seriously unnerving in its own way.” – Stephen A. Russell, Time Out
“McAvoy carries scenes through to some memorable ends, but ‘Speak No Evil’ can’t spin much lingering tension from his performance as it heads to an obvious destination. Instead, the driving performance of the film ends up coming from McNairy.” – J. Kim Murphy, Variety
“Speak No Evil works best when it focuses on the Americans’ escalating fears, and collapses near the end… But for a good three-quarters of the way, this Blumhouse production is an entertainingly elevated genre piece” – Caryn James, THR
“While the twist is obvious from the start, the top-notch acting from the cast and the well-timed descent into feelings of discomfort and dread make the film highly watchable.” – Jonathan Anderson, Starburst
“For more than half of its nearly two-hour length, it plays more like the James McAvoy variety hour — which can be highly enjoyable if you do not mind one actor being the entire show.” – Varla Meyer, SF Chronicle
“This hollow attempt to turn a provocative showpiece into a crowd-pleaser makes you wonder if the filmmakers are actively disdainful of the original.” – Rocco T. Thompson, Slant Mag
“Speak No Evil” opens in various markets from today and hits the U.S. on Friday.
The post The “Speak No Evil” Reviews Are In appeared first on Dark Horizons.
