Speak No Evil: A Remake That Falls Short

Speak No Evil is a 2024 horror film directed by James Watkins. It's a remake of the 2022 Danish film of the same name. The story follows Louise, Ben, and their daughter Agnes, who meet the seemingly friendly couple Paddy and Ciara. Things take a sinister turn when the Daltons visit Paddy and Ciara's home.

The cast of the 2024 film "Speak No Evil" includes:

• James McAvoy as Paddy
• Mackenzie Davis as Louise
• Aisling Franciosi as Ciara
• Alix West Lefler as Agnes
• Scoot McNairy as Ben   
• Dan Hough as Ant
• Kris Hichen as Mike
• Motaz Mulhees as Muhjid

As someone who enjoyed the original film, I was eager to see how the remake would compare. While there were some improvements, the overall experience was disappointing.

One of the strengths of the original film was its slow-building tension. The remake maintains this aspect, gradually revealing the sinister nature of the hosts. However, there were a few changes that felt unnecessary. For example, the scene where Agnes loses her rabbit plushie was stretched out in the remake, which felt a bit contrived.

Speak No Evil: A Remake That Falls Short

The soundtrack in the original film was occasionally too intense, artificially building tension. The remake avoids this pitfall, opting for a more subtle approach.

The biggest issue with the remake is the removal of the third act from the original film. This change alters the tone of the story from a tense thriller to an action-packed horror movie. The original film's central theme of the dangers of excessive politeness is lost in this transformation.

While Speak No Evil is a visually striking film with solid performances, it ultimately falls short of the original. The changes made to the story undermine its thematic depth and leave the viewer feeling unsatisfied. If you haven't seen the original film, it's worth checking out. However, if you're familiar with the Danish version, the remake may not be worth your time.