Speak No Evil

 

       With a screenplay written and directed by James Watkins, this is an American remake of a 2022 Danish thriller.

        An American couple and their young daughter meet a British couple and their son while on holiday in Tuscany. They all hit it off and the "Brits", Paddy and his wife Ciara invite Louise, Ben and their daughter, Agnes to visit them at their farm in the English countryside. Once they arrive, all is not what it seems.

        Paddy is played by James McAvoy and he is incredible. Friendly and inviting one second, he turns sinister with just a simple raised eyebrow, slight twist of a lip or simply a sneering smile. His wife is played by Aisling Franciosi and their son is played by Dan Hough. The American couple are well played by Mackenzie Davis and Scoot McNairy (who were both terrific in the great AMC show "Halt & Catch Fire"). Alix West Lefler plays Agnes, wise beyond her years. The film also co-stars Kris Hichen as Mike and Motaz Mulhees as Muhjid.

        Mr. Watkins builds the suspense  slowly as little cracks start to appear in Paddy and Ciara's behavior. His screenplay alternates between suspense, touches of humor and eventually horror, as the truth is revealed.  At that point, the tension becomes palatable as things escalate into a life and death situation. 

         It's a rollercoaster of a film, touching all the right buttons of it's audience.  If you are looking for a much darker and even more sinister version of the story, check out the original Danish film, now streaming.