McDaniel
“Speak No Evil” is a deranged love letter to the talents of James McAvoy.
For decades now, we’ve seen McAvoy command our attention on the big screen. From a fragile, mythical faun in 2005’s “Chronicles of Narnia” to an overload of multiple personalities in 2016’s “Split” — he’s as solid as it gets.
And in “Speak No Evil,” he’s phenomenal.
Director James Watkins’ film is a remake of the 2022 Danish film of the same story, and it doesn’t offer a lot of surprises from what you learn in its trailer.
An American family now living in London — Ben (Scoot McNairy) and Louise Dalton (Mackenzie Davis), along with their daughter Agnes (Alix West Lefler) — are vacationing in the same Italian spot as fellow travelers Paddy (McAvoy), his wife Ciara (Aisling Franciosi) and son Ant (Dan Hough). They strike up a friendship, resulting in an open invitation to visit Paddy’s family’s ranch in the English countryside.
Later, back in London and feeling down on their luck over a painful job search and problems in their marriage, the Daltons decide they should take Agnes and go visit. Fresh air makes everything better, right?
Through sometimes subtle, but more often blatant social horrors, it’s clear that something is off about their hosts. Yet with every red flag that is thrown, Paddy puts on a master course in gaslighting.
Anytime the Daltons speak up about their discomfort, Paddy has an answer to make the guests feel like they’re overreacting, unreasonable, hypocritical even. Until the evidence builds and their intuition is confirmed — Paddy’s family is not what they seem. And the game of cat and mouse ensues.
McAvoy is brilliant as Paddy, a complex character of acknowledged trauma who can charm anyone, then personify evil at the drop of a hat.
The theme throughout the film is the suppression of honesty. People often disapprove of the behaviors of others, but do little to stop them. Biting your lip and suffering in silence is still suffering, and people will walk all over you if you let them.
This idea feeds some interesting side plots, like the marital problems of the Daltons and the necessity of having tough conversations if they’re going to be able to save their relationship. Mackenzie Davis is a great casting choice in the role of Louise, as her face nearly screams out her feelings in moments of silent unease.
And with little music to direct the audience’s feelings, your senses will be transfixed on McAvoy’s acting — that warm smile that switches to a cold, death stare; those rageful facial tics; the unabashed crazy in his previously passionate eyes. You won’t be able to look away.
“Speak No Evil” is a tense thriller that sticks a knot of discomfort in your gut throughout — a film that is bound to lead you to a “what would you do?“ conversation on the drive home.
The answers you get may surprise you, and that’s kinda the point.
4/5
Scott McDaniel is an assistant professor of journalism at Franklin College. He lives in Bargersville with his wife and three kids.
