In this film by James Watkins, a weekend with new friends turns into a bloody nightmare. It’s brutal!
Previewed at the Deauville American Film Festival, “Speak No Evil” (out September 18), directed by James Watkins (“Eden Lake”, “La dame en noir”) is actually a remake of a Danish film, “Ne dis rien” by Christian Tafdrup. It all begins with a vacation in Italy, where two families get to know each other and become friends. There’s Louise and Ben (Mackenzie Davis and Scoot McNairy), Americans recently settled in London, with their bunny-addicted little girl; and an English couple, Paddy and Ciara (James McAvoy and Aisling Franciosi), with their mute, withdrawn son, who seem to be having the time of their lives.
Later, back in England, the slightly uptight Londoners accept the invitation of their new, rather liberated friends, and prepare to spend “a great weekend” in the countryside. A quiet, rural stay in a large, isolated house in the south-west of England. As it turns out, the trip isn’t quite as pleasant as they’d hoped, with the guests experiencing one unpleasant surprise after another, and beginning to feel that “something’s not quite right”. The unease grows, and the guests’ anguish rises along with that of the spectators, who realize before they do that they’ve fallen into a trap. The promised “breath of fresh air” is followed instead by a cold sweat: terrified, they realize that they are the prey of psychopaths, and that the only way to survive is to flee.
James McAvoy, who starts out smiling before becoming disturbing, is a delight as the scary villain who hides his game so well. “Speak No Evil” turns into a bloody nightmare, a sadistic thriller with ultra-violent sequences at the end of the film – it’s brutal! Relieved, the Deauville audience erupted in liberating applause as the pretty blonde became the instrument of vengeance. The moral of the story is that, to be on the safe side, you shouldn’t accept a weekend with people you hardly know.
Patrick TARDIT
“Speak No Evil”, directed by James Watkins and starring James McAvoy (out September 18).