Film enthusiasts on the hunt for a gripping psychological thriller should give this one a go, currently available to stream on Netflix. Speak No Evil was released in 2024 and is a remake of a 2022 Danish-Dutch film of the same name.
The movie centres on an American couple holidaying in Italy, where they encounter a British family who extend an invitation to spend the weekend at their secluded English countryside farmhouse.
What begins as a dreamy mini-break in Devon rapidly spirals into sheer terror, as the American family uncovers their hosts’ deeply sinister intentions. Speak No Evil features The Last King of Scotland actor and Hollywood heavyweight James McAvoy as Brit Paddy, alongside The Fall’s Aisling Franciosi as his wife Ciara.
Canadian actress Mackenzie Davis, best known for Halt and Catch Fire, takes on the role of Louise Dalton, while True Detective’s Scoot McNairy plays her husband Ben.
James McAvoy stars in Speak No Evil(Image: UNIVERSAL)
The film has garnered considerable praise from audiences on both IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes, reports the Express.
One viewer posted on IMDb: “The setup is masterful. Nothing big happens this entire act, yet I found myself smiling and intrigued. It’s a perfect example of how you can still create intrigue without needing action, or even worse, without having an opening scene that spoils what happens later in the movie.”
A second remarked: “James McAvoy-what a powerhouse. Honestly, just put this guy in every horror movie from now on, especially if he’s the villain.”
They went on to say: “Speak No Evil is easily one of the best horror films of the year, in my opinion.”
Speak No Evil is a remake of the 2022 film(Image: UNIVERSAL)
A third reviewer awarded the film 9/10, describing Speak No Evil as “surprisingly great” and elaborating: “This movie had my anxiety level through the roof – but that’s exactly what it was supposed to do, right? James McAvoy is so incredibly good at making the audience feel uneasy throughout the film, slowly at first and then keeps raising the bar every time he’s on screen.”
Another viewer was equally effusive, stating: “James McAvoy’s acting was phenomenal. The way he portrayed the character with such depth made it feel like he wasn’t even acting.”
James McAvoy has been praised for his sinister(Image: UNIVERSAL)
They went on to say: “The ending had me on edge, screaming at the screen. It’s been a while since a thriller or horror movie made me feel this way.”
A fifth viewer headlined their glowing 10/10 review: “Heart racing thriller” before going on to explain: “I’m a McAvoy fan, he’s a vastly underated actor but I went into this wondering if the haters were going to be right.
“No they weren’t, not at all, this is a slow burn , tense, creepy film which builds to an explosive crescendo [sic].”
Another Rotten Tomatoes user posted: “Loved this movie. Kept me on the edge of my seat the entire movie. I don’t review movies, that explains itself.”
The film was shot across several locations, including Groznjan in Croatia and the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire, which doubled as Paddy and Ciara’s Devon home.
Speak No Evil is available to stream on Netflix now
