James McAvoy’s new horror thriller Speak No Evil is receiving respectable reviews from critics. The film marked the third collaboration between McAvoy and Blumhouse Productions, who produced his previous films Split and Glass. The film is a remake of the critically acclaimed 2022 Danish movie of the same name.
In the original film, Bjørn and Louise, a Danish couple, visit Patrick and Karin, a Dutch family, they met on a holiday. The hosts begin to slowly make things difficult for the guests who try to remain polite. Besides McAvoy, Mackenzie Davis, Aisling Franciosi, Alix West Lefler, and Scoot McNairy star in the remake.
James McAvoy’s Speak No Evil Brings Absolute Terror To The Screen
James McAvoy‘s new collaboration with Blumhouse, Speak No Evil, has apparently lived up to his previous collaborations. The film critics who got to see the film could confirm that McAvoy’s Paddy was every bit as scary as Kevin Wendell Crumb/The Beast in Split.
Brandon Davis of ComicBook.com called the film an “eerily brilliant theatrical experience.” Davis particularly praised the performance of McAvoy, sharing that he blended “charm and terror” perfectly in this role. According to him, the tense tale of the film explores “themes of comfort and security juxtaposed with the fear of offending”, staying close to the original’s themes.
Speak No Evil is an eerily brilliant theatrical experience.
— BD (@BrandonDavisBD) August 27, 2024
James McAvoy blends charm and terror scarily well. The themes of comfort and security juxtaposed with the fear of offending make the film infuriatingly tense.
It's a chilling, captivating, really good thrill ride. pic.twitter.com/JuenOnNLvw
Fans have great expectations for the film after Davis’ verdict. One fan shared that the trailer has got them completely hooked for the film. Many fans wanted to know whether the film did anything different from the shocking ending of the original. Others praised McAvoy and his ability to make any roles work for him. Some of the fan reactions read:
I have seen the trailer enough times these past few months that I think it has officially hooked me lol. I think the original is amazing, nasty and has a shocking ending. I am mainly watching to see if they did something different with this remake
— McMuffin Guy (@IAmMcMuffin88) August 27, 2024
James McAvoy is fantastic in everything he’s in.
— I’m just Jake😎 (@JakeTheFatKid13) August 27, 2024
James McAvoy is one the best actors and I can't wait to see this.
— Naz_grams (@Bignaz40) August 27, 2024
Wife and I are pumped for this one, glad to hear good things about it!
— The Wealth Dad (@thewealthdad) August 27, 2024
Really looking forward to seeing this one.
— Komix Bro | 4K Sonic 3, Marvel, HOTD Shots (@theKomixBro) August 27, 2024
The trailer of the film, which debuted at CinemaCon this year, showed the dark side of a dad played by McAvoy. The X-Men actor makes his guests, played by Mackenzie Davis and Scoot McNairy, increasingly unsettling while his son tries to warn the guests’ daughter. During a scene, McAvoy’s character gets angry at his son for not dancing the right steps to Cotton Eyed Joe.
Why Should Fans Watch Out For James McAvoy’s Speak No Evil?
Besides the unsettling plot of the movie inspired by the Danish film, James McAvoy is the biggest reason to watch the film. In M. Night Shyamalan‘s Split, McAvoy played the role of a man with dissociative identity disorder bringing the audience to the edge of their seats. McAvoy reprised the role in the ensemble sequel Glass.
He has also appeared in the horror genre films Victor Frankenstein and It Chapter Two. McAvoy was also able to easily slip into the role of a young Professor X in the Fox X-Men movies. Fans hope to see him back in that role in the upcoming Marvel X-Men film.
James Watkins is also no newbie to the psychological horror category. Fans of Black Mirror will be familiar with his work in the shocking season three episode Shut Up and Dance. He also directed the horror films Eden Lake, starring Michael Fassbender and Kelly Reilly, and The Woman in Black.
Speak No Evil is scheduled to be released in theaters on September 13, 2024.
