Speak No Evil | Film Review

 

When Louise (Mackenzie Davis), Ben (Scoot McNairy) and their daughter Agnes (Alix West Lefler) spend the weekend with a family they meet on holiday, they soon find themselves in grave danger.

This film was on my radar for a while, as a huge fan of James McAvoy, so I couldn't wait to see it! I didn't know it was a remake until the promotion started, but after seeing this one I really want to watch the original too!

I really really liked this movie. 

For a start, I really liked how simple the premise was. The basic idea of a family visiting another family that they don't know very well could go in so many different directions, and would probably work well in a comedic or dramatic genre. But it's also the perfect plot for horror.

Tension is created expertly throughout the film. From the first scene to the last, you're on the edge of your seat waiting to see what will happen next.

But as great as the film's atmosphere is, the pacing was a bit off, particularly in the beginning. A lot of the scenes felt like they were cut too short when they should have been given a bit more room to breathe. This was rectified as the film went on, but I felt that it would have been beneficial for us to have a bit more time with these families before the film takes its turn.

The only other (fun) frustration was how much of your disbelief you have to suspend. Because it feels really unrealistic for someone to get themselves into this situation. And while it can happen, you have to allow yourself to ignore all of the stupid decisions the characters make.

But characters making bad decisions feels very common for a horror film, and in this one the decisions they make lead to some great scary moments, so it's definitely worth it!

Though as bad as these decisions are, the actors do an amazing job with their characters - particularly Lefler and Dan Hough (Ant), the young actors who play their parts really well. 

This is a really fun one to watch with other people. Getting to see other people's reactions and being able to discuss things is great for a film like this. I saw it in the cinema and it was such a fun experience.

Overall, this is a real edge-of-your-seat thriller. If you're looking for something fun, exciting and more than a bit scary, this is for you!

7.5/10