This is a rapid remake, from writer and director James Watkins, of a Danish film of the same name from just two years ago. An American couple, Louise (Mackenzie Davis) and Ben (Scoot McNairy) Dalton are on holiday with their daughter Agnes (Alix West Lefler). They meet an English family, Paddy (James McAvoy), Ciara (Aisling Franciosi), and their mute son Ant (Dan Hough). They hit it off and Paddy invites them to stay on their West Country farm but not long after they arrive, it is clear that something sinister is happening.
The general consensus seems to be that the original version of this story is superior. I have not seen that, so I can only judge Speak No Evil on its own merits. Mostly, it works incredibly well as tension filled thriller. I found myself willing the family to get away whilst they could, and there are a couple of scenes that I almost felt too uncomfortable to watch. It turns into a more conventional action movie towards the end but Watkins marshals it well.
McAvoy gives the most eye catching performance as the unhinged Paddy, but I felt there was too much menace in the early stages when he was meant to be more normal. Franciosi handles her madness much more subtly. It is the kids though who give the best performances. Hough doing really well in a difficult role and Lefler managing to be innocent, traumatised and the most aware of what is going on.
Rating: 7.5 out of 10