Speak No Evil, directed by James Watkins, is a new film released on September 13, 2024. This movie is a fresh take on Speak No Evil from 2022, a Danish-Dutch psychological horror film, 1 hour and 50 minutes long. I watched this movie on a long plane ride to Utah during Winter Break and wanted a spooky thriller movie. My mother, who watched it on the same flight, and I agree that the movie had a solid beginning and a compelling plot.
This story begins with an American family vacationing in Italy: Louise and Ben and their preteen daughter, Agnes. They met a British couple, Paddy and Ciara with their son Ant, during a dinner at the hotel. They so enjoyed their time together in the streets of Italy that the British couple invited them to their countryside house in Devon, England. Having recently moved to England and wanting to make new friends, Louise and Ben accepted the invitation. Louise was skeptical about spending a weekend with a new family, but Ben convinced her to try to be outgoing.
The farmhouse was not what they were expecting. They assumed since Paddy and Ciara were both successful doctors that the house would be more lavish and modern. Once they settled in, Ben and Louise spent time with the family and noticed Paddy and Ciara treating their son, Ant, unpleasantly. Ant had been “diagnosed” with a condition preventing him from speaking, making it difficult for him to communicate. His father would emotionally and physically abuse him for ignoring him or doing something incorrectly, making the American family uncomfortable and worried for his well-being.
While the two couples went out for dinner, they left the two children at home with a babysitter who did not appear to be kind and friendly. Agnes and Ant spent some time together and suddenly Ant was trying to show Agnes his bruises and scars from the abuse, however it is difficult for him because of his difficulty speaking. Suddenly, Ant helps Agnes find a secret underground room where the British family hides their secrets explaining why he cannot speak and that Agnes will be next. A major plot twist occurs when the family attempts to leave the house and it left me in shock!
Overall, I recommend this movie to anyone who enjoys a good horror movie. This movie is under two hours long and includes plot twists, great actors, and a great plot. My mother and I loved this movie and would watch it again!
