This movie, “Speak No Evil,” is brought to you by Blumhouse—a name you might recognize if you’re into horror and thrillers. It’s got layers though; while it starts as a psychological thriller with some dark humor sprinkled in, it gradually pulls you into full-on horror territory where escape isn’t really an option.

Now, this film is actually a remake of a Danish flick from a couple years back, also called “Speak No Evil.” The original was crafted by Danish brothers Christian and Mads Tafdrup. In that one, the clash was between Danish and Dutch families. The new version by James Watkins spices things up differently—putting American and British families front and center.

The fun part? Both versions kick off in Italy with Paddy—the bold alpha male of an English family—and his encounter with Ben from the American Dalton family. Let’s just say Paddy doesn’t waste time getting on Ben’s nerves! It’s all set for a holiday that’ll stay unforgettable… but maybe not for the best reasons!
So, we’ve got this film that kicks off in Tuscany where two very different families meet up. It swings between comedy and drama as it compares these families. The English family seems all good on the surface, but there are hints of tension if you really look closely. That’s thanks partly to the director, James Watkins, who has a knack for building suspense (remember his movie “Eden Lake”?).

On the flip side, the American family is clearly falling apart. The whole story revolves around how one family is breaking down while the other is getting tighter.

Even though it’s pretty obvious early on that folks aren’t who they seem, you’re kept hooked as everyone’s personalities get slowly revealed. Things move at a steady pace—no rush but constant enough to keep you interested.

They’ve nailed casting with Mackenzie Davis and Scoot McNairy playing the American couple with their daughter Agnes. Then there’s James McAvoy and Aisling Franciosi on team England with their mysterious son Ant, who doesn’t speak. This offers a cool twist because in the original Danish version, younger characters didn’t have much spotlight.

And then there’s Ben Dalton—the film does something interesting with him…
Alright, so here’s the scoop on this movie: You’ve got this shy, timid guy named Chio and another dude named Paddy who’s all confident and takes charge. It’s pretty clear-cut but it works—especially how Chio is almost weirdly fascinated by Paddy’s leadership vibe. James McAvoy gives a super lively performance like he’s juggling tons of characters all at once. And oh man, keep an eye on those eyebrow moves!

The story’s wrapped around social satire too, playing with cultural stereotypes. You’ve got the prim and proper American family mingling with this more wild-at-heart English family, which leads to some hilarious culture clashes.

In the second half (and definitely in the third!), things take a darker turn. The film moves from sunny Italy—think scooters and pasta—to gloomy Devon in Cornwall. That’s where the American family ends up crashing at the slightly rundown English farm after their eco-friendly Tesla trip from London. The place has a cozy vibe but there’s this underlying tension that reminds you of Sam Peckinpah’s “Straw Dogs,” except here, trouble brews from within rather than an outside threat waltzing in.

So yeah, it’s quite a ride!