We’re only four years into the 2020’s and we already have two versions of Speak No Evil. The 2022 version got American studios excited enough that Blumhouse decided to remake it for an American audience. This time around, the film has James McAvoy top-billed with Mackenzie Davis & Scott McNairy rounding out the cast. The film follows a similar plot as the original, finding an American couple, played by Davis & McNairy, as they befriend another couple on vacation, played by McAvoy & Aisling Franciosi. When the latter couple invites the other couple to their country home, sinister events begin to unravel.

I vowed to never rewatch the original. The bleak ending really got to me, yet I still revisited it before the remake to be prepared. I still felt the same way with my rewatch, particularly with the ending. That was something I was worried with the remake. I was very intrigued if this film could do the ending again, because I don’t think it’s something many American audiences can appreciate. Needless to say, I think the film does enough to make it worth watching.

The film’s set up is nearly identical to the original. We see American married couple, Louise & Ben Dalton (Davis & McNairy) on vacation with their daughter, Agnes (Alix West Lefler). During their time, they quickly become friends with British couple, Paddy & Ciara (McAvoy & Franciosi) who have their son, Ant (Dan Hough), with them. The British couple can be a lot, but it never dissuades the Americans from being friends.

The biggest difference with this set up is how the film approaches the American couple. The film doesn’t set out to tackle the same themes. The American’ couple’s relationship is far more strained and it seems like having friends will help reignite a fire in their marriage. There’s no denying that almost everything is working in terms of cinematography and performances. The use of cinematography is used effectively throughout to capture the land, as well as putting a close-up on the more intense scenes. You can also tell that no matter what happens with the script, the performances are going to deliver with McAvoy disappearing in this role.

Unfortunately, it’s clear how rough the script is going to be. It’s forced and isn’t as organic as the original, resulting in people not talking like real people. It’s actually crazy how the dialogue can be more unrealistic than some of the actions that occur in the original.

By the time the second act comes around, it’s more copy and paste of the original. This is really where my issues come in. Some of the things that they reuse does not work at all for this movie. While I was okay with the first act, I think the second act could have done more to make it different than the first. All of the tension was gone, because I knew what was coming next. It’s clear based on my theater’s interpretation that they never saw the original.

In fact, based on their reception, you’d think this was just a straight up comedy. It almost got me thinking why this wasn’t marketed as a comedy in the first place. Scenes were awkwardly edited and the tone was completely off. I just wasn’t getting the tone I was wanting at all out of this. Some humor worked, but I feel like my theater was getting more out of this humor wise than when I saw Deadpool & Wolverine.

I will say, though, there is a nice misdirection that involves the kids in the second act that gives the situation more background. I don’t think that was something that was missing from the original, but it added a nice tough here. The kid actors who played as Agnes (Lefler) & Ant (Hough) were also really good. They brough hefty emotion to the characters and made me genuinely feel for their characters.

Mentioning of performances, McAvoy proves by the third act why he is one of the greatest actors of our time. He’s a beast that can transform into any emotion. You can truly like him and then despise him the next. I really appreciate how he can consistently bring it his all no matter what the quality of the film. Mackenzie Davis is also great here. She continues to stand out in anything that she does. As for McNairy, I think the guy deserves more. Not only did I not buy his relationship with Davis (fans of Halt & Catch Fire will know what I mean), I think his arc is the weakest. Then, for Franciosi, who plays as McAvoy’s wife, I think she was fine, especially with her being the one name I wasn’t familiar with.

I am going to keep the third act as brief as possible, because it might be the best part of the movie. It’s satisfying, intense, and gives the film purpose for being a remake. The one thing I wanted out of the original is what they do here. Even if the third act can be ridiculous, I still found it quite entertaining. That’s it. Going to the movie for the third act alone is worth it.

Overall, I think the latest reiteration of Speak No Evil is worth the watch, and was even worth making. The film is able to translate well for the most part for an American audience, both familiar and unfamiliar with the material. James McAvoy & Mackenzie Davis are the easy standouts, and the third act will win viewers over. This may be Blumhouse’s best movie of the year, but that’s also not saying much when I still think this film has plenty of opportunities to do things different, and do it well.

VERDICT: 3/5 (Good)