Speak No Evil (Blu-ray) review

[David Vaughn]

Studio: Universal
Release Date: November 19, 2024
Rating: R
Film: 4/5
 
 
Plot
After befriending a British couple with a mute son, Americans Ben and Louise accept an unusual invitation to bring their daughter for a weekend at an idyllic country estate. Yet when they discover their hosts are hiding sinister motives, Ben and Louise fear their family may be pawns in a disturbing plot. Led by James McAvoy as a charismatic man masking unspeakable darkness, a dream holiday warps into an unnerving nightmare in this shocking thriller.
 
 My Thoughts
 This isn’t the type of film I usually seek out to watch, but I saw the trailer multiple times watching NFL football and for some reason it attracted me mainly due to the menacing look on McAvoy’s face. I waited to watch it until my son-in-law was in town because I knew it was a film my wife wouldn’t enjoy and I don’t really like watching movies alone—especially in this genre.
 
It turns out, the film isn’t scary, per se, but more along the lines of uncomfortable. McAvoy is very socially awkward and early on you can get the sense that there’s something brewing under the surface that’s off, but it’s hard to put your finger on it. Louise (Mackenzie Davis) knows something’s wrong in her gut, but is trying to make amends with her husband (Scoot McNairy) and bends to his wishes, despite her motherly instinct. Things finally come to a head and all their worst fears come to fruition.
 
I’d consider this film more of a thriller than a horror film, although there are some graphic scenes in the final act with some blood and gory—it is a Blumhouse production, after all. That being said, it’s something I could easily sit through again and reminded me more of The Shining, than Saw. The script is well crafted and really plays on our tendency as a polite society to not be completely honest in our interactions in order to spare hurt feelings, but in this particular case, bluntness and prudence would have probably saves ben and Luise from a weekend from hell. Then again, if they did that the film would have been about 10 minutes long!
 
**This is my second writing of this review. For some reason, it disappeared from the forum.**

 Video 9/10 (AVC)
 
Audio 9/10 (DTS-HD MA 5.1)

 
 Special Features:
 
·       Nuclear Families
·       A Horrifying Crescendo
·       The Farmhouse of Horrors
·       Feature Commentary with Writer/Director James Watkins
·       Blu-ray + UV Digital Copy
 
 

 
 
 Conclusion
As someone who doesn’t regularly seek out films that make me feel uncomfortable, I have to say this was a very thrilling experience. The story is very compelling and the acting is top-notch. Sure, it’s a stretch to think the innocent family would have made the same choices in “real life,” but without some of those choices the film would have been a bore. Regardless, it’s definitely worth checking out if you’re interested and the A/V presentation is quite good. Recommended.
 
 
Reference Review System:
 JVC DLA-RS3100 4K Ultra High-Definition Front Projector
 (Calibrated with Portrait Displays CalMAN color calibration software & C6-HDR Meter from Portrait Displays)
 Stewart Filmscreen - Firehawk 110” 2.35:1 Screen
 Trinnov Altitude 16 Audio/Video Processor
 ATI AT527NC Powering Bed Channels
 ATI AT524NC Powering Atmos Speakers

Zidoo UHD8000 Media Player
 Panasonic DP-UB820 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player
 System Controller: URC MX-990
 M&K S-150 THX Ultra (R-C-L Speakers)
 M&K SS-150 x4 (Surround Speakers)
 Atlantic Technology IC6-OBA x 4 Overhead Speakers
 Dual Rythmik FV15HP2
 Mini DSP HD controlling all subwoofers
 Audioquest and Monoprice - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling
 PureAV PF60 Power Conditioner

[SRW1000]

Glad you were able to take advantage of the holiday weekend and watch one of these movies with your son-in-law and that it turned out to be a good one.

I'm looking forward to seeing it.

[SRW1000]

We watched this one over the weekend and loved it.  I thought the dialog for the first two acts was remarkably good, filled with all kinds of social aspects that is entirely unexpected for a horror movie.  The way the director uses the plot to show how a couple might find themselves in an uncomfortable situation by following normal social norms and conventions was handled masterfully.  I'm sure we've all found ourselves in situations where we thought we'd get along with another couple or group of friends but slowly start to realize that we're not compatible and start looking for ways to exit.  It does a great job of recreating those cringy feelings.

All of the adults are fantastic in their roles as well.  Scoot plays a perfect beta male with McAvoy shows his alpha male characteristics with a fun blend of charm and intensity.  And Davis has some fantastic non-verbal expressions as the story progresses.

This is a great example of a cross-over movie that can work for a general audience as well as regular viewers.

We'll add this to our collection, too bad it's not available in 4K.  Craig, you need to buy the Blu-ray, so the studio puts out a deluxe edition. 

It's based on a 2022 Danish film, which I really want to check out now.  Unfortunately, it's only available on DVD.

[David Vaughn]

We watched this one over the weekend and loved it.  I thought the dialog for the first two acts was remarkably good, filled with all kinds of social aspects that is entirely unexpected for a horror movie.  The way the director uses the plot to show how a couple might find themselves in an uncomfortable situation by following normal social norms and conventions was handled masterfully.  I'm sure we've all found ourselves in situations where we thought we'd get along with another couple or group of friends but slowly start to realize that we're not compatible and start looking for ways to exit.  It does a great job of recreating those cringy feelings.

All of the adults are fantastic in their roles as well.  Scoot plays a perfect beta male with McAvoy shows his beta male characteristics with a fun blend of charm and intensity.  And Davis has some fantastic non-verbal expressions as the story progresses.

This is a great example of a cross-over movie that can work for a general audience as well as regular viewers.

We'll add this to our collection, too bad it's not available in 4K.  Craig, you need to buy the Blu-ray, so the studio puts out a deluxe edition. 

It's based on a 2022 Danish film, which I really want to check out now.  Unfortunately, it's only available on DVD.

Thanks for chiming in Scott and I totally agree with your comments. Extremely well crafted film.