Speak No Evil Review 2024
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| Speak no evil review |
Introduction
Speak No Evil is a psychological thriller about a
family's unsettling vacation encounter with another couple and their odd son.
What starts as an innocent meeting soon spirals into an unnerving situation.
This review will explore the strengths and weaknesses of the movie, focusing on
performances, characters, and the logical missteps that hinder the viewing
experience.
Speak No Evil Trailer
James McAvoy Shines as the Standout
If you're coming to this movie for James McAvoy, you're
in for a treat. From the moment he appears, McAvoy commands the screen with his
eerie, passiveaggressive intensity. He's able to make you feel uncomfortable
with just a glance, and it’s exactly the kind of performance you’d expect from
him. He excels at playing the worst in a way that’s both terrifying and
engaging, pulling the audience deeper into this tense and awkward situation.
The Trailer Problem: Spoiling the Whole Movie
Before diving into the film's plot, it’s worth
mentioning that if you've seen the trailers, you've practically seen the entire
movie. The trailers give away almost every major beat, reducing the impact of
what should be a slowburn experience. It's a common complaint with modernday
trailers, but it’s especially egregious here.
The Plot: A Series of Poor Decisions
The story follows a family who, while on vacation,
befriends another couple—James McAvoy’s character and his wife. After a few
casual interactions, the vacationing family is invited to their new
acquaintances' remote home. While this setup could lead to some intriguing
dynamics, it’s marred by illogical choices made by the characters.
For instance, despite early signs that something is off with McAvoy's family, the protagonists continue to hang out with them. Worse yet, they even give them their home address. Who does that anymore? Just hit them up on social media if you want to stay in touch
Character Criticism: The Dumbest in Cinematic History?
One of the major flaws of the movie is how dumb the
main characters are. They’re not just naïve—they're infuriatingly careless. The
husband, in particular, makes poor decision after poor decision. For example,
in an early scene, McAvoy offers to take their child on a ride without a
helmet. Any responsible parent would immediately refuse, but the family waves
it off with a shrug. This sets the tone for their consistent lack of selfpreservation
instincts throughout the movie.
The Husband: A Failure as Both a Father and a Partner
As the story progresses, it becomes clear that the father is not only ineffective but also downright unlikeable. He fails to stand up for his wife during critical moments, especially when McAvoy tries to feed her meat, knowing she’s a vegetarian. Instead of stepping in, he lets his wife fend for herself. It’s difficult to respect a character who seems indifferent to both his partner and his child’s safety.
The audience was audibly laughing during the climax,
not because it was funny, but because of how absurd and foolish the husband's
actions had become. It's clear the film didn’t intend for this kind of reaction
during its most intense moments.
The Wife: A Step Too Late
The wife fares a little better, eventually realizing
the danger they’re in. But by the time she voices her concern and attempts to
leave, it’s far too late. While she gets some credit for trying, both parents
seem incapable of prioritizing their daughter’s safety in a meaningful way. Any
real parent watching this would likely be shaking their head in frustration.
Illogical Plot Points and Missed Opportunities
Did they explain the lack of cell phone service? It’s
unclear. At one point, it seems like they have their phones but don’t use them
to call for help. Maybe I missed the explanation, but this oversight just adds
to the film's frustrating logic gaps.
Despite moments where the family could have escaped,
they keep making irrational decisions that leave the audience shaking their
heads.
The Good: Atmosphere and Anxiety
To the film’s credit, it does a great job at creating
tension and discomfort. The slowburn atmosphere, paired with McAvoy’s stellar
performance, is enough to keep you on edge for much of the movie. The anxiety
it builds is palpable, even if it eventually fizzles out due to the characters'
nonsensical behavior.
Conclusion: A Flawed but Enjoyable Ride
While the movie may lose you due to the illogical
decisions of the characters, James McAvoy’s unsettling portrayal saves it from
being a total loss. The atmosphere is there, and if you can overlook the
frustrating plot points, there’s still fun to be had.
Summery
Speak No Evil is a psychological thriller about a
family on vacation who accepts an invitation from a suspicious couple they
meet. James McAvoy delivers a standout performance, playing an unsettling and
passiveaggressive character. While the film successfully creates tension and
unease, its impact is diminished by poorly written characters who make
frustratingly irrational decisions. The husband is particularly unlikeable,
failing to protect his family, which leads to unintended moments of comedy in
the film’s climax. Despite its atmospheric tension, the movie's logic gaps and
predictable plot, especially after watching the trailers, ultimately weaken the
experience.
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