SPEAK NO EVIL (2024) ****

Speak No Evil is a horror film of manners.  It’s rare that a movie works on this sort of level.  We are not dealing with a killer in a hockey mask.  This isn’t about a monster on the loose.  It’s about people who don’t pick up on social cues.  It’s about people who are borderline obnoxious, but they are still kind of funny and just fun enough to be around.  So much so that when they invite you to stay at their beautiful home in the country, you agree.  You hesitate at first, but you know, that house looks pretty cool.  And once you get there, it’s fun for a day or so.  You try to ignore their occasional crude comments or awkward conversations because, hey, you know… they make great homemade cider.  When things start getting uncomfortable, you try to be nice and grin and bear it.  Force a smile or two.  You want to go, but there’s this great restaurant they want to take you to.  So, out of obligation, you go, and the dinner is freaking great.  Still, they still act a little odd.  Maybe we can leave first thing in the morning, then?

Have you ever tried to make an exit from a party, but your host keeps the conversation going far past its expiration date?  Even after you’ve said “that’s crazy” four times, he keeps you there locked in conversation.  Manners dictate you should oblige him and keep talking, even when your gut instinct is to run, civility reigns and you acquiesce. 

That’s how the tension mounts in Speak No Evil.  It shows us that the line between a perfect host and a perfect nightmare is very thin. 

Speak No Evil is kind of like those ‘90s “From Hell” thrillers like Single White Female.  If that was about the Roommate from Hell, this is the Weekend Hosts from Hell. 

I mean we’ve all been guests for the weekend at someone’s house.  We’ve also entertained guests in our home too.  What’s so deft about the film is that it would’ve been so easy to make the crazy family the guests.  Then, it would’ve just been a tweak on the home invasion genre.  The clever twist here is that the loonies are the hosts.  There are several instances where our poor family could pack up and run, but… Honey, that would be rude!  They just cooked a nice meal.  Babe, you can’t complain the sheets are stained with a mystery substance because that would make them feel bad. 

I’m not trying to spoil the plot specifics of the film.  I’m just trying to evoke the feeling of watching it.  It really kicks into gear when the nice family realizes their hosts are crazy and try to make an exit WHILE STILL BEING POLITE AND CIVIL.  It’s like a horror movie version of an Irish Goodbye.  And when that mask of civility breaks… oh, boy… all bets are off. 

Scoot McNairy and Mackenzie Davis are great as the nice couple, but it’s James McAvoy who takes the acting honors as the demented host.  He has moments here that will remind you of Jack Nicholson in The Shining.  Yes, I said it.  He’s that freaking good.  He sets the kettle to boil early on and we the whistle blows… look out. 

There are also some brilliant needle drops in this.  You’ll never listen to “Cotton Eye Joe” the same way again.   Or The Bangles’ “Eternal Flame”. 

I didn’t realize director James Watkins was also responsible for Eden Lake.  That totally jibes.  This guy knows how to get under your skin.  And then some. 

In short, you’re gonna be talking about Speak No Evil for years to come.