Behind The Scenes of the Movie ‘Speak No Evil’
Written by Vincent Smith & Michael Lee
*All Media used in this article is courtesy of Universal Pictures
Photo Courtesy of Universal Pictures
The movie ‘Speak No Evil’, directed by James Watkins, opened in theaters on September 13th, 2024. The film is a psychological thriller that follows an American family invited to spend a weekend at the countryside estate of a British family they met while vacationing. What begins as a pleasant holiday quickly spirals into a disturbing psychological game as the family's hosts display increasingly unsettling behavior. At the domestic box office, ‘Speak No Evil’ claimed the #2 spot with a solid debut, earning $11.5 million in its opening weekend, including $1.3 million from Thursday previews. Combined with its $9.3 million international earnings, the film's global total stands at $20.81 million a week after its opening. This article will detail the film's cast, plot, media reception, and behind-the-scenes insights.
Latest Releases
●
Latest Releases ●
Official Trailer: Speak No Evil (2024)
Video via Universal Pictures
Cast & Crew Interviews: ‘Speak No Evil’
Plot Synopsis
As the film opens, we meet the Dalton’s, an American family that are vacationing in Italy. Ben and Louise Dalton and their daughter Agnes, are vacationing along with a family from the U.K; Paddy, Ciara, and Ant, their son. Before the trip, Ben and Louise are fighting over Ben’s recent unemployment and Louise’s recent infidelity. Their daughter, Agnes, suffers from terrible anxiety and will not let her stuffed rabbit leave her side.
‘Speak No Evil’ Film Clip: We Had A Great Time ● Video Courtesy of Universal Pictures
A letter arrives from both Ciara and Paddy, inviting the Dalton family to their countryside farmhouse in a remote part of the Italian countryside and the Dalton’s decide to go, agreeing that the trip will be an opportunity to reset and relax, appeasing their recent marital problems.
‘Speak No Evil’ Film Clip: Cotton Eye Joe ● Video Courtesy of Universal Pictures
When the Dalton’s arrive, they are warmly welcomed by Paddy and Ciara. The trip is initially calm, but as the Dalton’s spend more time at the house, they begin to notice weird behavior and strange incidents involving the host family that makes them terribly uncomfortable, crossing social boundaries and societal norms. The Dalton’s are particularly uncomfortable with how Paddy and Ciara treat their son, Ant. They learn that Ant was born with a condition that leaves him unable to communicate.
‘Speak No Evil’ Film Clip: I’m Not A Doctor ● Video Courtesy of Universal Pictures
Paddy and Ciara talk Ben and Louise into going out for dinner, leaving Agnes and Ant in the care of a babysitter named Muhjid, who initially unnerves Ben and Louise. Later, Ant and Agnes are playing hide and seek together with their babysitter Muhjid, and Ant shows Agnes Paddy’s collection of watches along with a strange message written in a foreign language.
‘Speak No Evil’ Film Clip: Louise Keeps Paddy Out ● Video Courtesy of Universal Pictures
At their dinner, Paddy makes relentlessly jests at Louise’s decision to be a vegetarian, which borders on uncomfortable. Ciara and Paddy engage in a lewd sex act in public which shocks Louise and Ben. Later, Louise finds Agnes sharing a bed with a drunk Paddy and Ciara. Angered, Louise, Ben, and Anges flee, but Agnes forgets her stuffed rabbit, and forces the family to go back.
‘Speak No Evil’ Film Featurette: A Look Inside ● Video Courtesy of Universal Pictures
Louise and Ben attempt to retrieve the rabbit and Paddy and Ciara fiercely apologize to the Dalton’s for their behavior and then accuse and gaslight the Daltons of judging them. The Dalton family stays, but the behaviors of Paddy and Ciara grow more strange and unsettling.
‘Speak No Evil’ Film Featurette: A Hidden Darkness ● Video Courtesy of Universal Pictures
Paddy throws a mug at Ant, and so Ant steals a set of keys and leads Agnes to a locked shed where they find a collection of luggage and personal possessions belonging to various families who have stayed with them. Using a photo book, Ant reveals to Agnes that his parents are actually serial killers who lure families with a vacation, then attempt to rob and murder them, all before cutting out their child’s tongue, with the hopes of using them to lure the next victims. Ant reveals that this has happened to him and Paddy and Ciara are not his real parents.
‘Speak No Evil’ Film Featurette: Scene Breakdown with James Watkins (Director) ● Video Courtesy of Universal Pictures
Agnes then feigns having her period in hopes to get her parents alone to explain what Ant has shown her. The Daltons are horrified and decide to leave quietly, hoping to not alert Paddy and Ciara. The family organizes an effort later to call the police in order to save Ant.
‘Speak No Evil’ Film Featurette: Speak More Evil with Christian Tafdrup ● Video Courtesy of Universal Pictures
Paddy and Ciara quickly realize the Dalton’s are aware of their plan. They attempt to damage the Dalton's car as well as hide Agnes' rabbit to delay them, all while mocking the family out loud. When the Daltons attempt to finally drive off, Paddy throws Ant into the nearby pond, but Ant cannot swim. Ben exits the car only to rescue Ant before Paddy and Ciara capture them, both wielding guns.
‘Speak No Evil’ Film Featurette: Behind The Scenes ● Video Courtesy of Universal Pictures
They force the Daltons to wire transfer their savings to them before killing them, sparing Agnes, and cutting out her tongue. But their plan is interrupted and a struggle ensues and Paddy is injured while Ant flees into the house. Mike, an accomplice of Paddy and Ciara, joins them in their pursuit of the Dalton family. But Louise manages to kill Mike and save Ben before the family flees on top of the roof. Ciara attempts to attack the family but she falls off the roof to her death.
‘Speak No Evil’ Film Featurette: Vacation Friends ● Video Courtesy of Universal Pictures
The Dalton family tries to escape but Paddy emerges, now holding Agnes at point blank. She manages to inject Paddy with ketamine, which leaves him incapacitating him. Ant approaches Paddy and beats him dead with a brick, as an act of revenge. Ant, with the Dalton’s, finally leaves the farmhouse. Agnes gives Ant her stuffed rabbit, and Ant sobs quietly, while the screen fades to black.
Cast Breakdown: ‘Speak No Evil’
The film boasts an impressive cast featuring James McAvoy as Ben Dalton, Mackenzie Davis as Louise Dalton, and Aisling Franciosi as Ciara. Joining them are Alix West Lefler as Agnes Dalton, Dan Hough as Paddy, and Scoot McNairy in a key supporting role. Check out the cast breakdown below.
James McAvoy
Photo by Dave M. Benett via IMDB
Mackenzie Davis
Photo by John Shearer via IMDB
Aisling Franciosi
Photo by Howelljones photography via IMDB
Alix West Lefler
Photo by Noah Asanias via IMDB
Dan Hough
Photo by Mark Davies via IMDB
Scoot McNairy
Photo by Tony Byrd via IMDB
‘Speak No Evil’: In The Media
‘Speak No Evil’ has garnered widespread attention across major media outlets. Take a look at some of the coverage below.
Deadline: ‘Speak No Evil’ Writer-Director James Watkins On Tackling A Reimagining And Making Scenes “As Excruciating As Possible”
Variety: Box Office: ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ No. 1 Again With $51 Million as ‘Speak No Evil’ Opens to $11 Million
New York Times: The Ending of ‘Speak No Evil’ and the Perils of Remakes
Associated Press: Movie Review: Sinister and unhinged, James McAvoy is the weekend host from hell in ‘Speak No Evil’
LA Times: Review: A remade ‘Speak No Evil’ is less evil, swapping out Euro-bleakness for a family’s bonding
Guardian: Speak No Evil review – James McAvoy gives roaring life to red-blooded holiday horror
Vulture: Speak No Evil Is a Ridiculous Thriller About Not Trusting Vacation Friends
Pajba: Review: 'Speak No Evil' 2024 Is Toxic Masculinity 101
Forbes: Why Horror Film ‘Speak No Evil’ Oddly Features Hit From The Bangles
AV Club: Speak No Evil director acknowledges trailers show "more than filmmakers want"
If you’ve seen ‘Speak No Evil’, we’d love to hear from you! Comment your thoughts on the movie below and be sure to read more of our film breakdowns on our Movie Blog!
