We’ve all been there. On holiday, at an event or a bar, perhaps even at work, where you end up stuck with people you just don’t want to be stuck with. And you get that sense, that ‘vibe’ that is just a bit off, yet because—and I am speaking to you from the UK here—we’re all so typically ‘British’, we are far too polite to simply tell them to take a hike. Cue being stuck with said people for hours, several awkward conversations or, if you’re me, having to jump out of a bathroom window on more than one occasion (don’t ask). And you get home exhausted and think ‘why on EARTH did I not just trust my instinct from the get-go and run away sooner?’
Life is full of these awkward little social encounters, and they can genuinely be frustrating, tiring (especially if you’re an introvert like me), or downright painful. But what happens when the people you meet aren’t what they seem, and you are thrust into a situation that has the potential to endanger your life?
You Can Sense Something Isn’t Quite Right
This is what happens to couple Louise (Mackenzie Davis) and Ben (Scoot McNairy) in “Speak No Evil.” Whilst on holiday with their young daughter, Alix, (Agnes Dalton), they come across the enigmatic (if not slightly eccentric) Paddy (James McAvoy) and Ciara (Aisling Franciosi), and their young son, Ant (Dan Hough), who suffers from a speech impediment. The couple are nice enough—confident, verging on a bit pushy in my opinion, and Paddy certainly seems set on charming them into becoming bosom pals. Otherwise, on face value there doesn’t seem to be anything specific that strikes as bizarre. Still, from the offset I could sense that something wasn’t quite right. I just couldn’t put my finger on what.
And this, dear friends, is where the film strikes gold. I don’t want to give away the goods, and I promise I won’t spoil. But when I think about the plot, for at least the first 3/4ths of the film there isn’t a great deal of action. I knew something was coming, but I couldn’t quite fathom what, when, or how. The film instead gifts us with little nuggets and teasers of what might or could be, even what might have been. Hints or clues that all isn’t as it should be. Moments of pure awkwardness (warning: this will be a struggle if you, like me, can’t deal with second hand embarrassment). And other moments where I wanted to shout at the Louise and Ben—you know something isn’t right, get out while you can!
Strong Character Portrayals
One scene that really stuck with me, partly because it made me inwardly cringe but also because it sums up what this film does so well, is the dinner scene. After their holiday, Paddy and Ciara invite Louise and Ben to come and stay with them in their home. One evening they go out to dinner, leaving the children with a rather suspect looking babysitter. Paddy and Ciara divulge some of their private sexual encounters and how they like to partake in role play to keep things ‘spicy’ (no judgement here).
The scene gives us clues into the lives of this wacky, mysterious couple, constantly wondering what is and isn’t real, trying to pick out elements of truth and lies. Paddy mentions the importance of imagination in relation to sexual pleasure and arousal but this, I believe, speaks for the entire movie. It depends wholly upon us using our imagination. It is in itself a role play, with characters constantly picking up and trying on different roles that in turn arouses and perplexes the audience.
Another strength of “Speak No Evil” is its incredible character portrayal and character development, and the ways it forces us to partake in the conflicting views and actions of said characters. Take the dynamic between couple Louise and Ben. This works perfectly because not only are these people so real, struggling with their own general marital problems and domestic life that we can all empathise with in one way or another. But they also serve as direct mirror images of how we all might typically react and respond in such situations. Louise never really takes to Paddy and Ciara and call it women’s intuition, mother’s instinct, or whatever you like, but she knows something isn’t right. Ben however, much to Louise’s frustration, seems unable or unwilling to resist Paddy’s dominating and at times downright aggressive behaviour. And let me just say, James McAvoy’s enactment of said behaviour is utterly magnificent.
A Film that Lets You Use Your Imagination
Watching this all play out, I flitted between agreeing with Louise and sharing in her frustration with Ben, and just wanting her to chill out as her husband frequently suggests. It begs the question: how much should we trust our instincts? At what points should we just put up and shut up? And how much does our gender, or our relationship status affect how we act within certain scenarios? It led me to reflect on different situations that I had been in, times when I had just ‘gone along’ with things because I was too afraid to speak out, or felt intimidated by an intense or domineering character, or perhaps was even kidding myself into believing I could fit in with and mimic them. The film constantly gets us to think about the different roles we play and the potentially destructive—though also, powerful—impact these roles can have.
“Speak No Evil” is, in my opinion, one of the most tense, suspenseful horror films that I have seen in a long while. It’s no surprise that it’s written and directed by James Watkins (“The Woman in Black,” “Eden Lake”). It knows exactly how to play with the audience; how to delight and excite our senses, to tease and tantalise. We rarely ‘see’ anything; despite a rather grisly end (*spoiler*), the film merely sprinkles hints and clues of the monstrosities that may or may not have taken place. And this, I feel, is how you truly horrify an audience. It’s often what you don’t see but are forced to imagine that is truly terrifying and leaves you with that uncomfortable feeling in your stomach for days. And to this, I can fully attest.
