Have you and your family ever bonded with another couple you met on vacation? Maybe you discovered a common interest or grew up in the same town. Or do you find yourself in a new place with no other friends or family and are looking to just make a connection. For those of you who have answered yes, and truly met lifelong friends, good for you! For those who either haven’t or have taken out restraining orders on your newfound “friends”, then you might have more in common with this movie then you realize.
Ben (Scott McNairy) and Louis (Mackenzie Davis) are vacationing in Italy with their daughter Agnes (Alix West Lefler). In an effort to escape the doldrums and the yammering of some fellow tourists, they come across Paddy (James McAvoy) his wife Ciara (Aisling Fraciosi) and mute son Ant (Dan Hough). Ben and his family have recently relocated to London from the US, and it just so happens that Paddy and his family live in the UK as well. An invitation from Paddy offers an opportunity for the family to reset in the English countryside, and a chance to settle into their new lifestyles.
Upon arriving, it is clear that things are not always what they seem. Ben and Louis are clearly suffering from personal issues, and Paddy and Ciara are more than happy to feed into their tension. Paddy offering up the prize goose that he had killed to Louis after she had already confessed to him that she was a vegetarian. Ciara’s attempt to Mother Agnes, overriding everything that Louis has said.
After only the first night, Paddy’s uncontrollable anger and abusive nature is put on full display for all to see. Yet, it takes far more than this to convince Ben and his family to pack it in and leave for the safety of the city.
It probably comes as no surprise that James McAvoy provides another thrilling performance as Paddy. He convincingly goes from being the best friend a guy could ever had, to a cold, calculated predator. He’s so believable in his portrayal that it’s entirely conceivable that an unwary family could be pulled into his web.
Scott McNairy does an equally admirable job of being the punching bag to Paddy’s alpha male status. He portrays the perfect ying to McAvoy’s yang. Whose constant weakness is on full display for the entire audience to see.
Mackenzie Davis on the other hand exemplifies her role as a strong, leading lady. Her strength is evident from the first scene and increases to the loudest crescendo. Her character is strengthened by the superb acting of both Dan Hough and Alix West Lefler, the latter who portrays her own strength. Last but not least is Aisling Franciosi who brilliantly switches from doting mother to psychotic killer in a blink of an eye. Whose character has clearly been abused her entire life yet continues to fight for the person who has abused her the most.
James Watkins has brought together one of the best suspenseful movies of the year. Keeping the audience glued to their seats constantly wondering what happens next.
With the Halloween season quickly approaching, there are several new films on the horizon, but you definitely do not want to miss Speak No Evil.
4 out of 5 stars
