Mark Kermode reviews Speak No Evil - Kermode and Mayo's Take

#MarkKermode #SimonMayo #FilmReviews
A family is invited to spend a weekend in an idyllic country house, unaware that their dream vacation will soon become a psychological nightmare.
To hear more, follow Kermode and Mayo's Take wherever you get your podcasts: listen.sonymus...

[@samm8994]

Glad this has finally been released - if only so I no longer have to endure the trailer every time I go to the cinema.

[@larssonk22]

honestly thought this was released ages ago but had a limited release.

[@xalexeastx]

That trailer is dreadful, it shows the entire bloody film too!

[@WG55]

That's Blumhouse for you. They care more about marketing than quality.

[@Breadcups]

McAvoy is rightfully praised for his performance, but honestly the whole cast nailed it.

[@Wha162]

Great thriller, all of the actors absolutely nailed their parts. Go with friends you will have a blast

[@rhiannonstudios]

Saw it the other night, amazing film, really enjoyed it 👍🏻

[@geoffhalpin5976]

Loved it.

[@RodneyAllanPoe]

I saw it yesterday. Fantastic! Chris Gore at Film Threat also liked it.

[@crispybits3765]

I thought the original was great, yet I never want to watch it again, and I say this as someone who watches lots of horror. It's a very grim journey, with some really detestable characters. I will probably watch this remake at some stage.

[@carlfriedman7127]

Favourite film for ages. Great dlpay off at the end too.

[@thefilmsofjohngreenwood9380]

I thought the third act was awful. After a thrilling first and second act it almost became a completely different movie - a generic "escape from the monster house" climax. It was tedious and predictable. Such a shame. In contrast, the third act of the original movie was shockingly original and deeply unsettling.

[@thehitherto5348]

The original is one of the most "Scandinavian problems" films ever made, so I'm curious how they handle this with new protagonists. Americans aren't exactly known for being afraid to say "Hell no!" if things go too far.

[@retrotero76]

Americans by default are too paranoid for this story to even take place.

[@kwameoluwasomi]

Not just Americans, I don't know how any of that could happen to me and my family. Not even my wife would let it get that far.

[@NickQuinn1986]

I loved the original. Insane movie - a creepy decent into horror, which you know is coming. Maybe love is the wrong word!! But it really shock me up. And yes, so Scandi!!

[@retrotero76]

@@kwameoluwasomi My point was that stranger danger is taught for Americans in a different way. I mean, parents drive kids to school there. In my country they go to school alone. We have never made home invasion movies, but it is a big sub genre in Hollywood. The difference is huge.

[@carcrashjayson]

Agreeableness is not an exclusively Scandinavian trait.

[@estebancomulet]

Just saw it. Note perfect. Loved every second

[@michaelclark4855]

That's a relief then, as I was a big fan of the original and I was apprehensive about this remake! 👍

[@gremlin255]

Watched it earlier n im still creeped out by James Mcavoy performance.This movie is also a top end 15 certificate with gut wrenching tension.The best horror thriller iv seen all year.

[@gavvo-7640]

Totally agree with you!!!! Very uncomfortable and disturbing! Loved it!

[@rhiannonstudios]

It was great, really good film 👍🏻

[@seancorrigan7448]

No need to remake it but some great talent invovled. James Watkins has done some interesting stuff over the years.

[@laughingatbirds]

I love the original. A very powerful message that shock me up in the best possible way. Not sure a remake will add anything

[@johnwainwright4559]

@@laughingatbirds I am curious about the ‘powerful message’ you mention? Also - am I being too picky, but why on earth did they just not run away?

[@jneilson7568]

@@johnwainwright4559 I think it's a microcosm of the question, how long will you let someone violate your boundaries before you resist, and resist effectively? From the start (of the original) when they allow their kid to drive off on the moped, I think...and later when the wife accepts the meat despite her personal preferences. The Dutch couple even state they're specifically looking for a specific type of person who allows this to happen. With real-world, wider reaching connotations as well. Ignoring your gut instincts instead of self-preservation and meekly going along with nonsensical social order. History has shown many people succumb to this, after all. It's unthinkable but scarily possible. We're used to characters fighting back in films. This is more like Funny Games.

[@ruthkimi1]

@@johnwainwright4559 I second the ‘powerful message’ too.

[@michaelbell2035]

@@laughingatbirds adds for those who havnt seen the origional.

[@johnwainwright4559]

@@jneilson7568 Thanks. I haven't seen the remake, so cannot comment, but thoroughly enjoyed the original - until the end scenes! I just found it incredibly annoying/confusing/disappointing that the parents did nothing at all to change the outcome for their child or themselves. Just my opinion. For what it's worth, I think (the original) Funny Games is an absolute masterpiece, but I must say that I did not see the parents characters in the same way at all. To me, they were not subservient or complicit. They were injured and scared out of their minds for the safety of their child and themselves and tried to escape what was happening to them once they realised they were in a whole world of trouble.

[@joelnicholson]

Ah, yes - the belated sequel to Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor's classic madcap comedy "See No Evil, Hear No Evil" ...

[@meu02136]

As long as they keep the shower scene

[@Neil1977]

James McAvoy is such an underrated actor in my opinion, Just saw this it’s really good!

[@matthewallen1597]

Surprisingly Superb.

[@charliebryer2802]

Eden lake left me incredibly angry and upset for such a long time. I can’t possibly risk putting myself through that again, can I?

[@looney1023]

The original Speak No Evil will do that. The remake won't.

[@jasonvanniekerk9269]

I had no intention of watching the remake (the original divided my wife and I between “That was horribly dark but well done” and “That was horribly dark and I don’t want to risk films that might harm children again”), but I’m intrigued by what could be done well with the final act. Tempted now.

[@GeoffWoad]

"I don’t want to risk films that might harm children again” -- What does this mean?

[@keycuz]

You and your wife should watch the coffee table

[@kevinhall2347]

Cheap Tuesdays are my go to cinema day out as even if it's terrible you've not wasted too much money lol love the original so hoping this one at least is watchable

[@stephaniewhite9526]

Act 1 of the film is almost an exact copy of the original. Act 2 changes to an all out action ending. For me the original towers over the Blumhouse remake but James McAvoy is outstanding.

[@meu02136]

What about act 3?

[@stephaniewhite9526]

@@meu02136 Are you saying Act 1 is in two parts ?

[@matayolandas]

The remake is not terrible, and I didn't find the original one too compelling, but the thing that they suppress the most dark stuff bout it with this one is kind of disappointing.

[@larssonk22]

Sounds like I should watch the original first before going to see this in the cinema

[@davidhamill9712]

The 2010 Mark Kermode (Let Me In) would like to have a word with you Mark...

[@rogerwhite4073]

I was going to boycott this one on the basis that it didn't need a remake. Afterall, the Danish original, which is effective in a way that lingers with you after the film is over, plays out for the most part in English, so doesn't require any extra effort from the audience. That being said, your review seems to suggest that against all odds they have managed to make a new version with enough originality that it warrants its production, so I'll likely give it a go, I do enjoy James McAvoy's performances more often than not.

[@TheOneMaNz]

McAvvvoy was sooo good.

[@rogerwhite4073]

@@TheOneMaNz glad to hear it.

[@Adi-Dassler]

@@rogerwhite4073 good to hear. Part of the original that I liked were the scenes where they would speak in their own language and the other couple can’t understand.

[@gavvo-7640]

Saw this tonight - it's brilliant! Disturbing, uncomfortable and very tense. I love the original and this one pays great homage to that version. The original has such a dark disturbing ending I am glad this remake changes that and gives us something equally as tense and more gory. Acting is superb by all (except the babysitter guy coming back for the finale showdown seemed a bit pointless). One of my fave horror thrillers of the year!

[@ashbeech7785]

That wasn't the babysitter, it was the dude from the cottage who prepared the meal for the two couples.

[@gavvo-7640]

@@ashbeech7785 Oh yeah! Thanks for pointing that out

[@keycuz]

Same film as the original for me, apart from the last 20 minutes. Then they took out the memorable scenes and changed scared mum into badass mum.

[@ashbeech7785]

McAvoy is clearly having the time of his life in this! Excellent performances from the rest of the cast! Even the child performances were great and you can't say that very often! Big Straw Dogs vibes too!

[@kirstylouise7278]

I enjoyed the remake up until the final act. It’s so far removed from the remake which can be a good thing, in this case I think it ruined the film. The originals ending was absolutely harrowing and it made the film for me. The remake fumbled the ending I think.

[@00tommo]

McAvoy's west country accent irked me at times. Enjoyed it though!

[@user-zj1kz6mh6g]

never be silenced

[@phasuul]

Hey Mark, please watch and review Red Rooms if you get the chance! Not sure if it ever had a wide release in the UK but would love to hear your thoughts on it.

[@wilsonsauls2899]

Without spoiling, I really hope the remake is willing to go as bleak as the original. For those who haven’t seen the original, its final act is soul destroying and you should not watch it unless you’re ready for a bad time. I wonder if the remake is going to go that far since they’re messing with the ending.

[@JoLoSpeaks]

Is Mark ever going to review the remake of The Wages of Fear, now on Netflix?

[@curlyslippers9934]

Films are good aren’t they?

[@tarquintalentagency1915]

Speak No Evil Tarquin Shaw-Young in an exclusive interview with his actor Dan Hough following a visit to the last few days of Filming - Tarquin represents and manages Dan Hough who also stars as 'Ant' in Speak No Evil - Dan also plays 'Arlo' in Hollyoaks kzbin.info/www/bejne/gZTdapWiirFnrJYsi=lKa-PenwGbyor0HG #speaknoevil #speaknoevilmovie #blumhouse #tarquincasting #tarquintalentagency

[@geoafe66]

Good movie go see it

[@michellel-jones4649]

Can someone give me the name of the Danish original, please?

[@Scottymol]

Same title but made in 2022

[@NN-df7hl]

Just hoping the remake doesn't have an idiotic happy ending. The original's ending will never be topped.

[@lornaginetteharrison7168]

I have bad social anxiety, so maybe this is not the film for me? 😬

[@jasonroswell51]

Yeah may not be wise. Best to stick to home invasion horrors.

[@ravikhanna1077]

@@jasonroswell51 PMSL!

[@meu02136]

It’s a shame the trailer has already completely spoiled the film

[@BackyardPix]

I didn't even like the original very much, but it's insane how it got a remake so damn fast. And why? I know Americans dislike subtitles, but the OG is almost entirely in English language..? Wish Mark could watch and review some actually cool and original horror movies like In a Violent Nature instead of creatively bankrupt dreck like this.

[@keycuz]

Gave it a happy ending

[@TomWilliamson-xe6sc]

I loved the original - a black comedy of manners, until it becomes pitch black and leaves you floored. I was wary of seeing it dragged through the commercial mud, but MacKenzie Davis is aces and perhaps I'll give the remake a go.

[@gedvalente4308]

The film is really an anti-Woke film about the superficialities and disingenuousness of forced social and cultural accommodations. The host couple completely exploit the visiting couple's inability to be honest about standing their ground and if necessary being dismissive - as James McAvoy's character continually points out by testing them at various stages.

[@allthingshorrorrelated]

Original is a true horror, and makes the new version look lame.

[@nickjohnjames30]

You have to give credit to Mark Kermode-he’s one of the best in the business. I’m not a fan of his politics, though

[@jneilson7568]

He knows his stuff, his books are good, too. Still haven't quite forgiven him for ruining the ending of the original Ringu when he intorduced it on late night Channel 4 though....

[@jamiebutler-hz5bk]

@@nickjohnjames30Agreed, he is one of the best and most entertaining film critics, and always has been. He always gets political jibes in which I personally hate, he’s almost obsessed at times.

[@OPRAHRULZ]

He’s too neoliberal

[@kennethbardu]

Oh Christ, the conservative snowflakes are back, here we go

[@TrishPayne73]

Simon looks bored stiff

[@TPToE]

The original had a good premise but went off the rails at speed. Baffled as to why MK likes it so much.

[@laughingatbirds]

It shouldn’t be viewed literally or realistically. It’s a parable.

[@TPToE]

​@@laughingatbirds Was the parable that of a film-maker who has no idea how to end his own film?

[@seanfogarty5559]

​@@TPToEOn the contrary, I think the film basically revolves around its ending.

[@TPToE]

@@seanfogarty5559 You may be right, but the ending is laughable.

[@laughingatbirds]

@@TPToE why do you think that?

[@duncancurtis5108]

Should this really be PG? It has unpleasant scenes.

[@joshuajames2181]

It’s not PG, it’s certificate 15