Let's Discuss Speak No Evil (2024) And Blumhouse's Never-ending Remake Cycle

Hello, my horror friends!
There's been a lot of chatter this week about Blumhouse's upcoming Speak No Evil remake- a film that many, myself including, deem unnecessary. There was also the announcement this week that Blumhouse will be taking over the rights to another beloved horror property, The Blair Witch Project.
With all this news, I felt compelled to make a video about it. So, here's a stream of consciousness on new Speak No Evil, remakes, and just the general state of the horror film industry.
I mention in the video that a great place to check out some cool indie horror is ALTER, right here on KZbin: / @watchalter
Full disclosure: They distributed my film, Steve And The Dead Girl, on their channel.
What are your thoughts on all of this latest news? Let me know.
Thanks for watching!
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00: Intro
01:10: Speak No Evil (2024) Trailer Reaction
02:46: What Makes A Good Remake?
04:00: Why The Original Speak No Evil Works So Well
07:10: The Americanized Remake
08:34: Blumhouse Used To Make Good Movies!
11:15: The Film Industry
13:54: Conclusion
#speaknoevil #blumhouse #horrormovies #horror #film

[@skproductions8495]

at no point during the original did i think “this would be better if it was completely in english” it actually allowed us to see the film from the protaganist family’s perspective…

[@NorthernRealmJackal]

But the original is in English. Just... Why??

[@DankrumStar]

I literally saw the trailer and was like “wtf?! I’ve seen this! Twice! I’ve seen this twice!” They can’t figure out new concepts?? I mean come on!

[@shannonrusso3853]

@dankrumstar Hi! I'm curious what the second movie is. Is that what you meant when you said you've seen this movie twice? I loved Speak No Evil

[@vecturhoff7502]

There's no reason to make a remake of a movie released 2 years ago, especially when they will probably not change that much of the story

[@vuyongwenya3243]

The trailer was the worst I've seen. The Danish Speak No Evil was one of the best movies I've seen without seeing any trailer.

[@KatsHorrorCorner]

I agree! I went into the original film not knowing anything about it and it blew me away!

[@crazy.panda12]

I might be in the minority here, but after seeing the original, understating the social commentary of it ( PC danish culture,etc) and being haunted by the ending..I am so ready for the american remake with a different ending ( characters that actually fight to stay alive) to wash away the frustration and utter anger from the passivity of the characters in the original at the end of the movie. Bring on the fucking explosions and fight to fuckin' stay alive and save your kid! I feel these two movies could stand together if they change the ending ( with the original being credited as such, of course).

[@voylesaustin94]

This is the thing, isn't it? Like, you're right in the sense that this could switch the commentary meaningfully. Also, hopefully not essentially spitting on the movie it's based on themes, messages, and title while making those changes. Because, if they fight back, then "Speak No Evil" as a title loses it's preciseness and the double entendre and instead just becomes, "yeah, ya know, cause we cut the kids tongue out? GET IT?". There is a (small) chance that it speaks to us (americans) in a way that feels valid and interesting enough to (barely) justify being a remake. But I'll say that hope feels very generous/hard to give to Blumhouse & the director (who has made mostly mediocre things, in my opinion, and Eden Lake is the only one that really stands to be a decent barometer for what this will be). It, to me, feels like a near impossible tightrope walk to get to feeling worthy of its own existence. I'd love to be wrong, though, and what you said could be rad. Minus the explosions lol

[@rachelhines7818]

Good video. I'm getting pretty tired of Blumhouse"s shenanigans.

[@KatsHorrorCorner]

Same! Thanks for watching!

[@mattjones7226]

I don't know why they keep showing these reveal moments in the trailers. If people want to see it, they'll see it. Why are they spoiling shit.

[@mikki3740]

I just found your channel and subbed! Yes I don't understand Blumhouse's choice here. I don't understand why they think remaking a recent foreign film into an American one is still a thing in 2024. They did it a lot 20 years ago because back then many Americans were still resistant to watching a foreign film and many hadn't heard of many of many foreign films. But the internet and globalization changed that. These days, half of Netflix's hit TV and film roster is foreign, and Americans are watching by the millions. This move seems outdated. They must be desperate or something.

[@KatsHorrorCorner]

Thanks for watching! I agree with everything you said here!

[@pkr7639]

It was released only 2 years ago, and 95% of the movie was in English. This movie just seems like it was made as a tax write-off. Jeez...

[@thehitherto5348]

Are the characters in the remake supposed to be American and British? I think that at least could be an interesting cultural clash due to the original film playing on Danish and Dutch stereotypes. For one thing, I imagine American characters in the same situation would be more likely to say "fuck no!"

[@lultharion]

I usually not a fan of Blumhouse but I will still go and watch this as I will like to see the comparisons between this and the original, tbh I will try most films at least once because then I have got a good understanding especially then discussing with my friends, thank you for your insightful thoughts and opinions :D

[@badlilkitty96]

Man, lets let James cook!!! cmon! it could be alright.

[@unklegaz8392]

I was so confused when I saw the trailer with James McCoy. The original just came out. That said, the only thing that may save the remake will be James McCoy performance but...

[@jtheiii]

You gotta keep in mind that everything has been done and nothing will ever be fresh or truly new and that goes for every genre

[@jacotromp59581]

Studio's don't care if people hate watch. They still get money. Want to stop all the remakes? Don't pay or watch

[@shannonrusso3853]

Apparently everyone's thought upon hearing that Speak No Evil was being remade was why would they remake this movie? It's not old.. it wasn't done half-ass... it's in English, because I can understand that being a hindrance. And then the trailer looks bad.

[@mbergamin16]

Originality in film is dying.

[@KatsHorrorCorner]

In Hollywood, definitely!

[@garyshipes8827]

Kat....An A+ for this informative essay. I agree that Christian Talrup's 2022 Speak No Evil is an untouchable classic but that allows rampant Blumhouse greed to be loosed. Even when original European directors remake their own films for American audiences (i.e. Haneke's FUNNY GAMES, Sluizer's THE VANISHING, Van Sant's PSYCHO) the doppelgangers lose something mercurial in translation. I can promise that the new remake Speak No Evil's ending won't dare approach the bleakness of the original (which is simply shattering). Cowards. Keep up the good work, Kat!

[@BMovieTheater]

Too soon!

[@jaysony8587]

Oop i hope you eat your words hun cus it’s being critically acclaimed 🤸🤸‍♀️🤸‍♂️ in this one they actually fight back, they’re not some naive little doves that let everything happen to them . . .

[@alexwolfefilms]

It’s frustrating cus Blumhouse will probably make more money for just stealing a movie and making it worse

[@bees.857]

It's just a Blumhouse cash grab

[@steampoweredpines]

watching the trailer feels like i just watched the whole movie. pointless

[@frankiegreer6258]

All those movies are scary I grew up in a very strict family my mom wouldn't let us watch scary movies only wholesome family movies my first scary movie was a friend who had a VHS copy of a scary movie I think it was I can't but it was scary. My life has already been scary already so I don't watch scary movies. Im sorry. 😢

[@DarknesShock]

My main concern with the remake is that the original film was too bleak and hopeless, especially towards the second half of the film. I do not believe Blumhouse will capture the intent and feeling of the story. I actually wouldn't be surprised if they change the entire ending, either. Also like you say it's a movie from 2022, talk about overkill. Great video! I really like your insight and agree completely on what makes a good horror movie remake! You got a new fan:D

[@KatsHorrorCorner]

Thanks for watching! I agree- I do not think they have the guts to be as bleak or daring as the original, and you can feel that in the trailer. I would not be surprised if they changed the ending.

[@mikehawk3152]

Please Please me.❤