Ep 179: “Speak No Evil” and the Perils of Being Polite to Strangers on Vacation (dir. Watkins, 2024)

Today we're sharing our reflections on the newly-released horror remake, "Speak No Evil" (2024). Based on a 2022 Danish film of the same name and written and directed by James Watkins, this thriller stars James McAvoy and Mackenzie Davis as members of two small families that meet on holiday and form a vacation friendship. When one family invites the other to their isolated countryside home, cracks appear in the pleasant veneer of the hosts in a way that portends very real danger. Touching on complex couples' dynamics, performative politeness, and the allure of toxic masculinity, this film boasts incredible performances by both its adult and child stars (including Aisling Franciosi, Scoot McNairy, Alix West Lefler, and Dan Hough). Twisty and twisted, this film diverges sharply from the Danish original and creates something wholly new for American audiences. Let's get into it! Listen to us on your favorite podcast platform and follow us on social media to stay up to date on upcoming shows and announcements! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Linktree⁠