Many times, a foreign film will catch the eye of a writer, director, or producer in the United States, leading to an American remake. A perfect example of this is 1993's Point of No Return, starring Bridget Fonda (Single White Female) and Gabriel Byrne (The Usual Suspects), which is an almost exact remake of the 1990 Luc Besson movie, La Femme Nikita. This year, audiences were treated to another remake when Speak No Evil hit theaters in September. Two months later, Universal Studios is releasing the movie on Blu-ray, in stores on November 19, 2024.
Ben (Scoot McNairy; Argo) and Louise (Mackenzie Davis; Terminator: Dark Fate) Dalton are Americans living in London. Along with their daughter, Agnes (Alix West Lefler; My Life With the Walter Boys), they go on a holiday to Italy where they meet Paddy (James McAvoy; Split), his wife, Ciara (Aisling Franciosi; The Nightingale), and their disabled son, Ant (Dan Hough; Hollyoaks). After enjoying their time in Italy, Paddy invites the Daltons to their farmhouse in Devon. At first, everything seems fine, but as Paddy and Ciara start acting strangely, Louise wants to leave. However, she can't find a polite way to tell their hosts, so they stay longer than they should, only to discover that the consequences of being polite can be deadly.
McAvoy displayed his talent for portraying sinister characters in 2016's Split, where he was terrifying as a character with dissociative identity disorder. He once again brings this same intensity to Paddy, switching between funny, kind, and menacing with ease. He is perfectly cast, as are Davis and McNairy. Franciosi was brilliant as Clare in The Nightingale but seems less driven here. West Lefler and Hough are also strong in their roles, and the casting choices add to the suspense of Speak No Evil.
The 1080p video resolution and 2.39:1 aspect ratio highlight the film's visuals, from the sunny Italian countryside to the eerie English farmland at night. The set design is meticulous, with plenty of details visible regardless of the lighting. The color palette is vibrant, enhancing the overall experience.
The Dolby TrueHD 7.1 audio is crisp and complements the video quality well. Ambient sounds are immersive, and the gunshot effects have a deep echo. Dialogue is clear and well-balanced, making it easy to follow the story.
The combo pack includes the Blu-ray disc and a digital download. It also features three extras: Nuclear Families, A Horrifying Crescendo, and The Farmhouse of Horror. These extras, along with the feature commentary, offer additional insights into the making of the film.
McAvoy shines in this role, supported by a talented cast and strong direction. The script may be generic, but the Shyamalan-like plot twist at the end is satisfying and ties together the characters' motivations. If you enjoy suspense thrillers, Speak No Evil is a must-watch. It's puzzling why Universal opted only for a Blu-ray release instead of offering a 4K option.
Grade: B
