Speak No Evil: a ‘brilliantly constructed’ psychological thriller

Its title may be unpromising, but “Speak No Evil” – a remake of an acclaimed Dutch/Danish film – “turns out to be a brilliantly constructed psychological thriller built around one of James McAvoy’s best performances for years”, said Matthew Bond in The Mail on Sunday. “You really can’t take your eyes off him.”

He plays Paddy, an alpha-male Brit who is on holiday in Italy with his partner Ciara (Aisling Franciosi) and son (Dan Hough) when they meet a rich American couple, Ben (Scoot McNairy) and Louise (Mackenzie Davis), and their daughter (Alix West Lefler). The two families hit it off – “sort of” – so when Paddy invites the Americans to visit them at their home in the West Country, they “hesitatingly accept” – a decision they’ll come to regret. Director and co-writer James Watkins “ratchets up the tension and mounting menace superbly,” and although the last half-hour is on the predictable side, this is “one of the best-made thrillers you’ll see all year.”