James McAvoy’s ‘Speak No Evil’ Outshines the Original in This Crucial Aspect

James McAvoy’s latest horror film, ‘Speak No Evil’, has resonated well with both audiences and critics, though some viewers may not realize it’s a remake of an earlier acclaimed movie. The film features Scott McNairy, Mackenzie Davis, and Aisling Franciosi, and it revolves around an American family invited to a remote farmhouse by a British couple for a weekend getaway. They soon discover that their hosts are, in fact, serial killers—an alarming twist on the typical Airbnb experience. Encouragingly, despite being a remake, the film has received positive reviews.

Currently,  ‘Speak No Evil’ holds an 83% positive rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, just shy of the original’s 84%. However, audience reception has been notably stronger for McAvoy’s version, which boasts an impressive 85% rating on Rotten Tomatoes’ Popcornmeter, compared to the 2022 original’s 56%. This discrepancy suggests that word of mouth for the new film will likely drive its popularity further.

Image Courtesy: Prime Video

Despite the high critical acclaim, not all reviews have been positive. Collider’s Emma Kiely criticized the film, arguing that McAvoy’s character, intended to portray a psychopath hiding behind a friendly exterior, ends up feeling more like an annoying wedding guest than a menacing villain. She noted that his musings on social media and technology detracted from the intended horror, while Aisling Franciosi delivered a performance that closely mirrored her original counterpart, blending insidiousness with aloofness.

If you’re considering which version to watch, Kiely strongly recommends the original  ‘Speak No Evil’, describing it as one of the darkest and most harrowing horror films, akin to Michael Haneke’s ‘Funny Games’. In her view, Blumhouse’s remake feels like a sterile retread of a story already executed flawlessly.  ‘Speak No Evil’ is currently in theaters.

–Farheen Ali