Speak No Evil - Movie Review

Speak No Evil offers an American family who falls into a trap fish-hooked into them by an appealing British couple. Initial outlines of a plot involves a couple traveling to a beautiful beach house for their dream holiday, where it all comes undone as disturbing secrets about the people who are harboring them are revealed all the way to terrible discoveries.

Thematically, the work focuses on trust and betrayal, and the darker side of human nature. A tense atmosphere of suspense is set throughout and psychological horror aspects help to build up to the dread. There might be something profound about the persona’s that people put forward and the darkness hidden beneath.

James McAvoy does a fine job portraying that, investing his character with complex layers. This is probably what makes Aisling Franciosi complement him perfectly, she portrays the fragile and strong woman. The supporting cast does great work; the overall morbid tone is helped by watchful, secretive performances.

Director James Watkins keeps the tension high and manages moments of real horror throughout. His ability to control timing and suspense keeps viewers glued to the screen and on edge; he provides psychological horror aptly.

Th e music complements the view by offering horror tunes that match the cinematographic horror adequately. It emphasizes certain things and moments, thus, deepening the drama and the emotions.

The overall general cinematography is quite captivating and visually appealing, especially the rural settings which are contrasted by sometimes eerie moments of suspense. It does a good job of upping the tension throughout the movie.

The rural setting is deliberately chosen, there is a picturesque farmhouse which at the same time is rather creepy. This bipolarity in the sets and costumes is similar to the concept of disguise and the appearance of things, which the movie focuses on.

Special effects are included minimally yet, in the manner that complements horror without dominating the narrative. There is a noticeable use of makeup and some practical effects which enhance particularly eerie scenes.

Cuts are clean and precise and help to develop rather tense atmosphere and build suspense. The cuts make the movie more psychological bringing the viewers closer to the story and its associated horrors.

The movie unfolds gradually with tension gradually being built up. It mirrors the family’s downfall into terror – it keeps the audience on the edge of their seat depending on how the sequence is paced and the interactions of the characters. It serves well in relation to the tension, or the unease which is communicated effectively throughout the film.

Thus in its own way ‘Speak No Evil’ has a suspenseful thriller like plot regardless of the slow pacing which some might find themselves struggling with. In that sense, the film leans more towards atmosphere rather than action which might not be to the liking of many people looking for more spectacle.

Speaking about the experience of watching the film, it can be mentioned that seeing the ‘Speak No Evil’ was a stressful endeavor. It is a psychological horror film which done a good job of leaving the viewer unsettled and so it was a fun addition to the genre. It has an incredible narrative about lying and the unfathomable horror underneath it that remains with you after the movie ends.