James Watkins’ 2024 remake of the Danish thriller “Speak No Evil” is a masterclass in tension-building and psychological horror. This English-language version takes the slow-burn approach of its 2022 predecessor and ratchets up the intensity to create a truly unnerving experience.

At the center of this twisted tale is James McAvoy as Paddy, delivering a performance that reaches new depths of darkness. His portrayal of Paddy evolves from disarmingly charming to utterly terrifying. McAvoy seems to relish this departure into the dark side, diving headfirst into the character’s increasingly unhinged nature.

The film follows married couple Ben (Scoot McNairy) and Louise (Mackenzie Davis), whose struggling relationship leads them to accept an invitation from the mysterious Paddy and his wife Ciara (Aisling Franciosi) to their isolated farmhouse. This premise alone should set off alarm bells, but the couple’s desperation for a “reset” overrides their better judgment. McNairy and Davis, reuniting after their multi-season work together in the TV series “Halt and Catch Fire” a decade ago, bring a tension to their on-screen relationship that adds another layer of unease as the film unfolds.

Not for the faint of heart

As Ben, Louise, and their daughter Agnes (Alix West Lefler) become entangled in the hosts’ sinister plot, the film takes several shocking turns. Dan Hough, in his film debut as Paddy and Ciara’s son Ant, plays a crucial role in the escalating horror, with a nod to the original film as well as the film’s enigmatic title.

Watkins’ direction expertly balances the initial slow-burn with an eventual descent into full-blown psycho-horror territory. The isolated farmhouse setting becomes a character in itself, its remoteness amplifying the growing sense of dread and helplessness.

“Speak No Evil” is not for the faint of heart. The film features intense scenes of violence, abuse, and psychological torment that may be too much for some. However, for those prepared for its unflinching approach, the nearly two-hour runtime flies by in a whirlwind of suspense and shocking revelations.

“Speak No Evil” stands as a bold and satisfying piece of filmmaking for those who can stomach its intensity. Ultimately, it’s a remake done right. “Speak No Evil” matches the source material’s heights of psychological terror while adding it’s own nuances and dread up to the very terrifying end.