I would be lying if I said my expectations were very high going into “Speak No Evil.”

A remake of a very solid 2022 Danish psychological horror film had a trailer (which it seemed like played in front of every single film the last three months) which didn’t just seem to give away the entire film, but play more into the horror elements of the story than anything else.

Perhaps it is because of those low expectations that “Speak No Evil” proved to be a rather pleasant surprise – an American remake that, while making some switches that are questionable at best, still manages to bring enough to the table to capture the elements that made the original work. It’s a film at its best when it is playing mind games with its characters and allowing James McAvoy to be the menacing catalyst of those mind games.

In “Speak No Evil,” Mackenzie Davis and Scoot McNairy play Louise and Ben Dalton, an American couple now living in London with their 11-year-old daughter Agnes (Alix West Lefler). There are cracks in the seemingly happy family. Louise and Ben’s relationship can be described as shaky at best, with past discretions boiling under the surface, while Agnes struggles with anxiety.

While on a getaway, Louise and Ben meet Paddy (McAvoy), his wife Ciara (Aisling Franciosi) and their son Ant (Dan Hough). There is something about Paddy’s unorthodox honesty and charming personality that attracts Louise and Ben, particularly Ben. When Paddy invites Louise and Ben to his family’s remote cottage for the weekend, they agree, but the more they learn about their new friends, the more uneasy Louise and Ben become.

“Speak No Evil” is at its best when it is exploring Louise and Ben’s crumbling marriage. There are some mind games being played by both McAvoys, but Paddy is able to pick up on it and play them against each other in a way that is uncomfortable, yet fascinating to watch.

McAvoy leans into his villain role quite well, continuing his career resurgence playing the heavy. It’s easy to see how he could be charming enough to draw people in, with his insane tendencies slowly creeping in the more you get to know him.

Director James Watkins, who also worked with the writers of the original film, does a good job of letting the tension between Ben and Louise play out, before taking the easy way out in a final act that – while somewhat fun for the audience at my screening – still relied too heavily on typical horror tropes.

Fans of the original will notice that the final act is where this version strays from the original – and not exactly for the better. I prefer the original, especially for its slightly darker arc, but there is still enough to make this a worthy – and somewhat enjoyable – remake.

If You Go
“Speak No Evil”
Starring: James McAvoy, Mackenzie Davis
Directed by: James Watkins
Rating: R for some strong language, language, some sexual content and brief drug use
Playing at: Regal Bowling Green Stadium 12, Regal Greenwood Stadium 10, Highland Cinemas (Glasgow)
Grade: B-