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 though the last half-hour is on the predictable side, this is "one of the best-made thrillers you'll see all year".
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
'New poll gives Harris an edge'Today's Newspapers A roundup of the headlines from the US front pages
-
Threads: how apocalyptic pseudo-documentary shocked a nationIn the Spotlight The rarely shown nuclear annihilation film will reappear on TV screens this week
-
Alma's Not Normal, season two: 'hilarious' sitcom is 'pretty much perfect'The Week Recommends The second instalment of Sophie Willan's semi-autobiographical comedy is a 'triumph'
-
Alma's Not Normal, season two: 'hilarious' sitcom is 'pretty much perfect'
The Week Recommends The second instalment of Sophie Willan's semi-autobiographical comedy is a 'triumph'
-
One great cookbook: 'Every Grain of Rice' by Fuchsia DunlopThe Week Recommends The alchemy of Chinese home cooking made accessible
-
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, is a town for all seasonsThe Week Recommends Fall, winter, spring and summer all usher in new activities
-
6 show-stopping homes with striking interiorsFeature Featuring a copper tree entry in Oregon and a home inspired by a Japanese hunting lodge in California
-
Top outside saunas around the UKThe Week Recommends Finnish-style saunas are popping up everywhere, promising a slew of potential health benefits
-
Rowan Jacobsen's 6 favorite books that explore our relationship with foodFeature The award-winning author recommends works by Harold McGee, Kristin Kimball, and more
-
Alcohol-free drinks for Sober OctoberThe Week Recommends These are the best booze-free tipples from refreshing pale ales to bittersweet aperitifs
-
5 spellbinding new books to read in October. Witches and colonization tales included.The Week Recommends Ta-Nehisi Coates shines a light on Palestine, and Louise Erdrich takes us to North Dakota
