Synopsis
Christian Tafdrup’s Speak No Evil is a psychological horror film that is deeply unsettling. It captures a certain politeness and a culture clash that lies beneath human nature. The film is set in a picturesque European countryside and the unfolding social discomfort and tension leads to a slow burning dread that is ache-inducing. The film’s finale is one of the darkest and most disturbing in the recent decade.
The film’s story reveals a Danish couple, Bjorn and Louise, who take a vacation to Tuscany along with their daughter Agnes. During their vacation, they meet a friendly Dutch family consisting of Patrick, his wife Karin, and their son Abel, who does not speak. During the vacation the two families hit it off, and Patrick and Karin extend to Bjorn and Louise an invitation to stay with them at their Dutch home couple of months later.
At first it is easy to view the offer at face value, a friendly invitation. Patrick is inviting Bjorn to their rural home for a few months which to a bored and shackled Louise should at least promise some fun. Louise, while feeling more reserved, agrees to go for the sake of her husband and their social life.
When they get there, it starts feeling weird right away. The home Patrick and Karin own is far away from the main roads, and the bare silence is disturbing. The first warning sign is how they seem to look after Abel—emotionally and physically, he seems to undergo some form of neglect or abuse—cursed with a massive scar on his mouth and unable to speak. Karin’s explanation, a rare condition he was born with, doesn’t seem convincing.
During the rest of the visit, the strange and the disturbing keep accumulating. Louise’s discomfort deepens, first when offered meat by Patrick, a no-go for vegetarians, and later too when the couple starts crossing lines by forcefully monitoring their guests’ privacy. Social boundaries seem to be eroding, too: the Danish family is held hostage by time, their bubble is invaded, and the daughter is placed into physically uncomfortable or unsafe scenarios.
Stuck somewhere between concern and the desire to not seem rude, Bjorn hesitates to make a move. He wishes that the situation at hand was simply awkward. The more perceptive Louise pushes to cut the trip short, but her insistence is met with passive-aggressive manipulation from their hosts. After a series of more disturbing encounters, which include the shocking sight of Abel sleeping naked with Agnes, Bjorn and Louise make the decision to leave.
By now, they have already lost the chance to escape.
While attempting to flee, the Dutch couple intercepts and captures them. The sequence that follows entails the Danish family being seized and taken to a secluded area. Stripped of their dignity, Bjorn and Louise are gruesomely executed in the sight of their daughter. Patrick and Karin, silently adopt Agnes, revealing her as yet another child they have abducted after the gruesome murder her parents, raising her with the parents’ sins whilst forcing her to watch the brutal slaughter of the only family she ever knew.
The final moments are quiet and chilling, the absence of horrific soundtrack makes the viewer grasp the chilling nature of the narrative. With the absence of a climactic finish, the ‘whisper’ is far more haunting, and deeply unforgettable.
Cast & Crew
Director:
Christian Tafdrup
Tafdrup is a Danish filmmaker who is considered one of the most psychologically insightful artists of our time. He is known for pushing the boundaries with his films. With Speak No Evil, Tafdrup relinquishes the helm to take the passenger seat for his own social commentary disguised as a horror film. The film’s horror is grounded in human behavior and social conventions rather than supernatural forces.
Writers:
Christian and Mads Tafdrup
Their story is a unique take on conflict and human behavior, expertly woven through the interactions of both environmentally aware and culturally sensitive characters. The dialogue itself, both in its construction and delivery is emulative of the sad and apologetic narrative, capturing the social and psychological hardships of the characters without sounding forced.
Main Cast:
Morten Burian as Bjorn
Burian’s performance as Bjorn captures the essence of a hesitant and conflicted individual in a way that is both relatable and frustrating. He demonstrates the risk of excessive politeness, revealing how a person who is overly accommodating will permit disastrous outcomes to their family simply to avoid conflict.
Sidsel Siem Koch as Louise
Louise is the film’s reasonable voice, often attempting to rein in her husband’s erratic behavior. Koch’s portrayal is a blend of fretfulness and a quiet sense of hopelessness. While her instincts happen to be correct, the social pressure that makes her powerless to act is simply tragic.
Fedja van Huêt as Patrick
Huêt is relaxing as the film’s antagonist. He is cruel yet charismatic and charming as a villain. He is one of the most unsettling and quietest villains of recent cinema.
Karina Smulders as Karin
Smulders as Karin is equally disturbing and unsettling. She is a mother that acts kind but is deeply cold and indifferent. This role shows Smulders as someone who shows empathy and care but is part of a bigger picture of horrendous acts.
Liva Forsberg as Agnes and Marius Damslev as Abel
Children play a significant role in the film’s Agnes. The child’s innocence is juxtaposed with the great evil that is present in the film.
Cinematography:
Erik Molberg Hansen – The isolation is masterfully done with the use of wide shots and natural lighting. It transforms the Dutch countryside into a new character—lonely, haunting, and vast in its beauty.
Music:
Sune Kølster – The score was modest and sparse, and is able to augment the sense of dread. The score becomes silent during critical moments to highlight the utter horror.
IMDb Ratings & Reception Review
As for Speak No Evil’s rating, it hovers around 6.7/10 on IMDb. While this may seem low at first, it actually showcases a split in audience reaction. This is typical for films that are purposefully controversial and tackle difficult themes.
Critical Review:
The film was received well by critics, particularly for its bold stylistic choices, atmosphere, and psychological elements. Speak No Evil is a horror movie, but unlike most in the genre, it shun’s jump scares opting instead for a steady build up of social dread.
Positive Reception:
Tafdrup was critiqued and praised for the social anxiety that underscored the horror elements of the film. Reviewers acknowledged the chilling realism of Burian and van Huêt’s portrayals, emphasizing that their performances contributed greatly to the film’s eerie atmosphere.
The film received critiques for its reflection on the Western European obsession with politeness and how it tackles the subject of social conformism, even within perilous situations.
Criticism:
Some people thought the ending was overly brutal and bleak, labeling the film as nihilistic. Others took issue with the characters’ passive nature, arguing that it was difficult to believe, while some contend that this is precisely what the film set out to portray.
Even with the controversy, Speak No Evil has been at the center of conversation in both film and horror communities, with many claiming it to be one of the most psychologically disturbing thrillers in recent years. Its praise lies in the way it employs social norms and discomfort between individuals as tools of terror.
Conclusion
Speak No Evil isn’t the easiest movie to sit through—it’s suffocatingly slow, it’s painful to get through, and deeply horrifying in a way that stays long after the credits roll. Yet, Tafdrup’s mastery of spellbinding cinema showcases the dark side of social expectations. The film demonstrates the collapse of civilization at the hands of terror that polite society culminates in refers to—class, submission, and social niceties.
The film warns us that at times, we fail to realize the disguise that evil drags itself in. It may not always be with red flags, and dangerous weapons—most of the time, it’s with a gentle smile, soft words, and a promise of kindness. For some of us, the unexpected horror does not arise from the so-called monster; rather, it’s devoid of the ability to be offended, rude, or breach the unwritten codes of being polite.
Watch free movies on Fmovies