It’s rare that a remake hews this closely to its source material, but both versions of Speak No Evil follow nearly identical storylines, to the point that the same beats and dialogue often feel lifted directly from one film to the other. The Danish original (2022) and its American remake (2024) are practically twins up until the final stretch, where their paths diverge sharply in tone and impact.
The Danish original, directed by Christian Tafdrup, tells the story of a Danish family who accepts a weekend invitation from a Dutch couple they met on holiday. What begins with smiles and awkward politeness slowly devolves into a psychological nightmare fueled by the Danes’ unwillingness to break social norms. Tafdrup masterfully builds unease throughout—there’s a quiet, crawling tension that wraps around the entire film, a constant sense of “something’s wrong” that never quite reveals itself until it's too late. That slow-burn discomfort works well, especially for viewers attuned to social anxiety or the horror of enforced politeness.
But the visiting family—our supposed protagonists—are written so passively, even foolishly, that their final fate loses some sting. You see every off-ramp they could have taken to escape the unfolding doom, and yet they stay. It’s clear Tafdrup wanted to explore how civility and fear of conflict can be weaponized, but at a certain point, the characters become frustrating rather than sympathetic.
Still, the 2022 film delivers a climax that is darker and far more disturbing than anything Hollywood typically dares. It doesn’t hold your hand or offer catharsis—just a gut punch that lingers. That ending alone elevates the experience, even if the journey to get there occasionally tests your patience.
By contrast, the 2024 remake trades some of that raw thematic edge for stronger performances and a glossier presentation. James McAvoy is a standout as the unnerving Paddy—his charm and menace give the film its pulse. The American family is written with slightly more agency, making their decisions (while still flawed) feel more believable. And the Croatian countryside, doubling as a serene British retreat, gives the whole film an eerie fairytale vibe.
While the remake follows nearly the same trajectory as the original, it leans more into psychological thriller territory rather than outright horror, especially in its ending, which stops short of the brutality of the Danish version. It’s still twisted, just a little more palatable for general audiences.
In the end, these two films almost demand to be viewed as companion pieces. The 2022 Danish version excels in tone and leaves a heavier emotional scar with its bleak climax. The 2024 American remake brings better acting, more immersive location work, and a slightly tighter execution through its pacing and tension-building.
If you could merge the haunting finality of the original with the gripping performances and craft of the remake, you’d have a psychological horror standout worthy of an easy 8/10. As they stand, the Danish Speak No Evil earns a 6.5/10 for its bleak vision and nerve-wracking tension, while the American version edges slightly ahead with a 6.7/10 for its polish and performances. Both are worth watching—just don’t expect to walk away feeling good about humanity.
Speak No Evil (2022) - This one is a Shudder distribution, so Amazon, along with a slew of other streamers, have it.
Speak No Evil (2024) - Amazon, among several other streamers have this one for viewing.
https://jackmeat.com/speak-no-evil-comparison/
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