Warning: This article contains spoilers for Speak No Evil (2024).
The 2024 horror movieSpeak No Evilreceived excellent reviews and Rotten Tomato scores that exceed the original, showing that the newer version isn’t just an unnecessary remake. The streaming platform Shudder has gained a reputation for releasing some of the best, worst, and most silly horror movies – including the 2022 Danish horror movieSpeak No Evil, which falls into the first category. Directed by Christian Tafdrup, the film follows a Danish family who visits a Dutch family, expecting a lovely weekend. They soon discover disturbing secrets that lead toSpeak No Evil’s gripping ending.
Considering the movie only came out a year before the announcement, audiences and critics were skeptical in 2023 when news confirmed that Blumhouse planned to remake the movie. Hollywood tends to remake great international films, losing what made the original special. Prime examples of this includeOldboy(2013),Father’s Day(1997), andWickerman(2006). However,Speak No Evilbreaks the mold by not only keeping what made the original great but expanding on it in a meaningful way. Consequently, early Rotten Tomatoes scores and reviews for the 2024James McAvoy-led horror remakeexceed those of 2022’sSpeak No Evil.
Where To Watch Speak No Evil: Showtimes & Streaming Status
2024’s Speak No Evil remake is now here, and there are different options for where to watch it, like with theater showtimes or waiting for streaming.
2024’s Speak No Evil Successfully Updates The Original Story & Tone
The 2024 Remake Of Speak No Evil Differentiates Itself From Its Predecessor
One of the biggest reasons that the 2024 version ofSpeak No Evilsucceeds is because the movie diverges from the original story in entertaining ways. Many reviews praise the director, James Watkins, foradding original story elements and commentary to the film rather than parroting exactly what Tafdrup’s version had to say.Daily Dead’s review ofSpeak No Evilemphasizes that Watkin’s 2024 version ofSpeak No Evilseeks to stand on its own rather than competing with the original. Matt Donato writes on the horror-centric website:
Watkins rightfully charts a unique creative path like the second option in a Choose Your Own Adventure novel.Speak No Evilavoids pesky redundancies, adhering to stateside horror configurations that might not be as unforgiving, but still confront the psychological ugliness present in Tafdrup’s traumatizing achievement.
Discussing Film’s review of 2024’sSpeak No Evilalso commented on the positive changes to the Danish horror film, noting the supplemental nature of the remake. Critic Ernesto Valenzuela stated in that review:
The critical changes to the original Danish film aren’t a detriment to this Hollywood remake. Quite the contrary, 2024’sSpeak No Evilis a refreshing and bold retelling that is more than a worthy companion to the original film.
In addition to including new story elements and furthering the themes, the 2024 remake ofSpeak No Evilmaintains the tension of the original even when making the twist obvious from the start – a necessary consistency between the two films that keeps horror audiences entertained. Donald Clarke ofThe Irish Timeswrites the following:
It is a measure of the tension accrued that, when it comes, the explosion of violence feels, if anything, like a welcome release.
Bill Goodykoontz ofArizona Republicagrees with Clarke’s sentiment about the tension of the 2024 remake, writing this in his review:
[James Watkins] remake of the 2022 Danish film of the same name is unsettling, unpleasant, at times a watch-through-your-fingers exercise in nervous tension. It’s also pretty good.
Because of these changes, the two versions ofSpeak No Evilfeel complementary to one another,boosting each other’s messages and exploring them from different cultural perspectives. Additionally, the American remake’s theatrical release opens up the story to a broader audience while bringing attention to the similar but different original Danish version.
James McAvoy’s Performance Is Highly Praised In Speak No Evil’s Reviews
James McAvoy Offers A Terrifying Performance That Will Leave Viewers With Chills
While everyone in thecast ofSpeak No Evildid a great job,the reviews unsurprisingly singled out James McAvoy’s incredible performance as a significant factor in the movie’s success.After M. Night Shyamalan’s Unbreakable trilogy, James McAvoy cemented himself as an actor who isbetter as a frightening villain than a main character. His performance inSpeak No Evilfurthers this idea. Clarisse Loughrey ofThe Independentwrote this in her review:
And then there’s McAvoy, delivering one of the most impressively repugnant performances of the year. It’s a return to the animalistic id…but also a viscerally, uncomfortably familiar take on entitled masculinity delivered with a self-satisfied smile, as a gossamer cover to the violent rage below.
Daniel Rutledge ofFlicksexpressed a similar sentiment about James McAvoy’s performance, stating in his review the following:
Anyone questioning the reason thisSpeak No Evilexists should rest assured there is an emphatic answer: James McAvoy celebrating his villain era. Hard.
The reviews ofSpeak No Evilthat praise James McAvoy’s performance are right on the money. The actor proves inSpeak No Evilthat he can perfectly build up visceral tension, making the audience question when his character will snap. The unnerving unpredictability unlocks a new level of fear whenever McAvoy’s character appears onscreen. Hopefully, the actor continues to embrace the horror genre moving forward, because he could easily become one of thebest horror actors of all time.
How 2024’s Speak No Evil Rotten Tomatoes Score Compares To The Original
Both Version Of Speak No Evil Are Highly Acclaimed On Rotten Tomatoes
Both the 2022 and 2024 versions ofSpeak No Evilare lauded by critics, possessing a Certified Fresh score on Rotten Tomatoes, which requires at least a 75% score with at least 80 reviews, five of which must come from Top Critics. The initial reviews of James McAvoy’s 2024 movieSpeak No Evilplace the remake slightly above the original, with 89% versus 84%.
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*Score as of 31-07-2025
Throughout its theatrical run, the film’s score may fluctuate slightly, butthe number shouldn’t change too drastically, considering the percentage is based on dozens of publications. Movies that drop or rise significantly after the first weekend don’t usually have so many reviews before the official release date.
Does Speak No Evil Have A Post-Credits Scene?
2024’s Speak No Evil remakes the 2022 Danish movie with Blumhouse and James McAvoy, and here’s whether there is a post-credits scene teasing more.
The last measure of comparison on Rotten Tomatoes is the Popcornmeter, which compares audience responses. As of August 15, 2025, there were no audience reviews for the Popcornmeter onSpeak No Evil. However, the remake could easily surpass the original since the 2022 Danish movie has a mediocre 55% Popcornmeter score.
Speak No Evil
Cast
Speak No Evil is a 2024 horror-thriller film by writer-director James Watkins. A remake of the 2022 movie Speak No Evil follows a family who head to the country for a much-needed vacation - but the situation quickly deteriorates, thrusting them into a horrific nightmare.
Speak No Evil is a psychological horror film directed by Christian Tafdrup. Released in 2022, the movie follows a Danish family who accepts an invitation to visit a Dutch family they met on vacation. As their stay progresses, the Danish couple starts to uncover the unsettling reality behind their hosts' hospitality, leading to a tense and disturbing climax. The film explores themes of social awkwardness and the dark undercurrents of human interaction.
