A masterclass in tension building topped by a devilishly phenomenal James McAvoy, James Watkins’ Speak No Evil makes for one hell of an experience in “eggshell walking.” And for those that have seen the original (2022’s Danish film of the same name), dare I say that this is well worth a watch also - even if they do pull some of the more extreme punches. It’s not toothless though, not by a long shot. In fact, the ending (which serves as the biggest change) is full of twisted, bloody fun. Yep, I said it. In a sick way, you’ll have legit fun watching the insane horrors play out – easily rooting for certain characters to survive and for others to get theirs. This, in part, is thanks to the impeccable performances – namely by the aforementioned James McAvoy. The now seasoned actor gives a true Jekyll and Hyde turn as Paddy. Trust me, there’s a lot going on with this character, and McAvoy portrays all of it with just one look. As for the story at hand, it’s certainly captivating. Perfect? Not quite. Being that this remake is a mainstream horror flick aimed at North American audiences, it can’t help but veer into trope-heavy territory at times. There will be a lot of “now, why’d they do that?” and “wouldn’t they just…” going on your head. Regardless, it never gets too silly or campy, staying the course with untainted suspense and dread. So, when it comes to top-shelf psychological thrills, then Speak No Evil deserves to be seen, heard and spoken about!