Movie Review: Speak No Evil (2022)

SYNOPSIS:

A Danish family visits a Dutch family they met on holiday. What was supposed to be an idyllic weekend slowly begins to unravel as the Danes try to remain polite in the face of unpleasantness.

REVIEW:

No one likes to be involved in an awkward situation, but everyone likes to witness it. But in “Speak No Evil,” a Danish film that had its Canadian premiere at the Fantasia Festival, things escalate far beyond an uncomfortable silence at a dinner party. Far, far beyond.

A Danish family becomes friends with a Dutch one while on vacation in beautiful nature, while on a trip to Italy and become such good friends that they exchange personal information. A few months later, the Danish family is invited on a short vacation to the other clan’s home and go on a little road trip after accepting the invitation. Upon arrival, situations go from eyebrow-raising, to strange, to downright creepy. And that’s not even the worst of what’s to come.

Co-writer and director Christian Tafdrup unleashed a suspenseful tour de force on the unsuspecting Fantasia audience in downtown Montreal, Quebec. Those who had seen the trailer for “Speak No Evil” knew they were walking into a tense atmosphere with this film, but they had no idea to what extreme it would be taken. He has created a crescendo of awkward and shocking, culminating in a “Funny Games” level of sociopathy and despair. Tafdrup demonstrates unorthodox, yet captivating, directing techniques, such as his use of sheet music. An ominous soundtrack is used in what appears to be the most common of scenes, creating tension for the audience without anything threatening actually happening on screen. Then fantastically appealing music that you would rarely hear in a horror film can be heard in the most gruesome scenes, creating an important contrast for both types of passages. His camera shots, whether of the beautiful outdoor scenery or zoomed in on facial expressions in moments of discomfort, are equally entertaining in their own way.

Some events in the script are (intentionally) head-slapping moments. Of course they happen so that the movie can have a sequel, but they are also real life events that (usually) won’t have an excruciatingly painful outcome like in this movie, so despite it being established that some of the characters’ decisions seem ridiculous, they are perfectly human reactions. There are numerous instances where viewers will beg for the small, innocent family to keep driving or not accept certain suggestions, but unfortunately it will be to no avail. One of the main characters, Bjørn (Morten Burian), is so reserved and introverted that it sometimes becomes terribly annoying to see him remain almost inactive in moments when he should be thrashing around with all his might. The audience will definitely feel compelled to scream at the screen, compared to Bjørn. At the other end of the spectrum, the creepy Patrick (Fedja van Huêt) seems so convincing in his heartwarming and selfless ways, before finally revealing the hideous monster that he is, along with his equally convincing wife, Karin (Karina Smulders) .

There is a general sense of unease that pervades the film’s atmosphere as soon as Bjorn and his family arrive at their new friends’ home. That feeling mutates into pure fear and desperation as the story continues and events spiral out of control. Tafdrup is definitely a director to watch in the horror world because of this modern cult film he has shaped.

“Do not speak evil” could be divided into 3 acts. An introduction that seems uplifting and pleasant; a middle frame of strangeness and discomfort; culminating in an in-your-face shocker that will chew up your emotions and spit them out carelessly. When the pieces of the puzzle are put in place and the end credits roll up on the screen, the title of Christian Tafdrup’s hurricane of madness will take on a whole new meaning. Get ready, check your feelings in at the door, and let this Danish slice of hell ruin your day (in a good (?) way), getting a solid 8/10.