'Speak No Evil': A Thrilling Look At Life’s Mediocrities {Sundance Movie Review}

Before I watched the film Speak No Evil at Sundance’s virtual festival, a programmer introduced the film and said that it may’ve been the first film selected for the program this year. I can see why, and director Christian Tafdrup follows this introduction by appearing to tell us that it’s okay to not like this film. Perhaps I’ve been duped by reverse psychology but it appears like Tafdrup has made the film he truly wanted to and it is a well-oiled machine with tension and heartbreak to spare. I enjoyed it thoroughly and can confirm it is certainly not for the faint of heart. 

[SLIGHT SPOILERS]

While vacationing in Tuscany, Danish couple Bjørn (Morten Burian) and Louise (Sidsel Siem Koch) meet a Dutch couple named Patrick (Fedja van Huêt) and Karin (Karina Smulders) and since both families have kids and speak the same language they are drawn to each other, although Patrick and Karin are clearly more interested in connecting. Time passes, Bjørn hides his dissatisfaction with daily life in a series of goofy smiles and long periods of staring off into the distance. And then the postcard comes with an invitation for the Danes to visit the Dutch countryside that is only an eight hour drive away. With their daughter Agnes in tow (Liva Forsberg) they apprehensively depart. 

The home has space but isn’t exactly what they were expecting, nor are their hosts. There are miscommunications, disagreements on the proper ways to raise children, and a frightening moment where the son Abel (Marius Damslev) opens his mouth as though to scream but can’t because, as we’re told, he was born without much of a tongue. This is one of the film's high points as Bjørn watches in confusion. Many of the other high-tension moments happen as Patrick becomes more pushy, his eyes always seeming ready for a fight, and insisting Louise eat land meats even though she’s a pescatarian. But just as you feel like the two couples will part, there is a draw for the visitors to stay that has been set up beautifully throughout the movie. And anyways, there is always a bit of shame in offending a host. 
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Like many older horror movies, horns blare and ominous music blares even in the first ten minutes when things seem happy enough. This is a social study on the way various cultures organize a household and a look at mediocrity. Bjørn lets out a scream  at one point and seems so relieved that the daily routine has been stopped, at least for a little while by this strange and always-changing vacation.  That is, until the film reaches it’s finale.
 
I’ll admit I became a bit frustrated towards the end of the film; not with the ending, but with the steps to get there. After spending so much time with Bjorn and Louise, I had hoped to see them work together more before the inevitable happened. The ending is bitter to be sure and once it was over, I went on a quiet walk outside because sunshine was definitely needed. I can’t fault a director for accomplishing this and Tafdrup has checked off some of the most common conflicts between married couples and found a way to keep them engaging. He’s put up the pins of a sad thriller and knocked them down with just a few perceivable hiccups as far as I can tell. If you ever happen to find yourself vacationing with someone you’ve only met once on a trip to another country, let others know where you are. Just a bit of advice.  

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Author

Davis Clark has been a horror fan since he was a little kid and watched Scream and Jaws for the first time. He graduated with a degree in theatre education and a Georgia Film Academy Certificate from Columbus State University and is known for his huge film collection and a passion for the industry. He’s written film reviews for college papers, worked as a PA, short film writer, and actor and can’t wait to do more with the HorrOrigins team! He’ll soon be appearing in the short film Wild HR which will be shown at the OutlantaCon Short Film Festival and can be found getting stalked by Ghostface in the YouTube video Return To Woodsboro.