Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘Speak No Evil’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains minor spoilers for the motion picture, ‘Speak No Evil’.

​Something that is difficult for a great deal of us, is openly trusting strangers that only recently came into our lives. Because, while they were likely friendly and chill during our first encounter… we simply don’t know them and their intentions. And since so many of us have been burned emotionally by being trusting toward ‘nice’ people that eventually took advantage of us or hurt us, we simply struggle to let the new folks in. Not to mention… we hear horror stories about how some trusting individuals end up being badly harmed by individuals that were eager to take advantage of that trust, and that too… leaves one nervous to just open the doors to our emotions. 
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But at the same time… if we don’t trust others to a certain extent, we could miss out on the friendship or the love affair of a lifetime and the thought of missing out on that… pushes us to do the thing and trust as best we can and see what happens. But this constant back and forth in our minds regarding whether or not we should trust in the first place can be exhausting and of course… it motivates all of us to wonder, what we should do? Should we just throw caution to the wind and trust with reckless abandon? Or should we be always cautious? Well at it turns out, there is a brand-new horror film on Shudder that explores the answers to those questions… in the most terrifying and harrowing way imaginable in Speak No Evil.

A feat that this movie accomplishes, by whisking us away on vacation to Tuscany. Where we meet a pair of families at a lovely getaway destination, one of which… is eager to make new friends. Because Patrick and Karin, are firm believers that people should acquire as many friends as possible, and they seem to click with Bjorn and Louise during their stay… to the point where they invite them and their daughter Agnes to their home in Holland. An invitation that surprises Bjorn and Louise, to the point where they are unsure if they should accept it or not. For they simply don’t know this couple and aren’t sure if they are trustworthy in the slightest. But of course, the chance to make new friends makes them take the plunge and sadly… it doesn’t take long for Bjorn and Agnes to take issue with their hosts and their son, Abel… and little do they know that the strange and rude behavior being exhibited is merely the beginning of a nightmare vacation that this family will come to regret.

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Which is at first glance, a plot that seems to be more of a warning than a lesson in trust. For Patrick and Karin are textbook jerkwads that should not and cannot be trusted in this film… for so many reasons. Since they are of course, supremely rude to their guests, they’re abusive to their son and they’re irresponsible and reckless. Not to mention, they are hiding a horrible and terrifying secret. One that leads to all the horror elements in this tale. Since this couple has indeed invited their guests to their estate for a nefarious reason and that leads to a stunning and shocking, and downright bleak finale. One that gives the end of Night of the Living Dead a run for its money, making this a solid horror film through and through, one that does indeed feature the answers we seek.

For in essence, this is a movie that informs us, that we should take the time to engage in trust. Because we don’t know where that trust will lead us, and it is better to err on the side of potential over caution. But… make no mistake about it, if by chance concerns arise or the gut comes into play with that bad feeling about a person, we should obey those worries and hold to our concerns, and address them ASAP. Because they are likely right and worth listening to and the proof behind this theory, is in the proverbial pudding here. Because Bjorn and Louise are confronted with so, so, so many red flags here. But they keep trying to err on the side of courtesy and the spirit of friendship and it costs them dearly in the end, but thankfully… their folly is our gain since we learn so much from their actions. 

In the end, it’s safe to declare this particular horror film as quite cerebral in nature. Since it does require an observant eye and thoughtful mind, thanks to the mystery surrounding our villainous couple and it does leave you with a lot to chew upon. But before you proceed with this film, do be warned… it is a true slow burner through and through, which can be off-putting to some. So, if those don’t always agree with you, this writer asks that you give it a chance and stick with it until the end, because the third act is off the wall terrifying and the best news of all… is that you don’t have to wait another minute to enjoy this gem. For Speak No Evil is available to stream on Shudder right now and we here at NTG hope you give it a look. Because this one, really is a nightmare come to life.  

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