James McAvoy’s Twisted New Horror Movie Is Now Streaming (and Certified Fresh)

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As a movie connoisseur with over three decades of film-watching under my belt, I must say that James McAvoy’s latest psychological horror masterpiece, Speak No Evil, is an absolute gem. This remake of the Danish film has left quite an impression on me, and not just because it boasts a staggering 84% Certified Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It’s McAvoy’s most chilling performance yet, which is saying something given his stellar career in genre cinema.

The psychological horror movie, “Speak No Evil,” starring James McAvoy, debuts on Peacock this Friday, boasting an impressive 84% Certified Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes and one of McAvoy’s most chilling performances to date. Given his extensive career in genre cinema, with memorable roles in films like “Doctor Sleep,” “Split,” and “It Chapter Two,” this is quite an accomplishment. The reason for the film’s success is not surprising: it’s a Hollywood remake of the same-titled Danish film, which delivers a grim and unsettling narrative that continues to haunt even after the end credits have rolled.

The film titled “Speak No Evil” centers around an American family who are invited by a seemingly pleasant British family met on vacation, to spend a weekend at their picturesque countryside home. While the trip was intended to strengthen human bonds, things quickly take a strange turn once the Americans arrive. Despite director James Watkins altering the original ending for a less unsettling experience, the Hollywood adaptation of “Speak No Evil” remains a chilling horror movie that aims to instill fear in audiences towards other people.

Indeed, it’s clear that not everyone was pleased with Watkins’ alterations to the film. Christian Tafdrup, the director and co-writer of the original “Speak No Evil,” openly criticized the American remake for spoiling his intense finale. Many critics shared Tafdrup’s view, as they felt that the original movie delved into the unsettling realities of politeness-induced hardships, a theme that seemed diluted in the reimagined version. However, it’s worth noting that Watkins’ adaptation still managed to pull in a fair number of viewers at the box office.

Speak No Evil Successful Journey

In the spring of 2023, the journey for the film “Speak No Evil” to hit the screens began as Blumhouse Productions announced that Watkins would be in charge of writing and directing a remake of the Danish movie which had garnered acclaim on Shudder. The project picked up speed in April 2023 when James McAvoy and Mackenzie Davis agreed to star, with Scoot McNairy joining shortly after in May.

As a passionate cinephile, I embarked on an exhilarating cinematic journey that began capturing scenes in Croatia back in May 2023. Our production team was all set for the grand finale when, unfortunately, fate took an unexpected turn. Five days before wrapping up, filming had to be halted due to a sudden 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike.

Speak No Evil, produced on a budget of $15 million, had its premiere at the DGA Theater in New York City on September 9, 2024. It was then released in cinemas across the country on September 13. The movie showed great commercial potential, earning $11.5 million during its opening weekend and taking the second spot at the box office, trailing behind Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. By November 2024, it had grossed an impressive $76.7 million worldwide, with $36.9 million of that coming from domestic theaters. This strong performance has made Speak No Evil Blumhouse’s highest-grossing release of 2024, surpassing other films such as Imaginary, Night Swim, and Afraid.

You can now stream the movie “Speak No Evil” on Peacock. For those who like to own their movies, it’s also available on Blu-ray and DVD.

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2024-12-05 17:40