Original Speak No Evil Director Slams Ending of American Remake

As a connoisseur of international horror films with a soft spot for dark and disturbing tales, I must confess that my heart lies with the original Danish version of “Speak No Evil.” Having traversed the chilling landscapes of Nordic noir and delved into the psychological depths of Scandinavian cinema, I find the stark contrast between the bleak, unforgiving endings of these films and the more conventional Hollywood fare to be a refreshing reminder of the power of storytelling in different cultural contexts.

Currently playing in cinemas, Speak No Evil, directed by James Watkins, is a remake of the 2022 Danish film with the same title by Christian Tafdrup. The response to Watkins’ film has generally been positive from both audiences and critics. However, Tafdrup himself isn’t among those expressing approval. In an interview with the Danish radio show Kulturen (via World of Reel), Tafdrup criticized the Hollywood adaptation for giving Speak No Evil a “happy ending,” suggesting that this was a reflection of a deep-seated cultural preference in America for the good guys to triumph.

In a statement made yesterday, Tafdrup expressed his viewpoint about a movie he watched. He noted that a film featuring characters being executed by stoning, as depicted in our movie, would not find success. Instead, the American version of the story should focus on the characters battling for their family and vanquishing the villains, which he described as a more fitting climax. Tafdrup believes this theme runs so strongly through American culture that they should be able to effectively present it.

For those who might not be acquainted with the Danish movie “Speak No Evil,” it revolves around a Danish duo, Björn and Louise, who visit a Dutch couple’s countryside home for a weekend getaway. However, they soon discover that their hosts, Patrick and Karin, are ruthless serial killers with a chilling pattern – they target families to murder them, kidnap their children, and then begin the cycle anew. The movie concludes tragically as Björn and Louise meet a grisly end at the hands of Patrick, and their daughter Agnes, now mute due to her tongue having been removed, has been used by Patrick and Karin in their ongoing quest to target more families.

In the American adaptation, Ben and Louise (their Danish counterparts) put up a fierce resistance against Paddy and Ciara (their Dutch counterparts). This confrontation results in Louise killing Ciara and Ant, the child being manipulated by Paddy and Ciara. Afterwards, Agnes incapacitates Paddy with a ketamine injection he’d attempted on her earlier. In the end, the family, including Ant, escapes, having triumphed over the killers. The two movies feature dramatically contrasting conclusions, a detail that Tafdrup observed while watching viewers’ reactions. Tafdrup noted that audiences exiting the remake were highly energized, clapping, laughing, and cheering – much like being at a rock concert. This is in stark contrast to his film, where viewers often left feeling traumatized instead.

As a dedicated admirer, I’ve always been curious about the modifications made to the movie. Interestingly enough, Watkins himself has shed light on this matter, explaining that these alterations stem from diverse cultural viewpoints shaping their decisions.

In response to queries about why he didn’t remake the original movie, Watkins stated to SFX magazine, as reported by GamesRadar, that some viewers might wonder about a more intense, relentless ending. However, Watkins defends his approach, stating that he is staying true to his characters and their journey, focusing on agency and reactions. He maintains that he has drawn inspiration from Christian’s film for its satire, exploration of social norms, and the way we respond to them.

The movie titled “Speak No Evil,” featuring Mackenzie Davis, Scoot McNairy, James McAvoy, and Aisling Franciosi, is currently showing in cinemas.

2024-09-20 08:09

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