Speak No Evil

| 2022

Directed by: Christian Tafdrup

Movie poster for Speak No Evil (2022)

Main Plot

Speak No Evil follows a Danish family who, while on vacation in Italy, befriends a Dutch couple. The two families enjoy a seemingly pleasant time together, leading to an invitation to visit each other's homes. However, when the Danish family visits the Dutch couple, they quickly realize that their hosts have a darker side. The atmosphere shifts from friendly to unsettling as the Danish family encounters increasingly bizarre and disturbing behavior from their hosts. Tensions rise as cultural differences and social norms clash, leading to a series of uncomfortable situations. As the visit progresses, the Danish family grapples with their discomfort and the moral dilemmas of politeness versus self-preservation, ultimately revealing the complexities of human interaction and the potential for darkness lurking beneath the surface of seemingly ordinary relationships.

Characters

  • Morten Burian plays Bjørn, a Danish man who, along with his family, visits a Dutch couple, leading to increasingly unsettling and sinister events.
  • Sidsel Siem Koch plays Louise, a mother whose family vacation turns into a nightmare when they visit another family, revealing dark secrets and escalating tensions.
  • Fedja van Huêt plays Patrick, a seemingly friendly host whose sinister intentions gradually unravel, leading to a tense and disturbing confrontation with his guests.

Ending Explained

In the ending of Speak No Evil, the tension escalates as the protagonist, a Danish family, faces the horrifying consequences of their decision to visit a seemingly friendly Dutch couple. Throughout their stay, the atmosphere becomes increasingly unsettling, revealing the couple's disturbing behavior and intentions. The climax occurs when the protagonist realizes that their attempts to maintain politeness and avoid confrontation have led them into a trap. As the situation spirals out of control, the protagonist is forced to confront the reality of their naivety and the dangers of ignoring red flags. The final scenes depict a harrowing confrontation, where the protagonist must make a desperate choice to escape the escalating violence. The film concludes with a chilling resolution, emphasizing the themes of moral ambiguity and the consequences of inaction. The ending leaves the audience with a sense of dread, as it highlights the fragility of civility and the potential darkness lurking beneath seemingly benign interactions. Ultimately, Speak No Evil serves as a cautionary tale about the perils of politeness and the importance of recognizing when to stand up for oneself in the face of malevolence.

Christian Tafdrup Drama Horror Thriller Morten Burian Sidsel Siem Koch Fedja van Huêt