‘Speak No Evil’ Writer-Director James Watkins On Tackling A Reimagining And Making Scenes “As Excruciating As Possible”
deadline.comSPOILER ALERT:This interview contains plot details for the film Speak No Evil Blumhouse and Universal’s latest horror-thriller Speak No Evil, written and directed by James Watkins, is a reimagining of a Danish film of the same name by Danish filmmaker Christian Tafdrup.
The story follows a married couple, Louise (Mackenzie Davis) and Ben (Scoot McNairy), who accept an invitation to visit the beautiful English countryside and stay at the remote farmhouse of another couple, Paddy (James McAvoy) and Ciara (Aisling Franciosi) after meeting on vacation.
Once they arrive, though, it becomes clear that the charming English couple are much more nefarious than they seem. Here, the British filmmaker talks to Deadline about tailoring the Danish film for mainstream audiences, weaponizing the song “Eternal Flame,” casting and that ending. DEADLINE: The original Danish film only came out two years ago.
Would you call your version of Speak No Evil a remake? I feel it exists in its own realm. When were you approached to make it? JAMES WATKINS: I’ve been in conversation with Blumhouse in different ways for quite a long time since I made a film called Eden Lake.
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