News

To celebrate the release of Speak No Evil available on DVD and Digital from 2nd December, we are giving away DVDs to 2 lucky winners!

The original Speak No Evil garnered praise and awards galore on its release in 2022, and now this unnerving, dread-inducing and unrelentingly gripping social satire of a chiller gets its home release this winter.

With the 2024 remake currently thrilling and chilling in UK cinemas, Acorn Media International is pleased to announce that the release of the original Danish horror from Christian Tafdrup is set for its DVD and digital release on 2 December.

The story follows a reserved Danish family – Bjorn (Morten Burian), Louise (Sidsel Siem Koch) and daughter, Agnes (Liva Forsberg) – who are on holiday in Tuscany. When they meet a fun-loving Dutch family, Patrick (Fedja van Huet), Karin (Karina Smulders) and their son, Abel (Marius Damslev), the two families hit it off immediately.

Back home the...

Prepare for a chilling December as Christian Tafdrup’s critically acclaimed Danish horror, Speak No Evil, finally arrives on DVD and digital in the UK. Acorn Media International has announced the home release date for 2 December 2024, allowing audiences to experience what many critics have hailed as one of the most unnerving films of recent years.

Initially released in 2022, Speak No Evil took the festival circuit by storm, premiering to high praise at Sundance and drawing accolades across the board. This psychological thriller examines the often sinister undertones of social etiquette, where manners and restraint clash with primal survival instincts.

The plot follows a seemingly ordinary Danish family – Bjorn (Morten Burian), Louise (Sidsel Siem Koch), and their young daughter, Agnes (Liva Forsberg) – as they vacation in Tuscany. There, they cross paths with a charismatic Dutch family, Patrick (Fedja van Huet), Karin (Karina Smulders), and their son, Abel (Marius Damslev), and an instant connection is formed.

Given that the best horror movies endeavor to embroil their characters in harrowing events, it adds a layer of pathos for the audience if these characters are also charismatic and compelling or simply innocent and undeserving. Indeed, there are times at which characters dont seem to get the endings they truly deserve. Whether they go out with a bang, sacrificing themselves for the good of the group, or become tragic figures who suffer unspeakable fates, many horror icons leave us longing for an alternative outcome.

Certain characters captivate viewers, their presence often becoming a key reason why audiences stay invested in the film, only to be devastated when our favorite ally meets an untimely end. Shocking movie endings are unforgettable, and character deaths are often easy fodder for big audience responses. But risks like this can leave viewers either emotionally shattered by their most beloved character's demise or fiendishly frustrated by how their story concludes.

The age of remakes, sequels, and requels is still upon us, and the latest remake in the horror genre is none other than Speak No Evil. Led by powerhouse performer James McAvoy and produced by Blumhouse, Speak No Evil is the American version of the Danish psychological horror film released only two years ago. The original film follows a mild-mannered Danish family who agree to visit a more outgoing Dutch family they met on vacation. Throughout their stay, the Danish family experiences what can only be described as "aggressively friendly" behavior from the Dutch family that becomes increasingly alarming as their visit progresses.

The original Danish film was made on a relatively small budget of just $3.2 million and made $631,249 as it was released theatrically in the Netherlands and Denmark in 2022. It eventually found its home on Shudder in September 2022 after a limited theatrical run in the U.S. In April...

When you purchase through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Speak No Evil is a psychological horror thriller film written and directed by James Watkins. Based on the 2022 Danish film of the same name written by Mads and Christian Tafdrup, the James McAvoy film follows the story of an American family as their dream holiday at a British family’s idyllic country estate turns into a nightmare because of a psychotic man. Speak No Evil also stars Mackenzie Davis, Aisling Franciosi, Scoot McNairy, Dan Hough, Alix West Lefler, and Motaz Malhees. So, if you loved the thrilling story, immense tension, and compelling characters in Speak No Evil here are some similar movies you should check out next.

Speak No Evil (AMC+ & Rent on Prime Video) Credit – Shudder

Speak No Evil is a Danish psychological horror thriller film directed by Christian Tafdrup from a screenplay co-written by Mads and Christian Tafdrup.

This post contains spoilers for "Speak No Evil."

2022 gave us some of the most original horror movies of recent years. Surprise hits like "Barbarian" and "Smile" received considerable recognition and made Disney and Paramount, respectively, a decent profit. But there were a host of innovative and novel horror delights which, though not as popular, pushed the boundaries of the genre in unique and often downright harrowing ways. If it wasn't "Skinamarink" with its liminal trauma nightmare, it was films such as "Speak No Evil" — a movie so upsetting its test screening responses ranged from, "The director has to be mentally examined," to, "This film should not be recommended to human beings."

The idea of a "disturbing movie" has almost become a sub-genre of horror itself. YouTube is littered with videos of TikTok types claiming to have watched "the most disturbing films so you don't have to" or running down a...

This post contains spoilers for "Speak No Evil."

Get ready for a new golden age of horror, as directors turn to the only genre besides superhero blockbusters that still brings people to movie theaters. Horror continues to evolve beyond its apparent genre confinements into a versatile tool for diverse and nuanced storytelling. We've already had standout examples of this with 2021's "His House," and the trend continued in 2022 with a slate of fascinating horror fare that included the genre confounding "Barbarian" and Jordan Peele's "Nope" -- none of which were as disturbing, though, as "Speak No Evil."

The setup is simple: Two families meet while on a Tuscany excursion. By the end of their vacation, Danish couple, Bjørn (Morten Burian) and Louise (Sidsel Siem Koch), are comfortable enough with Dutch couple Patrick (Fedja van Huêt) and Karin (Karina Smulders) to accept an invitation to their country house in The Netherlands.

It takes a lot to rattle my bones these days, but Christian Tafdrup's Danish psychological horror film "Speak No Evil" will stay with me for a long, long time. The film centers on a Danish family who befriend a Dutch family while on vacation, only to be invited months later to their home for a bit of a friendly reunion. The setup is conventional, almost unassuming — after all, it's a similar setup to the John Cena comedy "Vacation Friends." But "Speak No Evil" isn't a rousing buddy comedy, it's a devastating horror film. As can be predicted, the Dutch family's intentions are not at all what the Danish family expected, and they are suddenly thrust into a nightmarish weekend holiday and a fight for their lives.

As Bjørn (Morten Burian), Louise (Sidsel Siem Koch), and their daughter Agnes (Liva Forsberg) begin to suspect Patrick (Fedja van Huêt), Karin (Karina Smulders...

Can you believe we’re already halfway through September? The Halloween Season is underway and time is moving fast, and as always we want to make sure you’re making the most of the season by watching as many brand new horror movies as you possibly can.

This week, another Seven new ones are on the way!

Here’s all the new horror arriving September 13 – September 18, 2022.

Saban Films entered the House of Darkness in limited theaters this past Friday, and the Dracula-inspired horror movie is now available on VOD platforms beginning today.

Drag Me to Hell and Tusk‘s Justin Long and Kate Bosworth (Black Rock, Before I Wake) both star in this seductive thriller from director Neil Labute (The Wicker Man).

In the film…

“Driving home to her secluded estate after meeting at a local bar, a player out to score thinks his beautiful, mysterious date will be another casual hook-up.

When young Agnes (Liva Forsberg) loses her beloved toy bunny, Ninus, as they’re wandering round a small Tuscan town, her father Bjørn (Morten Burian) goes to find him. When he returns, he finds Agnes and her mother, Louise (Sidsel Siem Koch) chatting to a family they met at the their hotel: Patrick (Fedja van Huêt), Karin (Karina Smulders) and young Abel (Marius Damslev). Patrick congratulates him on finding Nimus and tells him it was real heroism, pressing the point. Bjørn is uncomfortable. Is he being praised or mocked? This, together with Abel’s general look of unhappiness, is the first warning sign.

If you’re a non-confrontational person, you’ll understand the desire to overlook such behaviours, even when they happen a few times, and to give people the benefit of the doubt. Friend ship develops between the two families easily enough, and it’s only in Agnes’ company...

Speak No Evil Trailer — Christian Tafdrup‘s Speak No Evil (2022) movie trailer has been released by IFC Films and Shudder. The Speak No Evil trailer stars Morten Burian, Sidsel Siem Koch, Fedja Van Huêt, Karina Smulders, Liva Forsberg, and Marius Damslev. Crew Christian Tafdrup and Mads Tafdrup wrote the screenplay for Speak No [...]

Continue reading: Speak No Evil (2022) Movie Trailer: A Reunion of Two Families Turns Unnerving then Sinister...

There are horror movies, and then there's "Speak No Evil," a new Shudder original that will incessantly haunt you for the foreseeable future. The soul-chilling satirical tale now has a trailer, and the sneak peek hammers home just how uncomfortable and horrifying this film truly is. After seeing the Danish tale, you will think twice about everyone you speak to for the rest of your life -- and I wish I was exaggerating. 

In the trailer, we meet a family who has spent the summer vacationing among other families. One couple, with whom our protagonists felt a connection during their trip, invites them to spend some time at their remote home. That invitation has unsuspected, drastic, and sickening consequences. The official plot summary from Shudder is: "One family accepts an invitation to the rural home of another they met on holiday, only to find their lives altered in unexpected, deeply horrifying way.

"No one's forcing you to stay, but I really hope you do." Shudder & IFC have revealed an official trailer for a crazy new indie horror film from Denmark titled Speak No Evil, which initially premiered at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival in the Midnight section. A Danish family visits a Dutch family they met on a holiday. What was supposed to be an idyllic weekend slowly starts unraveling as the Danes try to stay polite in the face of unpleasantness. What exactly happens? You have to watch and find out. One description says "their lives [are] altered in unexpected, deeply horrifying way." Reviews say it's "a frightening fable about the rise of complacency in the face of evil over the past decade." The mostly English-language film stars Morten Burian, Sidsel Siem Koch, Fedja Van Huêt, Karina Smulders, Liva Forsberg, Marius Damslev. This is a great trailer that doesn't give away much of...

Directed by Christian Tafdrup, horror film Speak No Evil is on the way from IFC Midnight and Shudder, coming to select theaters next month and streaming on Shudder September 15.

IFC Midnight’s release brings the film to theaters in NY and LA on September 9.

Watch the tense Speak No Evil trailer below.

In Speak No Evil, “On a vacation in Tuscany, two families – one Danish, one Dutch – meet and become fast friends. Months later, the free-spirited Dutch family extends an invitation to the more conservative Danish one for a holiday weekend getaway at their countryside home.

“However, it doesn’t take long before things gradually get out of hand as the joy of reunion is replaced with misunderstandings. The Dutch hospitality quickly turns unnerving for the Danes, and they find themselves increasingly caught in a web of their own politeness in the face of eccentric…or is it sinister…behavior.

With Speak No Evil, filmmaker Christian Tafdrup has easily crafted what will probably be one of the most divisive genre films of 2022, which I mean purely as a compliment. And while it’s hard to say that I enjoyed everything about the film (because of just how hard Speak No Evil goes in its latter half), I think the fact that the story Christian has co-written with his brother Mads Tafdrup is so unapologetically unflinching and unnerving is easily the movie’s greatest asset. Even if you think you know where Speak No Evil is heading, nothing—and I mean nothing—can prepare you for the horrors that Tafdrup conjures up with his wickedly provocative examination of the dangers of civility.

Speak No Evil starts off innocently enough, as a Danish couple Bjørn (Morten Burian) and Louise (Sidsel Siem Koch), are enjoying their vacation in Tuscany with their young daughter...

Fast friendships formed during the idyllic getaways of carefree vacations can have a way of souring when reassessed in the starker light of the real world. Though that’s an understatement compared to the blood-curdling horror in store for an innocent Danish family in Speak No Evil, when they reconnect on less neutral ground with a Dutch couple they first encountered amid the rolling green hills of Tuscany. Christian Tafdrup’s satire of how socially conditioned middle-class politeness can dull our self-protection instincts is effective as a startling shot of inhuman cruelty, even if its vicious conclusion is short on psychological illumination.

Acquired out of Sundance’s Midnight section by AMC’s horror platform Shudder for release in North America, the U.K. and Ireland later this year, the film’s elegance makes its savagery even more disturbing. Inching under the viewer’s skin at first with an uncomfortable situation...

Speak No Evil is terrifying, shocking, and deeply, deeply unsettling. There’s no getting around the upset factor. Audiences who catch this Sundance entry from Denmark should be warned: this one’s gonna hurt. The latest from Christian Tafdrup has the brutal shock value of George Sluizer’s The Vanishing and gut-punching, visceral impact of Haneke’s Funny Games. Speak No Evil does not reach the level of ingenuity and freshness found in those similarly potent antecedents. But what it lacks in originality is compensated in chilling execution.

It’s the third feature from Tafdrup, a Danish writer-director who co-penned Evil with his brother, Mads Tafdrup. And it’s a smart, deceptive script. For more than half the film, Speak No Evil plays as dark comedy of manners, Ruben Östlund-style. Its tone slowly shifts, growing darker and stranger. Evil is ultimately revealed to be a horror film rooted in some key societal issues.

The fear of seemingly harmless strangers that’s heightened during our era of online “relationships” (not to mention Covid) is cannily exploited in actor-turned-writer-director Christian Tafdrup’s “Speak No Evil.” Building on the thorny couple dynamics of his prior features “Parents” and “A Horrible Woman,” this excruciatingly.

Tafdrup’s squirm-inducing tale is premiering in Sundance’s Midnight section, and should find ready berth among genre fans, with strong potential for remake bids. (Distribution rights have already been secured by horror streaming service Shudder.) At the same time, its all-too-palpable cruelty will repel some viewers, in the same way such prior atypical horrors as the original “Wolf Creek” and both editions of “Funny Games” did.

A grim final destination is all the more upsetting because the over-the-top melodrama of Sune Kolst’s orchestral score, applied straightaway to a simple opening shot of a car driving down a road at night, suggests...

Speak No Evil was one of the hot works-in-progress projects at last month’s online Nordic Film Market in Goteborg.

TrustNordisk has closed a string of deals on Danish director Christian Tafdrup’s Speak No Evil, now in post.

The film has sold to Australia and New Zealand (The Reset Collective); Benelux (September Film); Russia and Cis (Capella Film); and Hungary (Ads Service).

Speak No Evil was one of the hot works-in-progress projects at last month’s online Nordic Film Market in Goteborg. Tafdrup moves into genre for the first time with the film, which combines drama, social commentary and psychological horror.