The chills are running high as James McAvoy unleashes a spine-tingling performance in the Netflix release of 'Speak No Evil', sending shivers down the spines of audiences across the UK. With its recent premiere on the streaming giant, this psychological horror has catapulted into the top 10 most-watched films, leaving fans scrambling to uncover the secrets behind its unsettling narrative.
Directed by James Watkins and born from a 2022 Danish-Dutch original, 'Speak No Evil' is an English-language adaptation that serves up a heady mix of suspense and dread. American couple Ben (Scoot McNairy) and Louise Dalton (Mackenzie Davis), along with their child, cross paths with the enigmatic British couple Paddy (James McAvoy) and Ciara (Aisling Franciosi) during a family holiday in Italy. But what begins as a friendly encounter descends into a terrifying series of events that exposes far more sinister secrets than anyone could have anticipated.
The film's sun-kissed opening sequences may be set against the picturesque backdrop of Italian paradise, but production crews actually laid the groundwork for these scenes in Croatia. The charming towns of Grožnjan and Motovun, along with the surrounding Kaldir area, provided a deceivingly idyllic holiday setting – one that belies the horrors to come.
As the story shifts gears, it's on to the seemingly idyllic British countryside farmhouse where the true terror unfolds. Although the movie suggests a trip down to the UK's south coast, these heart-stopping scenes were actually filmed at Three Ways Farm in Gloucestershire – a working 60-acre property with a long history of its own. Location scouts Duncan Laing and Ted Ladlow identified this hidden gem, where production took place over several weeks from May 2023, thanks to the warm welcome from the owners.
McAvoy, fresh from his BAFTA nominations for 'Atonement' and 'Split', delivers a chilling performance as Paddy that adds another layer of complexity to his already impressive career. With his unsettling portrayal paired with a compelling script and atmospherically charged locations, it's little wonder the film has captured both critical acclaim and audience attention – solidifying its place as a standout entry in the modern horror genre.