Speak No Evil

During their idyllic vacation in Tuscany, a Danish couple, Bjørn and Louise, are joined by their daughter, Agnes. They encounter a Dutch family, Patrick and Karin, and their son Abel, who was born with a rare condition known as congenital aglossia, which means he has no tongue. A few weeks later, the Danish family receives an invitation to visit the isolated countryside home of their Dutch friends, a proposition they eagerly accept.

After an exhausting eight-hour drive, they finally arrive. However, the initial days become increasingly uncomfortable for Louise as she observes passive-aggressive actions from their hosts. Patrick’s blatant disregard for her vegetarianism, along with his harsh treatment of Abel, coupled with Karin’s swearing, only intensifies her unease. The tensions rise further when Patrick invites Bjørn and Louise out for dinner, leaving the children under the supervision of a babysitter, Muhajid. Louise’s anxiety peaks when Patrick, under the influence of alcohol, challenges her dietary choices and behaves inappropriately with his partner in front of them.

In a disheartening turn of events, after a troubling dinner filled with manipulation and loud music, which Louise finds distressing, Agnes attempts to sleep next to her parents, but is taken by Patrick to their bedroom. When Louise discovers Agnes next to a naked Patrick, she and Bjørn decide to leave, but not before Agnes expresses her distress over losing her beloved rabbit doll, Ninus. Upon returning to confront their hosts about their swift departure, Patrick and Karin manage to persuade them to stay, presenting a façade of disappointment.

As the two families engage in activities together, like working in the yard or grocery shopping, Bjørn begins to bond with Patrick, who reveals a troubling sense of identity and emotional suppression. Meanwhile, Louise discovers troubling truths about Patrick when she accidentally injures herself in the kitchen, exposing Patrick’s lies about being a doctor; in reality, he is unemployed and disdainful of traditional work ethics.

Tensions erupt during a seemingly innocent dance performance from the children, revealing Patrick’s abusive nature towards Abel, leading to a confrontation between the two couples. That evening, Bjørn stumbles upon a disturbing cabin filled with photographs of Patrick and Karin with other families, hinting at a sinister pattern of deceit and murder. As it dawns on him that his family could potentially be the couple’s next targets, Bjørn discovers Abel’s lifeless body in the swimming pool.

In a desperate bid to escape with his family, Bjørn faces a dire situation when their car breaks down and they mistakenly trust Patrick, who manipulates them into believing he is coming to their aid. Tension escalates as Louise begins to question Patrick’s motives but is quickly overpowered. In a chilling turn, Muhajid arrives, restraining Louise while Karin horrifically cuts Agnes’ tongue. In a final act of brutal betrayal, Patrick confronts Bjørn and Louise, chillingly stating:

“Because you let me.”

Bjørn and Louise are dragged into a gruesome fate involving stoning to death. As the haunting narrative closes, a now mute Agnes is left to play the role of Patrick’s and Karin’s daughter, as they set their sights on another unsuspecting family, continuing their cycle of terror.

Last Updated: November 09, 2024 at 11:30