Speak No Evil

Speak No Evil

Year: 2022

Runtime: 97 min

Language: English

Director: Christian Tafdrup

Echo Score: 74

Budget: $3.2M

DramaThrillerHorror

During a vacation in Tuscany, a Dutch family befriends a Danish couple, and an invitation to their home in Denmark follows. What begins as a pleasant weekend retreat slowly descends into a disturbing ordeal. As the hosts’ behavior becomes increasingly bizarre and unsettling, the Danes find themselves unable to leave, and the veneer of politeness cracks to reveal a sinister undercurrent. The weekend becomes a tense exploration of social boundaries, trust, and the potential for darkness beneath a facade of warmth.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Speak No Evil yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – Speak No Evil (2022)

Trace every key event in Speak No Evil (2022) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Vacation in Tuscany

Bjørn and Louise, a Danish couple, embark on a serene vacation in Tuscany with their daughter Agnes. The picturesque landscape sets the backdrop for their family getaway, but tensions soon begin to arise.

Tuscany
2

Meeting the Dutch Family

While in Tuscany, the family meets Patrick, Karin, and their son Abel, who struggles with a rare condition called congenital aglossia, leaving him without a tongue. The encounter introduces an undercurrent of discomfort that will plague their vacation.

Tuscany
3

Invitation to the Countryside

A few weeks later, the Danish family receives an invitation to visit the secluded countryside home of their Dutch friends. With excitement, Bjørn and Louise accept the proposition, eager to deepen their friendship.

Dutch Countryside
4

The Long Drive

The family embarks on an exhausting eight-hour drive to visit Patrick and Karin. The journey is filled with anticipation, but little do they know that discomfort awaits them at their destination.

Road to Dutch Countryside
5

Increasing Tension

Upon arrival, the initial comfort fades as Louise witnesses passive-aggressive actions from their hosts. Patrick’s disrespect for her vegetarian lifestyle and his harsh treatment of Abel raise significant alarms for her.

Dutch countryside home
6

Dinner Invitation

Patrick invites Bjørn and Louise out for dinner, leaving the children with a babysitter named Muhajid. The dinner becomes a source of anxiety for Louise as Patrick's alcohol-fueled behavior escalates into inappropriate commentary.

Dining area
7

Disturbing Discoveries

After a troubling dinner filled with chaos, Louise finds Agnes in a precarious situation with Patrick. This leads to a tense decision by the couple to leave, but a sense of manipulation from their hosts complicates the matter.

Patrick's home
8

Bonding and Lies

As Bjørn engages with Patrick, he uncovers a troubling identity and scornful views on work. Meanwhile, Louise's accidental injury leads to shocking revelations about Patrick’s false claims of being a doctor.

Yard and Kitchen
9

Dance Performance

A seemingly innocent dance among the children leads to a heartbreaking display of Patrick’s abusive nature towards Abel. The confrontation between the two couples reveals escalating tensions and hidden truths.

Living room
10

The Disturbing Cabin

While exploring the area, Bjørn stumbles upon a disturbing cabin filled with photographs hinting at Patrick and Karin's past sinister actions. This discovery raises alarms about the safety of his own family.

Nearby cabin
11

Tragedy Strikes

The shocking discovery of Abel’s lifeless body in the swimming pool starkly reveals the danger the Danish family is in. Bjørn realizes they must escape before becoming the next targets.

Swimming pool
12

Car Trouble

In a desperate attempt to flee, Bjørn faces a dire situation when their car breaks down. Trusting Patrick for help proves to be a grave mistake as manipulations mount.

Main road
13

Escalating Violence

As tensions rise, Louise begins to question Patrick's intentions, but is soon overpowered by circumstances beyond her control. A horrifying incident ensues when Karin cuts Agnes' tongue as a brutal act of betrayal.

Dutch countryside home
14

Final Confrontation

In a chilling showdown, Patrick confronts Bjørn and Louise with the menacing statement, 'Because you let me.' This moment marks the turning point leading to their horrific fate.

Living room
15

The Haunting Conclusion

The film closes with the harrowing fate of Bjørn and Louise, who fall victim to a gruesome ritual. Their daughter Agnes, now mute, is left in the clutches of Patrick and Karin, perpetuating a cycle of terror.

Unknown location

Last Updated: November 09, 2024 at 11:30

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Movies about the horror of politeness like Speak No Evil

Where civilized facades crack to reveal unbearable cruelty and control.If you liked the suffocating dread of Speak No Evil, explore more movies where social niceties mask a terrifying reality. This thread gathers psychological thrillers and horror films about toxic hospitality, violation of trust, and the dark consequences of being too polite to leave.

unsettlingclaustrophobicanxiousdreadfulpsychologicaloppressivetense

Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread typically begin with a seemingly benign social interaction—a dinner party, a weekend visit, a new friendship—that steadily warps into a psychological trap. The plot revolves around the protagonists' growing discomfort and their internal struggle between maintaining civility and confronting the escalating threat, often leading to a feeling of profound powerlessness.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their shared focus on the psychological terror inherent in social conformity. They use a slow, methodical pacing to build dread from mundane interactions, creating a unique brand of horror that feels disturbingly close to real-life anxieties about fitting in and saying no.

Thrillers about families in danger like Speak No Evil

Ordernal families confronted with extreme evil, stripped of all agency.For viewers seeking the visceral fear of family endangerment found in Speak No Evil, this collection highlights thrillers and horror movies where ordinary parents and children face sinister forces. Discover similar stories of psychological torment, loss of agency, and the brutal cost of protecting your family.

dreadfulstressfulhopelessdisturbingterrifyingheart-wrenchingoppressive

Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a family as they are systematically stripped of their autonomy and safety by a manipulative or violent antagonist. The journey is one of escalating terror and despair, focusing on the parents' futile attempts to shield their children and the heartbreaking realization of their powerlessness, often culminating in a tragic outcome.

Why These Movies?

These movies share a core theme of primal fear: the threat to one's family. They generate high tension and emotional weight by placing relatable characters in scenarios where traditional solutions fail, creating a profound sense of dread and vulnerability that resonates on a deeply emotional level.

Unlock the Full Story of Speak No Evil

Don't stop at just watching — explore Speak No Evil in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Speak No Evil is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Speak No Evil Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Speak No Evil, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Speak No Evil Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Speak No Evil

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Speak No Evil. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Speak No Evil

Speak No Evil Ending Explained

What really happened at the end of Speak No Evil? This detailed ending explained page breaks down final scenes, hidden clues, and alternate interpretations with expert analysis and viewer theories.

Speak No Evil Ending Explained

Speak No Evil Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Speak No Evil that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Speak No Evil Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Speak No Evil

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Speak No Evil: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Speak No Evil

Similar Movies to Speak No Evil

Discover movies like Speak No Evil that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.