Actor James McAvoy possesses a remarkable ability to embody peculiar, yet intriguing characters.
His portrayal in M Night Shyamalan’s 2016 film Split received outstanding acclaim from audiences upon its release, making the decision to experience his latest thriller Speak No Evil for the first time at ComicCon with a crowd a natural choice.
“I might never again watch a film with an audience because it was incredible,” he shares with Sky News.
“Every time I hoped for a laugh, they laughed. Whenever I wanted them to feel shocked and terrified, they were indeed scared, and they astonished me with unexpected reactions throughout.”
“The most surprising moment was when people started throwing items at the screen during particularly aggressive moments of my character, which was astonishing.”
“It was fantastic.”
The film is a remake of the 2022 Christian Tafdrup thriller of the same name, set against the backdrop of the English countryside and Italy.
The narrative revolves around an American couple and their child who encounter another family during their vacation.
Upon returning to the UK, they decide to visit their newfound friends, leading to a series of chaotic events.
Produced by Blumhouse—known for hits like Get Out, Halloween, and The Purge—Speak No Evil was penned and produced by James Watkins and features actors such as Mackenzie Davis from Terminator: Dark Fate, Scoot McNairy from Argo, and Aisling Franciosi from The Fall.
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‘Compliant’ societies
The Scottish actor explains that the team “strived to achieve something unique with this film,” blending elements of thriller with humor, love, and tension.
“A central theme in the film is compliance and the extent to which we have adapted as a society. The film suggests that this compliance is a significant issue, as we tolerate reprehensible actions not only from individuals like Paddy but also from societal structures, governments, and institutions that govern our lives.”
He further remarks, “I believe we aimed to create something distinct with this film, and you can never be certain if you’ve succeeded or not. Fortunately, this project turned out as we had envisioned.”
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‘Not great with horror anymore’
Regarding his own film-watching tendencies, he admits to being “not particularly fond of horror anymore” and generally avoids the genre, including his own works.
“I don’t believe I have ever rewatched any film I have appeared in,” he states, adding, “it feels akin to flipping through an old photo album and thinking, that’s what I looked like at 33.”
“I don’t spend too much time reflecting on it. I try to avoid rewatching my work, and if my son wants to view something or a friend asks to watch something I’m featured in, I might join them, but it’s rare.”
Speak No Evil is currently screening in cinemas
