Why the 2024 remake “had to end in a different way,” James McAvoy explains

This article contains heavy spoilers for Speak No EvilSay no evil Star James McAvoy and director James Watkins discuss the changes to the film’s ending. Christian Taffdrup’s 2022 remake of the Danish movie follows an American family who befriend a couple who invite them to their country estate, where things quickly begin to unravel. Say no evil McAvoy, Mackenzie Davis, Aisling Franciosi, Scoot McNairy, Alix West Leffler and Dan Hough have a team. The movie opened, with great reviews Many critics highlighted McAvoy’s terrific performance.

while talking to GameRadar+Watkins shares why he decided to change the brutal ending to 2022 Say no evil. I explain that He already had a similar dark ending with the 2008 film, Eden LakeWhich was not far from Tafdrup’s film. The director felt that it would be repetitive for the audience, so he chose a different path by following the story and themes that would lead to a conclusion that made sense. Read his comments below:

They wish they had been through the wringer. I made this film a long time ago, Eden Lake, which has a very dark ending, very similar in many ways to a Christian movie, and I really didn’t want to do it again. I didn’t want to rub the audience’s face in it again, and I don’t think that would be honest. [I just went by] Where the story took me and where the themes and characters took me.”

In an interview with Dr Entertainment WeeklyThe director also admitted that cultural differences warranted a change for the ending, as Americans would act differently than a Danish family in the original. This became clear after his conversation with McNairy, who confirmed the filmmaker’s concerns, viz Americans will be more reactive than fully compliant in a dangerous situation. Read the comments below:

“Partly because I had American characters, I didn’t want them to conform completely. I didn’t believe they would. I talked to Scoot about it, and he was like, ‘No way, man. I’m from Texas.’ It’s like when you get to the point where you and your child are in grave danger, even if you do it irrationally – and they’re willfully incompetent – you at least
try
Whether it is to run, to hide, to fight. I think this is a difference in my movies. And I intentionally wanted to explore how people behave when faced with that violence. Because now we’re in a world — again, this is an extension of the theme, I think — where we’re in a civilized society and don’t have that violence. So when you’re faced with it, how do you behave?”

In the same interview with Dr gameradar+, Filmmaker 2024 is broke Say no evil The ending, where there is a resolution, is different from the 2022 original. Despite the more satisfying conclusion, the director claims that the remake still doesn’t have a completely happy ending, considering the trauma that Dalton and Ant face throughout the movie. So, when Paddy and Siara were defeated, It still came at a price where survivors would be scarred. Read his full breakdown below:

“I thought, ‘Well, actually, here’s a dramatic resolution.’ Of course, they walk away but it’s not like they’re suddenly pulling crackers and laughing and joking, right, you know, if they walked away? I don’t know, ‘Eternal Flame’ was playing on the radio, and they were all laughing yeah , would it be stupid?

“I know people who have different readings on it; it’s very deliberate. Rice has “lost,” so to speak, but at the same time, is the ant taking up the mantle? What he just did is [going to] Hopefully in the final shot, you’ll see it’s not an entirely happy ending. It’s not the end of Hollywood in that respect. Ant, his cry at the end, sure, may have an element of redemption, but it’s kind of sad, you know? You’re not looking at this guy and going, ‘That’s great. he’s gone Her life is going to be sweet and rosy.’ You’re seeing trauma that’s going to be intergenerational. I mean, yeah for Paddy and Ciara, it doesn’t end well for them, but I’m not sure it does for anyone. Everyone comes out unscathed.”

talking to The Hollywood ReporterMcAvoy also spoke about the changes made Say no evilIt’s the latter actor who explained that the director ultimately told a different story with more hope. McAvoy also dives into the role of Paddy, says That their version of the story was not intended to legitimize Paddy’s actions or opinions. Read his full comments below:

Yeah, I wouldn’t have minded as long as it was understandable and well written. The difference in our film is that everything that came before it doesn’t lead to the end. I don’t believe Ben and Louise will accept this. James was telling a slightly different story, and he was trying to say something with more hope at the end, even though it was still pretty brutal at the end. He wanted to discuss social consent, but he wanted to tell a story about someone like Paddy, who is completely outrageous. And for the audience to see me and enjoy me in this outrageous character with the worst kind of chauvinistic, un-PC, medieval view, then the movie has to be judged by Paddy. The movie ultimately doesn’t validate Paddy, otherwise, you’re validating those opinions as well, I suppose. So, anyway, I think the movie should have ended differently, but to be honest with you, I didn’t see the original movie until after our last movie, so it wasn’t on my mind.

Is the ending of The Speak No Evil remake better than the original?

The 2024 version has a more satisfying ending though still traumatizing.

until the end Its 2022 edition Say no evil It was dark and brutal. The original movie ends with Dutch couple Bjørn (Morten Burien) and Louise (Sidsel Siem Koch) stripped naked, taken to a ditch and stoned to death. Their daughter, Agnes (Liva Forsberg) gets her tongue removed and is forced to take on the role of the murderous couple’s daughter. this Which means the cycle continued in the 2022 editionWhile Patrick (Fedja Van Huyt) and Karin (Karina Smulders) will continue their murderous plans without any repercussions.

D Say no evil The ending of the remake is more hopeful and resolved, I see Ben (McNairy) and Louise (Davis) run away with Agnes (Leffler) and Ant (Howe).. However, Ant hits Rice’s head with a brick, injuring the young boy and the American family. Although the ending has dark elements, it stops Paddy’s murderous cycle. Furthermore, this seems a natural conclusion considering how Americans typically respond to dangerous situations with a more reactive approach.

While there will be disagreement over whether the remake should have kept the original, risky ending, it’s understandable why it needed to be changed to reflect cultural differences. It also intrigues moviegoers to watch the original version and contrast the ending with the culture’s view of fusion. It at least earns some praise for Watkins for rethinking the ending Say no evil and the process which would seem most natural to his climatic laws.

Sources: THR, GamesRadar+, Entertainment Weekly