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Drama thriller

Speak No Evil (2022): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Speak No Evil (2022) movie poster

Speak No Evil is a 2022 drama thriller directed by Christian Tafdrup, starring Morten Burian as Bjørn, Sidsel Siem Koch and Fedja van Huêt. It runs 1 hour 37 minutes and earned $377,060 worldwide on a $3.2 million budget. It earned 1 award nomination, including Best International Film at the Saturn Awards 2024. Critics gave it 84% on Rotten Tomatoes and 78 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.6/10.

IMDb rating
6.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes
84%
worldwide gross
$377.1K
award nomination
1
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Speak No Evil (2022) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 37m (97 min)
Genres
Drama , Thriller , Horror
Original language
English
Budget
$3.2M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Speak No Evil About?

The premise of Speak No Evil without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

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.

Speak No Evil Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • evil couple
  • vacation gone wrong
  • psychological horror
  • psychopath
  • unhappy ending
  • female full frontal nudity
  • breasts
  • male nudity
  • female frontal nudity
  • italy
  • family vacation
  • sex scene
+38 more
  • kidnapped child
  • bullying
  • good vs evil
  • evil wins
  • male full frontal nudity
  • male pubic hair
  • toxic masculinity
  • female topless nudity
  • female pubic hair
  • female star appears nude
  • female nudity
  • pubic hair
  • trimmed pubic hair
  • forced to strip
  • female rear nudity
  • trump supporter
  • dance routine
  • fake identity
  • stoned to death
  • mute child
  • tongue cut out
  • bully
  • pushover
  • passive aggressive
  • husband and wife serial killers
  • child captive
  • serial kidnapper
  • bad guys win
  • child torture
  • child kidnapping
  • pair of serial killers
  • serial killer couple
  • evil wins in the end
  • masculinity
  • family relationships
  • kidnapped girl
  • lying about your work
  • overbearing man
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Cast & crew

Speak No Evil Cast & Characters

Morten Burian leads the cast as Bjørn, with Sidsel Siem Koch as Louise and Fedja van Huêt as Patrick. Directed by Christian Tafdrup; 11 actors are credited in all.

Ratings

Speak No Evil Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Speak No Evil 84% on Rotten Tomatoes and 78 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.6/10. Our Echo Score gives it 74/100, strongest in sensory experience (86) and weakest in story & flow (62).

74 /100

Speak No Evil Echo Score Breakdown

Speak No Evil delivers a tightly crafted atmosphere through confident direction, unsettling visuals, and a persistent sense of dread. Critics and many viewers praise the film’s artful cinematography, nuanced score, and solid performances that keep the tension high. However, the narrative suffers from uneven pacing and characters that remain underdeveloped, leading some to find the plot predictable and the emotional payoff limited. The combination of strong sensory execution and mixed storytelling results in a film that intrigues while leaving the audience divided.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 82

    In terms of art and craft, the film shows confident direction and a meticulous visual style. Critics highlight the icy cinematography, strategic use of silence, and an unnerving orchestral score that shapes the mood. Production design reinforces the oppressive atmosphere through cold palettes and restrained set pieces. While a few reviewers note occasional tonal inconsistency, the overall execution remains polished and purposeful.

  • Character & Emotion 68

    When evaluating character and emotion, performances are a notable strength. The four leads deliver restrained yet compelling portrayals that amplify the film’s tension, and many critics commend the chemistry among the cast. Nonetheless, several viewers criticize the shallow development of the protagonists, describing them as underwritten and their motivations unclear. This disparity creates a mixed impression of the film’s emotional depth.

  • Story & Flow 62

    The narrative structure combines a slow‑burn buildup with occasional jolts of horror, but its pacing proves uneven. While the premise of polite discomfort escalating into menace is praised for originality, critics and users alike note abrupt plot turns and a final act that undercuts earlier tension. Predictable beats and unclear character motivations further dilute the story’s overall cohesion.

  • Sensory Experience 86

    Sensory experience is a central asset, with a subtle yet effective score that intensifies discomfort without overwhelming the scene. Sound design employs strategic silence and ambient noise to sustain tension, while the cold, desaturated color palette reinforces the oppressive mood. Visual composition is deliberately restrained, contributing to an unsettling atmosphere that persists throughout the film.

  • Rewatch Factor 71

    Rewatch potential is moderate; the film’s methodical tension and lingering visual motifs reward a second viewing for those attuned to subtle cues. However, the predictable plot developments and uneven character arcs may diminish repeat enjoyment for viewers seeking fresh surprises. Consequently, its lasting appeal leans toward audiences who appreciate atmospheric craft over narrative novelty.

Plot

Speak No Evil Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Speak No Evil from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

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.

Full summary

The whole story of Speak No Evil, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Speak No Evil Box Office & Budget

Speak No Evil grossed $377,060 worldwide on a $3.2 million budget, 12% of what it cost.

2022 box office

Worldwide gross

$377.1K

12% of its budget back

International
$377.1K
Budget
$3.2M
Awards

Speak No Evil Awards & Nominations

Speak No Evil earned 1 award nomination, including Best International Film at the Saturn Awards 2024.

1 nomination1 ceremony

Videos

Speak No Evil Trailers & Videos

4 videos: 1 trailer, 2 clips and 1 featurette.

Official Trailer
  • Clip "Slide" Clip
  • Clip "Turn Down the Music" Clip
  • Featurette Meet the Artist: Christian Tafdrup on "Speak No Evil"
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Speak No Evil?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What country do Bjørn and Louise initially travel to for their vacation?

Cars

Cars in Speak No Evil

3 cars on screen, including the 1998 Volvo 940 and the 2018 Škoda Fabia Combi.

  • 1998 Volvo 940 in Speak No Evil 1998 Volvo 940 Main role
  • 2018 Škoda Fabia Combi in Speak No Evil 2018 Škoda Fabia Combi Important role
  • Volkswagen Transporter T5 Typ 7H in Speak No Evil Volkswagen Transporter T5 Typ 7H Important role
Details

Speak No Evil Also Known As

23 alternative titles, including “Gæsterne” and “Benelux”.

Also known as
  • Gæsterne
  • Benelux
  • Goście
  • Heç kəsə danışma
  • Не говори никому
  • 스픽 노 이블
  • A látogatás
  • Ne dis rien
  • Nepřivolávej nic zlého
  • 非礼勿言
  • لا تتحدث بشر
  • Não Fale o Mal
+11 more
  • Ne govori ništa
  • Не говори зі злом
  • Не говори никоме
  • Nieko nesakyk
  • พักร้อนซ่อนตาย
  • לשון הרע
  • 胸騒ぎ
  • Neprivolávaj nič zlého
  • 說不出的邪惡
  • Мълчанието е злото
  • Să nu vorbeşti cu păcat

Seen Speak No Evil?

FAQ

Speak No Evil FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Speak No Evil, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Speak No Evil?

Speak No Evil runs 1 hour 37 minutes (97 minutes).

When was Speak No Evil released?

Speak No Evil was released on September 9, 2022.

Who directed Speak No Evil?

Speak No Evil was directed by Christian Tafdrup.

More films by Christian Tafdrup

Who is in the cast of Speak No Evil?

Speak No Evil stars Morten Burian as Bjørn, Sidsel Siem Koch as Louise and Fedja van Huêt as Patrick, among 11 credited actors.

How much did Speak No Evil make at the box office?

Speak No Evil grossed $377,060 worldwide on a budget of $3.2 million.

How is Speak No Evil rated?

Speak No Evil has 6.6/10 on IMDb, 84% on Rotten Tomatoes, 78 on Metacritic and 66% on TMDB.

Was Speak No Evil nominated for any awards?

Speak No Evil received 1 nomination across 1 ceremony.

Does Speak No Evil have a post-credit scene?

No. Speak No Evil has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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