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“He said, ‘Take a look at this movie; its pretty brutal.’
I watched it and thought I could have a really interesting conversation with Christians film.
There was something interesting in it I could explore and develop on my own terms.”
“I thought it was really fun and really fucking scary,” he says of Watkins adaptation.
(The Scottish star chose not to see the Danish original until the remake was completed.)
When we first encounter Louise (Davis) and Ben (McNairy), theyre a couple in crisis.
“Theyre really intelligent, they have been together for years and are clearly having great sex.
Who wouldnt aspire to be like them, especially if youre in a relationship thats just getting by?”
“He understands the nuance, the push and pull, the play, the game.
Paddy cant just be boorish; he has to be charming and fun and twinkly and mercurial.
James knew how to walk that line.”
That McAvoy had been working out and bulking up prior to being cast turned out to be fortuitous.
“I didnt do it for the role but it worked out perfectly, timing-wise.”
“I wanted him to wear shorts a lot and look like a farmer.
“Shes the one who brings a sort of softening and heart to their subterfuge.”
“Its like, ‘Jesus Christ’ youre in this situation.
Do you run, do you hide, or do you try and fight back?”
As much as Watkins admired the original, it wasnt an element he wanted to replicate.
“Our film is a lot less explicit,” he says.
“Its a psychological thriller with a horrific concept embedded in it, rather than a straight horror film.
Its easy to get scares or shocks out of horrific actions.
Since Ive become a parent I guess I am more mindful of not just having clockwork horror.”
(Lensing resumed in mid-November.)
This, though, seems to have been the only bump in the road for an otherwise charmed production.
“It came together incredibly quickly,” nods Watkins, who is now busy writing another script.
As for McAvoy, well, lets just say those shorts came in handy.
“It was gorgeous, a really nice shoot.
I cant complain at all…”
Speak No Evil is out in theaters on September 12.
Read ourSpeak No Evil reviewhere.
For more scares, check out our guide to the bestupcoming horror movies.
