Netflix Fans Are Calling This Thriller a Must-Watch: “It Had Me on the Edge of My Seat”

Netflix subscribers looking for a tense psychological thriller may want to add one older and rediscovered thriller to their watchlist. The 2024 movie has been getting plenty of praise from viewers, with many saying it keeps the suspense going from start to finish thanks to its unsettling story and James McAvoy’s performance.

The film is a remake of the 2022 Danish-Dutch movie of the same name. While the basic story remains the same, the new version introduces a different cast led by James McAvoy, Mackenzie Davis, Scoot McNairy, and Aisling Franciosi.

The story of ‘Speak no Evil’ follows American couple Ben and Louise Dalton, who meet a friendly British family while on vacation in Italy. After spending time together, they accept an invitation to visit the family’s countryside home in England for a relaxing weekend. What begins as a pleasant getaway slowly turns into something much darker as strange behavior begins to raise questions. Before long, the visitors realize their hosts have terrifying plans for them.

Much of the praise from audiences has focused on James McAvoy, who plays Paddy. According to reviews shared on IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes, many viewers believe his performance is the biggest reason to watch the film.

One IMDb user praised the movie’s slow build, writing, “The setup is masterful. Nothing big happens this entire act, yet I found myself smiling and intrigued. It’s a perfect example of how you can still create intrigue without needing action, or even worse, without having an opening scene that spoils what happens later in the movie.”

Another reviewer had similar praise for McAvoy, writing, “James McAvoy—what a powerhouse. Honestly, just put this guy in every horror movie from now on, especially if he’s the villain.” The same viewer also called it “easily one of the best horror films of the year.”

A different IMDb user gave the movie a 9 out of 10 score and explained why it worked so well. “This movie had my anxiety level through the roof—but that’s exactly what it was supposed to do, right? James McAvoy is so incredibly good at making the audience feel uneasy throughout the film, slowly at first and then keeps raising the bar every time he’s on screen.”

Another review highlighted the emotional impact of the ending. “James McAvoy’s acting was phenomenal. The way he portrayed the character with such depth made it feel like he wasn’t even acting.” The viewer continued, “The ending had me on edge, screaming at the screen. It’s been a while since a thriller or horror movie made me feel this way.”

One fan even gave the film a perfect score, calling it a “Heart racing thriller.” They wrote, “No they weren’t, not at all, this is a slow burn, tense, creepy film which builds to an explosive crescendo.”

Rotten Tomatoes users also shared positive reactions. One viewer simply wrote, “Loved this movie. Kept me on the edge of my seat the entire movie. I don’t review movies, that explains itself.”

The movie was filmed in several locations, including Grožnjan in Croatia and England’s Forest of Dean, which doubled as the British countryside home where much of the story takes place.

While critics have offered mixed opinions on Speak No Evil, audience reactions have been much stronger. Many viewers say the film succeeds because it slowly builds tension instead of relying on constant jump scares. Combined with McAvoy’s widely praised performance, the thriller has become one of the most talked-about suspense movies currently available on Netflix for fans looking for an unsettling watch.

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