Following the release of the Speak No Evil 2024 remake, it’s worth exploring James Watkins’ other haunting horror films – perfect for those wanting to amplify their feelings of dread.
Speak No Evil has emerged as a surprising hit. Despite an over-saturated marketing campaign that irritated some potential viewers, critical reviews and audience responses suggest that the 2024 horror movie might have been underestimated.
For this remake of the 2022 Danish film, James Watkins takes the helm to narrate a story about false friendships and the constraints of human politeness. Known for his ability to evoke discomfort and fear, Watkins directed notable works such as The Descent Part 2, The Woman in Black, and one of the most unsettling Black Mirror episodes, ‘Shut Up and Dance.’
His 2008 horror film, Eden Lake, serves as an ideal follow-up to Speak No Evil. Featuring Kelly Reilly from Yellowstone alongside Michael Fassbender, it chronicles a couple whose weekend getaway turns into a nightmare.
Eden Lake is available to stream now
As of now, Eden Lake can be streamed on Prime Video, Tubi, and Roku. The film holds an impressive 81% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, slightly below Speak No Evil’s recent 85% score.
Be warned: if you venture into Eden Lake, prepare for a film that is as gut-wrenching and unsettling as Speak No Evil. Although it was released in 2008, horror enthusiasts continue to discuss its impact and how it provoked intense emotions.
One Reddit user remarked: “The utter feeling of hopelessness and despair this movie left me with was gut-wrenching. The ending nearly ripped my heart out and left me feeling so furious, such a grave injustice. I’ve never wanted to go to a rage room more than after watching this film.”
Another comment noted, “It’s funny, the ending of Speak No Evil made me angry, reminding me how few films have affected me so viscerally, which also made me think of Eden Lake, possibly the darkest of the bunch.”
“Eden Lake is MESSED UP,” wrote a third user. “I can safely say that we are nauseous, terrified, and utterly dejected. That movie was remarkable and extremely disturbing. I recommend it to all horror fans, especially those who enjoy early 2000s torture-porn films.”
Speak No Evil and Eden Lake share deeper connections
Both Speak No Evil and Eden Lake connect through their fundamental narrative – couples on vacation facing horror due to the actions of strangers. Moreover, James Watkins’ 2008 film served as a direct inspiration for the 2022 original Speak No Evil.
Watkins confirmed this link in September 2024, telling The Hollywood Reporter: “I love [2022’s Speak No Evil]. I admire the bleakness, which reminded me a little of Eden Lake. In fact, I spoke to Christian [Tafdrup] before making the [2024] film, and he affirmed that Eden Lake was one of his references. So there was a curious circularity there.”
Speak No Evil (2024) is currently in theaters, while the original Speak No Evil is available for streaming on Shudder.
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