Why James McAvoy's Toxic Role Made Me Want to Walk Out—Until the Shocking Ending!

Spoiler warning for Speak No Evil

James McAvoy delivers a chilling portrayal of a highly toxic character in the movie “Speak No Evil“, making it challenging to keep watching. The upcoming 2024 film is a remake of the 2022 Danish thriller with the same title, and while it largely follows the original storyline, it alters the ending significantly, altering the overall mood and message of the movie. In this flick, an American duo, Louise (Mackenzie Davis) and Ben (Scoot McNairy), along with their child, Agnes (Alix West Lefler), embark on a vacation in Italy, where they encounter a British family vacationing there as well.

In a friendly turn of events, Paddy (James McAvoy), along with his wife Ciara (Aisling Franciosi) and their silent son Ant (Dan Hough), grow particularly fond of the Dalton family. This affection leads to an invitation for a getaway at their secluded cabin a few weeks down the line, which the Daltons graciously accept. However, as the vacation unfolds, Ben and Louise overlook numerous warning signs as Paddy and his spouse subtly reveal a darker side beneath their amiable demeanor. Although the American adaptation of “Speak No Evil” doesn’t quite match the intensity or disturbing nature of its Danish counterpart, McAvoy delivers an exceptionally convincing performance, teetering on the edge of admirable and alarming.

Paddy Is One Of The Most Toxic Characters In Recent Movies

It’s Almost Hard To Finish The Movie With His Behavior

In a different phrasing, one might say: Paddy embodies some of the most detrimental aspects often associated with “toxic masculinity”. He seems to be deliberately emphasizing these traits to make both the Daltons and viewers feel uneasy. Upon our introduction to Dalton, he’s already belittling another couple, this time a Dutch duo who share a passion for culinary discussions. He openly ridicules them, though humor is used, it’s an unsettling scene. Matters escalate when we return to his residence, as demonstrated by his crude actions such as mimicking intimate acts with Ciara in front of guests.

He frequently tests Ben, criticizing him for what he perceives as weakness in masculinity. Paddy demands the Daltons let him ride Agnes on a Vespa. He scolds Louise until she starts eating meat again, ending her vegetarian streak. He’s physically and aggressive with Ant. These behaviors would be irritating individually, but collectively, Paddy would be an incredibly annoying, toxic character – if not for the fact that he’s also a serial killer, which makes his toxicity less bothersome because it’s overshadowed by his more significant flaw.

James McAvoy Hasn’t Often Played A Character Like Paddy

McAvoy Is Almost Never This Reprehensible

As a dedicated admirer, I must say that James McAvoy has taken on various characters in the chilling realm of horror films throughout his career, yet none quite like Paddy from the movie “Speak No Evil.” While he’s shown incredible power as Kevin Wendell Crumb in the Unbreakable trilogy, it was in Glass and Split that he truly amazed us with his physical prowess, bulking up significantly to convincingly embody a character who could overpower SWAT team members and bend iron bars – a level of strength that verged on the superhuman.

However, in “Speak No Evil,” McAvoy demonstrates a different kind of power – one that’s grounded in reality. He portrays a man whose strength isn’t supernatural, but you wouldn’t dare cross him if he accidentally spilled a drink on you at a bar. It’s a testament to his versatility as an actor and his ability to bring authenticity to every role he plays.

An element of Paddy’s intimidation stems from Ben being somewhat feeble, though ‘weak human’ might be more accurate, yet ‘weak man’ still applies. This vulnerability not only makes Paddy able to dominate him, but in a confrontation, Paddy could potentially overpower him, a troubling thought for men who value strength and size. Furthermore, McAvoy seldom portrays a character as vicious and malicious as this one. He has often played characters who are clever and enraged, or even disenchanted, but never someone who is purely abhorrent, and it’s challenging to witness him perform so convincingly.

Paddy’s Fate At The End Of See No Evil Is Very Satisfying

The American Version Is A Big Departure From The Original

In the climactic moments of “Speak No Evil,” I found myself utterly enthralled as the Daltons, who had taken a drastic turn from their Danish counterparts, bravely fought against Paddy and Ciara. They even successfully secured Ant’s safety in the process. Yet, their trials were far from over. With Paddy hot on their heels, he pursued the family to the rooftop. Armed and significantly stronger than the family combined, Paddy menacingly threatened to shoot Agnes. In a desperate bid for survival, Agnes seized the opportunity when she found the syringe of ketamine intended for her own use. With quick reflexes, she injected her captor with it, causing him to tumble from the roof and land, surprisingly still alive.

In this reimagined version of “Speak No Evil,” Ant confronts him with a brick, and in a climactic turn of events, the young boy exacts his brutal retribution on the ruthless murderer who took the lives of his parents and disfigured him. This bloody revenge brings a sense of justice to Paddy, a character who has been despicable since his first appearance. Some viewers might argue that this new ending enhances the story compared to the original, but I personally disagree. The only advantage it offers is providing a unique angle for the upcoming American remake, making it less of a direct replica and giving it a purpose beyond being a mere copycat.

In contrast to the original disturbing and somber film, this remake leans more towards a heroic, superhero-like ending where all characters except for the villains survive. The original Speak No Evil, though not flawless, showcased an impressive and daring stance by not excusing the parents for neglecting their child’s safety. This American adaptation, however, appears to transform the grim atmosphere of Speak No Evil into a tale of good versus evil, which seems out of place compared to its Danish counterpart that leaves a heavy, lingering impact on the viewer.

What James McAvoy Has Said About Paddy

McAvoy Thought The Ending Worked For This Film

James McAvoy thoroughly enjoyed his experience working on the film “Speaking No Evil” and found audience responses to it very satisfying. Additionally, he felt that wrapping up the story with a more optimistic note was fitting for this particular version of the movie. As quoted by The Hollywood Reporter, he expressed this sentiment.

To make the character Paddy, who holds offensive, outdated, and chauvinistic views, appealing yet problematic for the audience, the film needed to critically portray him. If the movie were to validate or condone Paddy by the end, it would also endorse his negative attitudes, which is not acceptable. As I hadn’t seen the original movie until after we finished ours, this perspective didn’t influence my thoughts about how the movie should have ended differently.

It’s intriguing to note that a character’s actions don’t always need an explanation, as many movies conclude with the villain prevailing without justifying their actions. Yet, in this case, McAvoy appeared thrilled by the intensity of audience dislike towards Paddy. He made this comment (as reported by SkyNews).

Each time I aimed to make them laugh, they were already chuckling. Whenever I intended to scare and shock them, they were initially frightened, but then they surprised me with unexpected events. What left me astounded was when people started tossing items at the screen during a moment when my character was being particularly abrasive – it was an incredible experience!

Crafting a character that elicits such a strong emotional response from viewers must be incredibly fulfilling, and it likely made working on the movie far more rewarding than any monetary compensation. Despite James McAvoy’s character in “Speak No Evil” being as malevolent as he is, he remains an extraordinary creation. While the Danish version of the story is exceptional, the American version offers a unique twist, which sets it apart from most remakes, and adds significantly more value to its adaptation.

2025-05-03 04:14

Why James McAvoy’s Toxic Role Made Me Want to Walk Out—Until the Shocking Ending!