
The following contains spoilers for Speak No Evil, currently playing in theatersSpeak no evilAnt's comment actually has a couple of meanings, both in the film and outside of it. Based on the 2022 film of the same name, Speak no evil Focuses on a family who finds themselves on a holiday from hell when their hosts prove to be far more insidious than they initially appeared to be. Ant is one of Speak no evil's most tragic character, a largely mute boy who initially seems to be shy and afraid of his parents. The fear becomes more palpable as the film progresses.
One of the most disturbing moments comes as Ant tries to write a message to Agnes In a language she doesn't understand. Initially a confusing moment, the scene gains new relevance in light of the actual translation of the note. On top of making sense in the plot, this reveal is also a clever nod to the film that inspired it, and helps set up the increasingly dark tension that carries through to Speak no evilIt's the end. Here's what Ant's do Speak no evil says, and why it is important.
Related
Ant's comment in Speak No Evil is in Danish
Ant's family was apparently from Denmark
Ant's note to Agnes in Speak no evil is a warning written in DanishSubtly fixing a possible plot hole in the story and quietly referencing the original film that inspired the remake. in Speak no evilAnt is the "son" of Paddy and Ciara, a seemingly friendly couple who befriend the Dalton family while on holiday. During a reunion at Paddy and Ciara's rural home, Ant tries to convey a warning to Agnes about the true nature of his "parents." As reported by Heaven of horrorThe note was written in Danish, suggesting Ant is from Denmark.
This is supported by Ant's father's watchWhich Ant also shows Agnes during a game of hide-and-seek. Revealing the clock in Paddy's room, Agnes points to the inscription on the back. It's also in Danish, further suggesting that's where the family originated from. It's a clever shout-out to the original version of Speak no evilWhich was a Danish language film and released two years before the American remake. In a sense, Ant being a transplant from this nation gives the largely disconnected American remake a direct national tie to the film that inspired it.
What Ant's comment really said
Why Ant's call for help was not initially answered
Ant's note to Agnes in Speak no evil is clearly a call for helpWhich is obvious even to the audience who cannot decipher the writing or identify the language. When translated from Danish, the note roughly translates to "Please help me escape. This place is not safe." The cry for help becomes even more tragic. The eventual discovery that the bodies of Ant's real parents were in a pond on These grounds make his predicament all the more harrowing.
"Please help me escape. This place is not safe." - Ant's comment from Speak no evil (2024), translated from Danish
Ant does try to warn Agnes of the danger she is in, but the language barrier that a child cannot overcome leaves her family increasingly imperiled by the dangers of Paddy and Ciara. However, his efforts are typically thwarted, until he is forced to take a big risk and steal Paddy's keys to show proof to Agnes that Suffers very different languages. Ant's tone highlights the challenge faced by the boy in the filmand highlights the truly nefarious nature of Paddy and Ciara's actions in the film.
Related
Ant being Danish avoids speaking no evil's biggest plot hole
Ant's comment in Speak no evil Underscores how scary Paddy really is
One of the great tricks of Speak no evils Danish plot-three is that it Answers a major plot hole In this film. Although Ant cannot tell the truth in any language because Paddy cut out his tongue, at first it was not clear why Ant couldn't just write a warning to Agnes. The fact that he literally can't because of their language barrier keeps the potential plot hole from becoming an issue, and instead uses it to push the film's uneasy tone during a dramatic cliffhanger in the film. This also adds layers to Ant's inability to follow Paddy's instructions.
It initially comes across as Ant is cowed by his father's more brutal ways. In fact, it's Paddy trying to keep their cover and then using universal language as physical force to push Ant around. The truthful nature of Ant's tone adds to the overall impact of the film's biggest twists And turns, and actually explains more about Paddy in the process. It's a smart hit that takes a potential hiccup in the narrative and tweaks it into one of Speak no evils best few moments of foreboding.
Source: Heaven of horror
Speak No Evil (English: Speak No Evil) is a 2024 horror-thriller film from writer-director James Watkins. A remake of the 2022 movie Speak No Evil follows a family that goes to the country for a much-needed vacation - but the situation quickly deteriorates, and they arrive in a terrible nightmare.
- Director
-
James Watkins
- Release date
-
September 13, 2024
- Writers
-
James Watkins
- Figure
-
James McAvoy, Mackenzie Davis, Scoot McNairy, Alix West Lefler, Aisling Franciosi