To me, this reads as a very clever (and very timely) social commentary.
We watch the slippery slope unfold as Danes, Björn and Louise, repeatedly justify and accommodate aggressions and transgressions from their Dutch hosts, Patrick and Karin.
The hosts' toxic behaviours are recast as cultural differences, while their emotionally abusive parenting is framed as "doing things differently".
Louise lets her concerns about leaving her child with an unknown man go unexpressed, fearing her hesitation will be interpreted as racism or bigotry.
The Danes cede more and more ground to their hosts, vainly striving to keep the peace and avoid being seen as impolite. Louise has the better instincts, but is constantly tempered by her affable and accommodating husband.
By the time Björn recognises the threat, he's ill-equipped to protect what he loves the most. And when he asks the all-important question, "why me?", the answer is heartbreakingly simple yet bonechillingly obvious.
Speak No Evil asks its audience a similar question: do we have the capacity and strength of will to fight back when we come under attack, or will we play peacemaker in an attempt to mollify what threatens us?
We don't have to understand why such evil exists - we need only recognise that it does and be prepared to mount a challenge when we encounter it.
We watch the slippery slope unfold as Danes, Björn and Louise, repeatedly justify and accommodate aggressions and transgressions from their Dutch hosts, Patrick and Karin.
The hosts' toxic behaviours are recast as cultural differences, while their emotionally abusive parenting is framed as "doing things differently".
Louise lets her concerns about leaving her child with an unknown man go unexpressed, fearing her hesitation will be interpreted as racism or bigotry.
The Danes cede more and more ground to their hosts, vainly striving to keep the peace and avoid being seen as impolite. Louise has the better instincts, but is constantly tempered by her affable and accommodating husband.
By the time Björn recognises the threat, he's ill-equipped to protect what he loves the most. And when he asks the all-important question, "why me?", the answer is heartbreakingly simple yet bonechillingly obvious.
Speak No Evil asks its audience a similar question: do we have the capacity and strength of will to fight back when we come under attack, or will we play peacemaker in an attempt to mollify what threatens us?
We don't have to understand why such evil exists - we need only recognise that it does and be prepared to mount a challenge when we encounter it.