Speak No Evil  ★★★½ 

DANISH psychological horror/drama Speak No Evil is as nihilistic in attitude and story as they come.

You may not feel that for much of the running time, but the last 20 minutes provides gut punch after gut punch until the final uppercut leaves you down for the count and maybe even wishing you had never stepped into the ring with the Tafdrup brothers.

Christian directs and co-wrote with sibling Mads the story of a relationship between two families, one Danish and one Dutch, who meet while on holidays in Tuscany.

Danish couple Bjørn and Louise are struggling with their relationship and not particularly enjoying the holiday with their daughter Agnes.

But one day they meet Patrick and Karin who have a boy, Abel, around the same age as their daughter. The adults immediately hit it off and, despite Abel not being able to talk, the kids also seem happy.

In the weeks after the holiday, Bjorn in particular reverts back to being bored with everyday life until they get an invite from their holiday buddies to spend a weekend at their country home.

Louise isn’t as keen but eventually relents. Soon after their arrival small warning signs slowly mount and eventually culminate in outright confrontation that will change their lives forever.

A great and committed cast brings emotion and authenticity to the razor-sharp script and overwhelming sense of foreboding.

This is a gripping and under-rated gem of a viewing for fans of horror or dark drama.

Watched on Apple