The Real Horror Isn’t Just a Man—It’s the Poison of Toxic Masculinity

Spoilers

James WatkinsSpeak No Evil, a reimagining of Danish director Christian Tafdrup’s 2022 film, plunges a couple into a terrifying ordeal whilst visiting new friends. While Tafdrup’s original took aim at middle-class satire, Watkins’ version shifts the focus to the portrayal of characters. James McAvoy’s chilling performance as the villain, Paddy, for instance, is particularly impressive.

McAvoy, once known for his brooding, gentlemanly demeanor, now delivers a kind of terrifying physical violence in Speak No Evil that we’ve never seen from him before. His portrayal of Paddy is unnervingly perfect. But for me, the real horror isn’t in the brutality of the film’s later scenes—it’s in the quieter, subtler moments. In one scene early on, Mackenzie Davis’ character, Louise, casually mentions that she’s a vegetarian. Paddy’s reaction has stuck with me: instead of respecting her choice, he badgers her to try his meat, using an almost disarming politeness. He won’t take no for an answer, pretending it’s all in good spirit while ignoring her wishes entirely. It’s as though her voice doesn’t even register.

This scene immediately reminded me of The Vegetarian by Han Kang, the South Korean novelist who has just won the Nobel Prize in Literature. The novel tells the story of a woman who, after deciding to stop eating meat, is relentlessly attacked by those around her—her husband, parents, siblings. Her father even uses violence to force her to eat meat. A small, personal choice becomes a flashpoint for outrage. It’s disturbingly similar to Paddy’s insistence that Louise eat the meat he’s prepared.

And it’s not just fiction. We’ve all seen this in real life, too. Men who don’t yell or punch, but instead impose their will in subtle, insidious ways, making it clear that your "no" isn’t really an option. Maybe it’s your father, your uncle, your boss, or a coworker. This is the suffocating feeling Speak No Evil captures so well—this complete disregard for personal boundaries.

The most disturbing part of Speak No Evil isn’t the actions of any one man, though. It’s the toxic masculinity lurking beneath the surface, ingrained in the characters and the culture around them. It’s a virus that seeps into individuals, families and society, infecting everything it touches.

But what exactly is "toxic masculinity"? It’s hard to define in a sentence, but at its core, it’s the rigid conditioning boys undergo as they grow up: don’t cry, don’t show weakness; be tough, not gentle; solve problems with fists, not feelings. It’s this idea of manhood that glorifies violence, emotional repression, and control as a way to assert dominance.

Speak No Evil

Toxic masculinity isn’t just about individual men—it’s a collective mindset. It’s what society has long expected from men: to be hard, aggressive, and authoritative, often at the expense of emotional vulnerability. Misogyny and emotional suppression are tools men use to maintain this “tough” image. But it’s more than just suppressing emotions—it’s a fear of vulnerability itself. According to this way of thinking, showing any weakness means losing power and damaging one's self-worth. Men shaped by this mindset often exert control in their relationships, refusing to accept the independence of others, and resort to psychological or physical manipulation to stay in charge.

The character Paddy in Speak No Evil is the perfect embodiment of this toxic ideal. He’s the kind of man society has long told boys to aspire to be. In an interview with Empire, McAvoy revealed that he modeled Paddy after Andrew Tate, the notorious influencer who has become a modern poster boy for toxic masculinity. Tate, a former kickboxing champion turned internet entrepreneur, preaches a message of misogyny disguised as "empowerment for men." He’s been arrested multiple times, and his platform is a breeding ground for the very toxicity that Paddy represents in the film.

The movie drives its point home through the other characters as well. Paddy’s wife, Sheila, is a victim of this toxic dynamic, yet she’s also complicit in maintaining the warped structure of their relationship. Meanwhile, Mackenzie Davis’ Louise stands as the film’s voice of resistance. She fights against Paddy’s control, representing the growing awareness and rejection of toxic masculinity in today’s society.

Speak No Evil

So, is Speak No Evil just another thriller? Far from it. It’s practically a cautionary tale about the dangers of toxic masculinity. Through dramatic, tension-filled scenes, the film shows how this poisonous mindset harms individuals, spreads through families, and leads to devastating consequences. And while the characters may seem extreme, I urge viewers not to dismiss them as distant, exaggerated figures. In reality, this toxic masculinity is everywhere. Look around you, and maybe even reflect on yourself—are you spreading it too?

The real horror isn’t just a single evil man. It’s the culture of toxic masculinity that enables him.

Light Points

Spotlights help boost visibility — be the first!

Comments 5
Hot
New
comments

Share your thoughts!

Be the first to start the conversation.

11
5
0
1