Thanks to the upcoming premiere of Speak No Evil, the internet has been consumed in debate. Allow me to be dramatic for a moment. In horror social communities, we recycled our great debate: Remakes vs Originals. Why did they remake this? Just read the subtitles! We don’t need to remake every movie with bigger names and bigger budgets! Are we just making slightly more palatable versions of foreign movies for American audiences?
There were so many posts and comments with the initial announcement of Speak No Evil that it was overwhelming. However, I take a fairly levelheaded approach. To each their own. I usually skip a remake if I have already seen the original. But so often, I jump back in because of curiosity. I need to know! Is it any good? Sometimes, it is, but we expect most will flop. Leave the original alone! We all know a handful of titles we can choose to square off with each other. For the purposes of this debate, let’s stick to English language remakes versus originals.
Ringu vs The Ring
Where You Can Watch: Shudder, Tubi, Kanopy, AMC+, Screambox/ Fubo, Hoopla, Paramount+, Pluto
Let’s begin with these two. Ringu (1998) is a Japanese supernatural horror film directed by Hideo Nakata that follows a reporter and her ex-husband seeking the truth behind a cursed tape. According to rumors, the viewer will die seven days after watching it. We all know it’s a hit and a classic. So, why make an English language version?
The Ring (2002) is what we got over here in America. Directed by Gore Verbinski, it stars Naomi Watts as a journalist investigating a cursed tape that kills the viewer a week to the day after watching it. See what I did there? I moved around some words and now it’s a whole different movie. But guess what? It’s good! Our reporter, Rachel, has a son who calls her by her first name. But I digress, he’s psychic and I love his sad vibe. With some key changes, and smart writing, and that intro? I screamed! Well played. Ultimately, my recommendation is that you watch both and have a great time.
REC vs Quarantine
Where You Can Watch: Prime Video/ Prime Video
[Rec]/ REC (2007) is a Spanish language found footage horror film from Spain and directed by Jaume Balagueró. A television reporter and her cameraman follow a crew of firemen on an overnight shift. After a quick tour of the station and introductions, they take their first call of the night. They rush to help an elderly woman at on old apartment building and once there, a frightening scene unfolds. Immediately, authorities lock and seal the building and chaos erupts. Overall, it’s raw and exciting, and it’s a favorite of mine.
Quarantine (2008) is the remake directed by John Erick Dowdle. It’s incredibly similar to the original plot and honestly, I enjoyed it. I had already seen REC and I like found footage horror. Which is better? If you watched either without knowing the existence of the other, you’re going to have a good time.
The Silent House vs Silent House
Where You Can Watch: Apple TV+/ Showtime
The Silent House/ La casa muda (2010) is a Spanish language film from Uruguay and directed by Gustavo Hernández. It follows a young woman and her father as they clean out an old home for a friend. After nightfall, she hears loud noises and mysterious forces trap her inside. In true found footage fashion, it is based on an uncorroborated story from the 1940s. Hernández had a micro budget of $6000 and one digital camera. Most importantly, thanks to smart editing, it’s one continuous, 86 minute shot. For these reasons, it’s worth a watch, although, I found the story to be just okay.
Silent House (2011) is the remake directed by Chris Kentis and Laura Lau. Elizabeth Olsen stars as a young woman returning for one last visit to her family’s recently-sold, lakeside retreat. She joins her father and uncle and their plan is to clear out the house and pack their belongings. Once alone, she hears loud noises and can’t find a way out of the house. Similar to the original, it is one continuous shot. It didn’t feel as tense as the original, it was less chaotic, but the story was more clear. My vote is that you should watch both because they were both great in their own way.
A Tale of Two Sisters vs The Uninvited
Where You Can Watch: AMC+/ Paramount+ (through Apple TV), Pluto
A Tale of Two Sisters/ Janghwa, Hongryeon (2003) is a South Korean psychological horror film directed by Kim Jee-woon. After her release from a mental health hospital, Su-mi reunites with her sister Su-yeon. Su-yeon seems to be the only one happy to have her back home. Her father is distant and cold while her step-mother obviously dislikes the pair. Matters are only made worse as haunting visions plague the sisters. This is a dark and beautiful movie. Please, just read the subtitles and enjoy it.
The Uninvited (2009) is the American remake directed by Charles Guard and Thomas Guard. It is what I like to call an un-imagining as opposed to a reimagining. They both have a similar plot of one sister returning home to the other and the evil step-mother waiting to take charge. While I do appreciate the key changes, for the sake of originality, the story itself falls flat. It lacks the tone and mystery of the original. However, on its own, it’s not bad. It’s enjoyable, albeit, an easy-to-follow psychological thriller. I think you might enjoy both if you’re in the right mood.
Let the Right One In vs Let Me In
Where You Can Watch: Prime Video, Fubo, Hoopla, Kanopy, Peacock, Plex, Tubi, Pluto, Vudu/ Pluto, Tubi
Let the Right One In/ Låt den rätte komma in (2008) is the original Swedish film adaptation of the novel by John Ajvide Lindqvist, who also wrote the screenplay. Directed by Tomas Alfredson, the film tells the story of Oskar, a lonely, bullied boy who finds love and revenge thanks to his new neighbor, Eli. It’s dark and gritty and I regret reading the book. I like this toned-down, less traumatic version because Eli’s life is as rough as you could imagine. However, we aren’t comparing movie adaptations to novels. Plus, who could forget that killer pool scene?
Let Me In (2010) is the English language remake directed by Matt Reeves. The plot is similar to the original, the cast is excellent, and it has some great, intense, frightening moments. However, it lacked the rawness of the original. The tone was less somber and the setting was more like a stage. Overall, it felt less than all the things I liked about the original. On its own, it’s solid. Ultimately, my recommendation would be to skip it and watch the original.
Somos lo que hay vs We Are What We Are
Where You Can Watch: AMC+/ AMC+, Plex, Pluto
We Are What We Are/ Somos lo que hay (2010) is a Spanish language, Mexican horror drama directed by Jorge Michel Grau. Following the passing of the family patriarch, the teenage children are left with the responsibility of putting meat on the table. I can understand wanting to skip this depressing and somewhat disturbing movie about a family of cannibals preying on the disenfranchised groups in their city. The family’s beliefs and reasoning for their ritualistic practices is vague, the characters are unlikable, and it’s a rough watch.
We Are What We Are (2013) is exactly what I mean when I refer to movies being remade as more palatable versions for American audiences. Directed by Jim Mickle, this story follows the Parkers who live in seclusion and follow strict, ancient customs. I like that it played the ol’ switcheroo with the matriarch and women as the heads of their ancient rituals. The plot provides family background and the characters are more fleshed out. It ignores the social commentary of the original and instead focuses on the dynamics of the family. On its own, it’s interesting, however, it lacked suspense and the overall tone was dull. Nevertheless, the two films are different enough that I can see why people would enjoy either separately or just skip them altogether. My recommendation is to watch the original because dark and cold is my bread and butter.
This is where I leave you all. I had to stop myself from going on to avoid sounding like a broken record. Ultimately, there is no end to this great debate. After all, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Speak No Evil (2022) infuriated me and yet I loved it. And guess what? I will be watching the remake come September 13th. Check out the trailer here:
