The following contains spoilers for Speak No Evil, now playing in theatersSpeak No Evil's most tragic characters, a largely mute boy who initially appears to be shy and afraid of his parents. This fear becomes more palpable as the film progresses.

One of the most unsettling moments comes as Ant tries to write a message to Agnes in a language she can't understand. Initially a confusing moment, the scene gains new relevance in light of the note's actual translation. On top of making sense within 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 Evil's ending. Here's what Ant's note in Speak No Evil says, and why it's important.

Ant's Note 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 Danish, subtly fixing a possible plot-hole in the story and quietly referencing the original film that inspired the remake. In Speak No Evil, Ant 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 communicate a warning to Agnes about the true nature of his "parents." As reported by Heaven of Horror, the note was written in Danish, suggesting Ant is from Denmark.

This is ed by the watch of Ant's father, which Ant also shows Agnes during a game of hide-and-seek. Revealing the watch in Paddy's room, Agnes points to the inscription on the back. It's also in Danish, further suggesting that's where the family hailed from. It's a clever shout-out to the original version of Speak No Evil, which was a Danish-language film and released two years prior to the American remake. In a sense, Ant being a transplant from that nation gives the largely disconnected American remake a direct national tie to the film that inspired it.

What Ant's Note Really Said

Why Ant's Call For Help Isn't Initially Answered

Ant's note to Agnes in Speak No Evil is clearly a call for help, which is obvious even to audiences who can't 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.” This cry for help becomes even more tragic in retrospect. The eventual reveal that the bodies of Ant's real parents have been in a pond on the grounds make his plight all the more harrowing.

“Please help me escape. This place is not safe.” - Ant's Note from Speak No Evil (2024), translated from Danish

Ant genuinely does try to warn Agnes of the danger she's in, but the language barrier that a child can't overcome leaves her family increasingly imperiled by the dangers posed by Paddy and Ciara. However, his efforts are typically thwarted, until he's forced to take a great risk and steal Paddy's keys to show proof to Agnes that supersedes their differing languages. Ant's note highlights the challenge faced by the boy in the film, and highlights the truly nefarious nature of Paddy and Ciara's actions in the film.

Ant Being Danish Avoids Speak No Evil's Biggest Plot Hole

Ant's Note In Speak No Evil Underscores How Scary Paddy Really Is

One of the great tricks of Speak No Evil's Danish plot-twist is that it answers a major plot hole in the film. Although Ant can't tell the truth in any language because of Paddy cutting out his tongue, it wasn't initially clear why Ant couldn't just write out a warning to Agnes. The fact that he literally can't because of their language barrier keeps that potential plot hole from becoming an issue, and instead uses it to push the film's uneasy tone during a dramatic beat in the film. This also adds layers to Ant's inability to follow Paddy's instructions.

It initially comes across as Ant being cowed by his father's more brutish ways. In reality, it's Paddy trying to keep up their cover and then using a universal language like physical force to push Ant around. The true nature of Ant's note 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 clever beat that takes a potential hiccup in the narrative and tweaks it into one of Speak No Evil's best little moments of foreboding.

Source: Heaven of Horror