Hello Reddit! I’m writer and director James Watkins. My newest project, SPEAK NO EVIL (starring James McAvoy & Mackenzie Davis), is in theatres now! You may know my previous films such as EDEN LAKE, THE WOMAN IN BLACK, and the “Shut Up And Dance” episode of BLACK MIRROR. Ask Me Anything!
by JamesWatkinsDirector
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Bio: Writer-director James Watkins made his debut with the award-winning cult thriller ‘Eden Lake’ starring Michael Fassbender and Kelly Reilly. He next directed ‘The Woman in Black,’ a ghost story starring Daniel Radcliffe, the most successful British horror film since box office records began. His action thriller ‘The Take’, starring Idris Elba and Richard Madden, played in the number one spot on Netflix. In television he has directed the cult Black Mirror episode, ‘Shut Up And Dance’ and co-created and directed the International Emmy-winning crime drama ‘McMafia’, which gave a name to a new ‘McMafia law’ in the UK. James began his career as a screenwriter with a first-look writing deal with Working Title Films. He has also written scripts for Film4, Pathe, BBC Films and Warner Bros.
I’ll be back at 12:00 PM ET!
What is your favourite Jame McAvoy performance? Besides Speak No Evil of course.
When discussing what’s the most Black Mirror episode of Black Mirror, Shut Up and Dance wins every argument, just want to say this
How firm is Daniel Radcliffe’s handshake?
Did you have qualms about retooling the story for U.S. audiences? I saw and loved the original and am assuming your ending is different, less nihilistic. (I’m seeing your version today!)
I realize I’m treading in spoiler territory here…
Edit: Oh, and please thank whoever did the casting for letting me see two of my favorite actors from “Halt and Catch Fire” together again!
Was McAvoy getting ripped for the film his idea or yours?
Anywhere we can see any bts of the sets ups/lighting? Such an amazing job on making a remake that’s actual good! It’s always good for us fellow filmmakers to see how it’s done on the big gigs.
What’s the next project you’ll be working on? I mean if you could tell us about that.
Eden Lake was a rough watch. Jack O’Connell can be truly terrifying and convincing in his roles. What was it like working with those young kids given some of the horrific scenes in that film?
This question contains potential spoilers.
I enjoyed Speak No Evil but there were a couple of frustrating parts.
1. Why not drive past the gate before jumping out of the car?
2. Why not pick up the guns when they are right by your feet?
3. Who lets their daughter run off alone when there is a murderer walking around looking for you?
I understand that in certain situations people can make illogical decisions but it kept happening to the point where I stopped caring about the parents. Now that the final product is out are you happy with it or are there parts you would change?
What kind of qualities do you feel like someone needs to have in order to know that being a director/screenwriter is the right road for them? What has made you, in your youth, say I want to do this for a job?
As a crew member who has been out of work since May 2023 due to the strikes and industry cutbacks, do you think the film industry will ever recover?
Did you have a lot of f2f preparation prior to shoot with James McAvoy, and how much direction he wanted/required to get the performance to your liking? Also, did you have dealings with the original director of the Danish movie, or was this kept completely separate production?
Haven’t yet seen the film but am looking forward to it, I enjoyed the original although I had some issues with the ending, and I’ve heard there’s some changes in the ending in this one, so I’m curious to find out!
Loved the Cotton Eye show scene. Who wouldn’t lose it if they had to listen to that song over and over.
Why did you feel compelled to change the ending when adapting the screenplay?
How do you feel about the marketing of this movie, and the sentiment that it largely spoiled key plot developments? Do you think having a director’s cut of a trailer might be a good idea for some movies?
Hello! Horror-movie nerd here happy for the opportunity to ask a question. What motivated you to make a remake of this movie? Especially since the first one came out so recently.
The movie was great, I thought the changes made worked well. Just curious if the changes were made so it wasn’t just a carbon copy of the original or if a decision was made somewhere along the line that the original story was too bleak for American audiences ?
What’s the scariest movie you’ve ever seen?
I really liked Speak No Evil, and also the original movie, and am also a big fan of both James Mcavoy and Mackenzie Davis. I wanted to ask how was it working with the both of them on this movie, and was it hard to convince them to star in a remake movie?
The ending you wrote for the movie hit me just as hard as the original did. Were you scared to do such a drastic rewrite?
As the brains behind one of the most devastating film experiences possible, what are some of your favourite comedy flicks?
How do you get into the business with only your script? No money or social network. As a “tortured artist” without the ability to express your creativity, how does one take the first step? I mean… even Tommy Wiseau found an investor. How?
Not a question, but I’d like to tell you that I loved the film and some scenes made me so uncomfortable (which is a good thing!!) that I found myself looking away from the screen, and I don’t get scared easily. It also clarified some of the things I didn’t like about the original movie. So thank you, I really enjoyed it. We all know James McAvoy is a brilliant actor, and the rest of the cast (kids included) was wonderful too,
Also, I’ve only just realised that Eden Lake and The Woman in Black were yours as well, I loved them! And Shut Up and Dance is probably my favourite episode of Black Mirror. I guess you’ve got yourself a fan, I’m looking forwards to your future projects.
I remember reading that Eden Lake was partially inspired by a real-life incident you encountered while reading a book and wondered whether anything in Speak No Evil is inspired by your own experiences? Honestly, so much of the awkward social situations the characters find themselves in feel so true to life. Loved the movie and can’t wait to see what you do next!
Saw your movie at a drive-in last week, girlfriend and I really enjoyed it after enjoying the original
How did you decide which scenes from the original to keep, and which to abandon for an American audience. Similarly, how was the process of adjusting the tone while maintaining a similar beat structure for the story?
Hi James,
I enjoyed the film, and in particular I enjoyed this couple’s general common sense at attempting to make better decisions, and sadly still ended up in that circumstance…
My question is — **what notes and direction did you give to James McAvoy to inhabit the primary antagonist role — from your side of the camera?**
Cheers! 😁
Shut Up and Dance is among my favorite episodes of Black Mirror because of how it sets viewers up to reckon with the internal conflict of valuing justice against the questionable morality of how that justice is applied.
Personally, how do you feel about the group or individual pulling the strings? Do you imagine them to be this chaotic good vigilante collective or do you imagine them to be using the footage and information they gather for their own nefarious activities?
Favorite cultural folklore, myth, legend that you’d like to see made into cinema? (Bonus, who would be your ideal cast for said iconic figure?)
Is Mackenzie Davis as electric in real life as she is on screen?
What’s the one piece of writing advice you believe contributed to your success? A nonnegotiable if you will.
What steps do you recommend new horror filmmakers make to try making an income at it?
Thanks for doing this AMA and congratulations on the success of Speak No Evil!
I see a kind of theme of social conventions running through your work: from the reality show dynamics of My Little Eye, to the class conflict of Eden Lake, to the unspoken taboos of Shut Up and Dance, to the stifling social conventions of Speak No Evil.
What is it about these kinds of social conventions that you find so compelling as a writer/director, and what is it about horror/thrillers as a genre that makes it particularly well-suited for exploring this subject?
Additional question if you have time: What modern social conventions do you think could be ripe for exploration through the horror/thriller genres?
How was working with Daniel Radcliffe in Woman in Black? It was my first movie going experience and first movie outside of the HP series.
My whole family absolutely loved this film. We hardly go to the theater but we always go if Scoot McNairy is involved.
Thank you for reuniting Davis and McNairy for this project! I also loved the ending more than the original.
My question is dumb but imma ask it anyway. Did you like Halt and Catch Fire and cast those two, or a happy coincidence?
Hi!
To be truthful, I did not watch much of your filmography, but I did watch your black mirror episode last week, and it was a truly fantastic one!
I wanted to ask what inspires you when you direct and write. Where did you get the passion for the art, and how did your process changed through the years?
What was it like directing James McAvoy?
Good morning James,
What is your opinion on movie trailers “ruining movies?”
From seeing the trailers I feel as if I have sadly seen your film. A lot of the tension, conflict, and resolution has appeared to be shown in the trailers leading upto the release.
Whay do you think a solution will be?
Just saw Speak No Evil 1 week ago and it was a great movie! Particularly love the scene where James Mcavoy’s character feeds his goose to the vegan woman as if he’s testing how agreeable they are or how far theyre willing their limits to be pushed.
How did you figure out the best way to explore the dynamic between a hypermasculine (albeit toxic) character and a the husband who is seen as a pushover in a broken state after the wife’s betrayal?
Hey there James! Thank you for taking your time to converse with the film nerds!
In 2 years I’ve gone from someone with a pipe dream to now having real work, so I am at the start of my film and writing career and things are starting to heat up very quickly!
With that is a classic case of imposter syndrome and negative self talk…how the bloody hell do you manage it!?!
How do you get such amazing casting for your films? It seems like actors always hit their spots, all the leads in your films are unbelievable.
Hi, James! Two questions:
* What would you say was the best film of 2023?
* What advice would you give to an aspiring director?
Tension: is it more from the directing on the day or the editing?
Even though you were only in the first 2 seasons, how was your experience on Shameless?
It was my introduction to you and still holds up as some of your best work in my opinion.