When I first saw the trailer for the 2024 film, I thought to myself, Haven’t I seen this before? The 2022 Danish version, currently streaming on Shudder, was a perfectly fine movie, and I couldn’t figure out why it needed a remake only two years later. This trailer seemed to play before nearly every theater showing I attended for months. By the end of August, I was so tired of it that I even considered skipping the film. The pre-release press and trailers made it seem like a carbon copy of the original, line for line, frame for frame. I couldn’t spot any difference. Eventually, curiosity got the better of me, and I bought a ticket for what I was almost certain was a movie I could watch for free on Shudder. To my surprise, there were real differences—and reasons to see both versions.
The original by Christian Tafdrup was dark and carried an important message about the dangers of being overly polite and accommodating. The performances by Morten Burian and Sidsel Siem Koch were fantastic—perfectly capturing a couple more concerned with avoiding offense than ensuring their own survival. In the final act of the 2022 film, the protagonists remain meek and mild, even as their daughter loses her tongue and they are driven to their deaths. Tafdrup had highlighted a significant societal flaw: sometimes, we need to be assertive—even rude—to protect ourselves.
The 2024 film follows the same blueprint for most of its runtime. So much so that I found myself struggling to spot the differences. While there are obvious changes in location and minor details, even the dialogue is often line for line the same.
So, what's new in 2024? Well, James McAvoy’s portrayal of Paddy was excellent—probably his best performance since Split. For whatever reason, when McAvoy plays an unhinged character hell-bent on murder, it feels authentic to me. The real shift comes in the final act, when the much-too-polite couple finally finds a sense of self-preservation at the last moment. I think this reflects how director James Watkins imagines an American couple would react in such a situation. While I appreciate the more action-packed ending, I’ve been an American my whole life and know plenty of people who wouldn’t be any braver than their doomed Danish counterparts.
That said, Act 3 of the 2024 film is a wild ride, adding nearly 30 minutes to the runtime. We get more details about the past misdeeds of the serial-killing hosts, which feels satisfying compared to the original, where minimal backstory was provided. The tension and the "will-they-or-won’t-they" moments at the end were gripping and had me on the edge of my seat. This final act is what gives the Blumhouse version the edge in a side-by-side comparison.
I really wanted to be an elitist and dislike this remake. Maybe it’s because the marketing was so in-your-face for months, or maybe it’s that insufferable part of us all that wants to say, “Yeah, but have you seen the original Danish version?” Despite that, I have to admit: the new version is definitely worth watching. It’s fun, it’s action-packed, and the cast delivers strong performances. The original might be more thought-provoking—what we’d call "elevated" these days—but don’t let the film snob in you stop you from enjoying a good time. Both movies are worth your attention, as each brings something unique to the table.