Smile – 2022

Introduction

Smile (2022) is an American supernatural psychological horror written and directed by Parker Finn. This chilling film explores themes of trauma, mental health, and the infectious nature of fear. The movie stars Sosie Bacon as Dr. Rose Cotter, a therapist who encounters an evil force after witnessing a patient’s traumatic death.

Plot Summary

After witnessing a bizarre and traumatic patient suicide, psychiatrist Dr. Rose Cotter starts experiencing terrifying occurrences beyond her understanding. A sinister presence haunts Rose, manifesting in the faces of those around her, each wearing a chilling, unnatural smile. As she delves deeper into the mystery, Rose uncovers a chain of disturbing deaths connected by the same haunting presence. Consumed by fear and battling for her sanity, Rose must confront her past trauma to break the curse and survive the terrifying entity.

Character Analysis

• Dr. Rose Cotter (Sosie Bacon): A dedicated therapist whose life spirals out of control after a traumatic encounter. Driven and compassionate, Rose begins to unravel as the supernatural force relentlessly torments her. Bacon delivers a harrowing performance, showcasing Rose’s descent into paranoia and terror.
• Joel (Kyle Gallner): Rose’s supportive fiancé, tries to ground her as reality distorts around her. Joel serves as an anchor for Rose, desperately attempting to help her understand what’s happening.
• Dr. Madeline Northcott (Robin Weigert): Rose’s dismissive supervisor, who doubts the supernatural element of Rose’s trauma. Dr. Northcott represents skepticism and the limitations of conventional explanations.

Cinematography and Direction

Parker Finn masterfully crafts a visually unsettling atmosphere. Distorted camera angles, jarring close-ups, and a pervasive sense of unease contribute to the film’s growing dread. The unnerving smiles, a recurring visual motif, are horrifying and deeply disturbing. Finn’s direction creates an inescapable sense of impending doom, leaving viewers constantly on edge.

Music and Soundtrack

Cristobal Tapia de Veer’s score amplifies the film’s terror significantly. Discordant sounds, dissonant melodies, and sudden bursts of noise intensify the suspenseful and frightening moments. The soundtrack effectively manipulates the audience’s emotions, heightening the sense of anxiety throughout the movie.

Cultural and Social Impact

“Smile” resonated with audiences, tapping into the primal fear of the unknown. The film’s viral marketing campaign, with actors sporting chilling smiles, also contributed to its widespread recognition. The movie generated discussions surrounding mental health, the enduring effects of trauma, and the power of our fears to consume us.

Critical Reception and Box Office Performance

Smile received largely positive reviews from critics. The film was praised for its effective jump scares, unsettling atmosphere, and strong performances, particularly from Sosie Bacon. Some critics found the storyline somewhat formulaic for the horror genre, but the execution was widely considered to be exceptional. The film also proved to be a massive box office hit. It was produced on an estimated budget of $17 million and grossed over $216 million worldwide, making it a major commercial success.

Interesting Facts

1. Inspiration: “Smile” was adapted from Parker Finn’s short film “Laura Hasn’t Slept” (2020). You can find it on YouTube.

2. Creepy Smile Marketing: Before the film’s release, Paramount Pictures employed a chilling and effective marketing campaign, hiring actors to sit at baseball games with disturbingly wide smiles. This created a viral buzz and heightened anticipation for the film.

3. Practical Effects and Makeup: To achieve the unnerving smiles, the film relied heavily on practical effects and makeup, minimizing the use of CGI for a more visceral impact.

4. Hidden Meanings: The color red is prominently featured throughout the film to symbolize danger, trauma, and the contagious nature of evil.

5. Reverse Shots: Finn uses many reversed shots to create a sense of disorientation and unease.

6. The Upside-down Smile: The upside-down smile image on the movie poster is a psychological reference to how trauma can upend one’s perception of reality.

7. Homage to Horror Classics: The film subtly pays homage to other iconic horror films like “The Ring” and “It Follows”.

8. Unexplained Phenomena: The film intentionally leaves much of the evil entity’s nature and origin unexplained, maximizing the impact of the unknown.

9. The Importance of Sound: The sound design of “Smile” is masterful in how it uses silence, subtle noises, and sudden loud bursts of sound to jolt the audience.

10. Mental Hospital Homage: The scenes in the mental hospital may trigger unsettling memories due to historical portrayals of mental institutions in cinema.

11. Jump Scare Masterclass: The film exemplifies the effective use of jump scares, building tension and then delivering well-timed shocks.

12. Smile as a Metaphor: The twisted smile can be interpreted as a metaphor for masked trauma, and how unresolved issues eventually surface in terrifying ways.

13. Ambiguous Ending: The film’s conclusion leaves lingering questions about the fate of the characters and the nature of the evil, encouraging viewers to ponder its meaning long after the credits roll.

14. Critical Acclaim: Critics praised Sosie Bacon’s performance as Rose, noting its complexity and vulnerability.

15. Potential for a Sequel: With the film’s critical and commercial success, talks of a sequel have been swirling.

• Release Date: September 30th, 2022 (Theatrical)
• Genre: Psychological Horror
• Cast:
  • Sosie Bacon as Dr. Rose Cotter
  • Jessie T. Usher as Trevor
  • Kyle Gallner as Joel
  • Robin Weigert as Dr. Madeline Northcott
  • Caitlin Stasey as Laura Weaver
  • Kal Penn as Dr. Morgan Desai
  • Rob Morgan as Robert Talley
• Crew
  • • Director: Parker Finn
    • Writer: Parker Finn
    • Producers: Marty Bowen, Wyck Godfrey, Isaac Klausner, Robert Salerno
    • Composer: Cristobal Tapia de Veer

• Public Rating:
  • IMDb: 6.8/10 
  • Rotten Tomatoes: 79% (Critics); 82% (Audience)
• Awards and Nominations: While “Smile” didn’t receive major industry awards, its success and impact within the horror genre are undeniable.

Notable Quotes

• “Once it gets inside of you, there’s nothing left. ” – Laura Weaver
• “It gets in your head, and it makes you feel crazy.” – Dr. Rose Cotter
• “The only way out of this… is through it.” – Robert Talley

Goofs

Even with careful filmmaking, some minor mistakes make it into the final cut. Fans have noted a few continuity errors and inconsistencies, though these do little to diminish the overall impact of the story.

Conclusion

“Smile” is an exceptionally well-crafted psychological horror film that effectively delivers chills and thrills. Parker Finn’s impressive directorial debut demonstrates a firm grasp of the horror genre, using classic techniques while adding a fresh and disturbing twist. Sosie Bacon’s powerful performance anchors the film as she navigates a terrifying descent into madness. While the film might resonate most strongly with horror fans, its exploration of mental health struggles and the power of trauma make it a compelling and thought-provoking watch for a broader audience.

“Smile” is perfect for fans of psychological horror, jump scares, and stories exploring the mind’s dark corners. If you enjoyed films like “The Babadook” or “Hereditary,” you’re likely to appreciate the unsettling and thought-provoking nature of “Smile.”