“Smile” scored a 5 out of 5 hatchets from Dark Mythology author, Willy Martinez.
Smile is easily one of the scariest movies I have seen in a while – and as a horror writer, I don’t scare easily. Scary and creepy!
From the onset of the film, I was captivated to fully watch with all my attention, to find out where the ‘smile’ comes from, and how they would make that action, er, verb, into something scary.
Very well done and kept me completely enthralled – and yes, wrapped comfortably under my blanket.
“Smile” is a chilling horror film that pushes the boundaries of fear and psychological terror. It explores themes of paranoia, isolation, and the fragility of the human mind. With its expertly crafted suspense, intense performances, and mind-bending twists, this movie will leave audiences questioning their own perception of reality and the true nature of the smiles we encounter in our everyday lives. Brace yourself for a gripping and nightmarish journey that will leave you breathless.
If you enjoy the “Smile” Movie review visit our blog at The Ritual for related movie and book reviews.
Synopsis
Specifically, the vague something that dogs Dr. Rose Cotter (Sosie Bacon) throughout “Smile” likes the taste of people who have witnessed someone else dying by suicide—gruesome, painful, bloody suicide, by garden shears and oncoming trains and the shattered fragments of a ceramic vase in a hospital intake room. In this captivating scene, Rose has a chance encounter with Laura, a brilliant PhD student who finds herself in the psychiatric emergency ward where Rose is employed. With trembling fear, Laura believes she is being pursued by an unknown entity.
Laura vividly describes a mysterious entity that has been haunting her since she witnessed a shocking and tragic incident involving her professor. Disturbingly, she explains that this thing appears human-like in nature, yet it is undeniably not a person. The intensity of the situation is evident as Laura recounts the event just four days ago when her professor tragically took his own life with a hammer. At the end of the extended dialogue scene that opens the film, Laura turns to Rose with a psychotic grin on her face and proceeds to slit her own throat.
You can watch “Smile” on Amazon here.
This unsettling situation would affect anyone, but it has a particularly profound impact on Rose due to the tragic loss of her own mother to suicide many years ago. That lingering trauma, and the fears and stigma that surround it, form the film’s most intelligent thematic thread. In the film, Rose’s fiance Trevor (played by Jessie T. Usher) honestly shares that he has conducted online research on inherited mental illnesses. However, it is important to note that the film employs some unkind terms like “nutjobs,” “crazies,” and “head cases” when referring to individuals with mental health conditions.
The notion that Rose’s afflictions may stem from her own internal struggles, rather than being caused by the same malevolent force that took Laura’s life, seems to deeply trouble her. It appears that she is more unsettled by the idea of grappling with her own hallucinations, lost time, and emotional instability than the prospect of being cursed.
Rose’s circle, which includes Trevor, her therapist Dr. Northcott (played by Robin Weigert), her boss Dr. Desai (portrayed by Kal Penn), and her sister Holly (acted by Gillian Zinzer), are convinced that the issues she faces are rooted in neurochemical imbalances rather than anything supernatural. However, they soon realize their mistake, but unfortunately, it is already too late.
You can watch “Smile” on Amazon here.
The sole believer in Rose’s innocence happens to be her ex-boyfriend, Joel (played by Kyle Gallner), who is coincidentally working as a police officer assigned to Laura’s case. Their cautious reunion not only adds depth to the story but also unravels the intriguing mystery that drives much of the film’s engaging 115-minute runtime.
Prepare to be captivated by the gripping storyline of this supernatural horror-mystery film. It skillfully weaves together a series of thrilling events, starting with a simple Google search and escalating to an intense, in-person interview with a traumatized survivor who is currently imprisoned. Discover the true nature of this malevolent entity as the suspense builds throughout the movie. A mere mention is given to a series of related incidents in Brazil, enticing the possibility of a thrilling sequel.
The greatest strength of “Smile” lies in its unyielding and overwhelming sense of intensity. This film fearlessly portrays a world where the innocence of children and beloved pets is just as precarious as that of adults. The horror elements are depicted in a visceral and unsettling manner, perfectly aligning with the film’s bleak themes. Bacon’s powerful and raw portrayal of Rose in this film adds an undeniable intensity to the story. In a particularly gripping scene, she passionately exclaims, “I am not crazy!” only to immediately show vulnerability by mumbling an apology and averting her gaze in shame towards her shoes.
The clever use of contrasting emotions in Rose’s character brings viewers on a captivating journey, making her character more nuanced and genuine. This adds an extra touch of authenticity and depth to the overall narrative, leaving a lasting impact on the audience. In another scene, her pale smile at her nephew’s birthday party serves as a stark contrast to the sinister grin that the entity’s victims witness before their demise. Moreover, this relatable moment resonates with viewers who have experienced the struggle of attending similar social gatherings while battling through a depressive episode.
The Following movie review was written by a dark fiction author, Willy Martinez, to be released on the Ritual Blog for Mind on Fire Books.
Author of dark fiction Mythology, “The Sigua” and short visceral fiction, “Flora.”
Willy Martinez is also featured in our anthology Mad Men, available for sale now.
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