This post contains spoilers for "Smile."
"Smile," the biggest original horror movie of the year, just premiered on Paramount+ after its 45-day exclusive theatrical window. Anyone who happened to miss director Parker Finn's frightening directorial debut now has the chance to catch the curse in the comfort of their own home. That may not protect you from experiencing the same amount of torment that star Sosie Bacon endures as her haunted character Rose Cutter, a hospital psychologist who's forced to confront her own inner demons as she encounters a strange presence that causes people do die by suicide. There's a real sense of dread in "Smile," due mainly to the hopelessness Rose feels as the people she loves begin to abandon her in her darkest time of need. Gifted actor Kyle Gallner plays Rose's ex-boyfriend Joel, a detective who believes something is trying to kill her. By the time the ending rolls around,...
"Smile," the biggest original horror movie of the year, just premiered on Paramount+ after its 45-day exclusive theatrical window. Anyone who happened to miss director Parker Finn's frightening directorial debut now has the chance to catch the curse in the comfort of their own home. That may not protect you from experiencing the same amount of torment that star Sosie Bacon endures as her haunted character Rose Cutter, a hospital psychologist who's forced to confront her own inner demons as she encounters a strange presence that causes people do die by suicide. There's a real sense of dread in "Smile," due mainly to the hopelessness Rose feels as the people she loves begin to abandon her in her darkest time of need. Gifted actor Kyle Gallner plays Rose's ex-boyfriend Joel, a detective who believes something is trying to kill her. By the time the ending rolls around,...
- 11/17/2022
- by Drew Tinnin
- Slash Film
Warning: This article contains spoilers for the film "Smile."
Incredibly, "Smile" now boasts the best second week hold ever for a horror film, dropping only 22 to win the weekend. The runaway success of "Smile" is due largely in part to a high-concept premise that manages to stick the landing during its fiery finale. Even if the jump scares don't always deliver, some of the themes surrounding trauma are compelling enough to show that there is definitely something a little deeper happening behind that scary grin. That may be one of the reasons audiences keep heading back to theaters to see the first big genre movie of the Halloween season.
"Smile" was originally inspired by Parker Finn's award-winning short film, "Laura Hasn't Slept," and the backbone of the main story is sill intact. In the short, a young, petrified woman turns to her therapist to help her get past a frightening,...
Incredibly, "Smile" now boasts the best second week hold ever for a horror film, dropping only 22 to win the weekend. The runaway success of "Smile" is due largely in part to a high-concept premise that manages to stick the landing during its fiery finale. Even if the jump scares don't always deliver, some of the themes surrounding trauma are compelling enough to show that there is definitely something a little deeper happening behind that scary grin. That may be one of the reasons audiences keep heading back to theaters to see the first big genre movie of the Halloween season.
"Smile" was originally inspired by Parker Finn's award-winning short film, "Laura Hasn't Slept," and the backbone of the main story is sill intact. In the short, a young, petrified woman turns to her therapist to help her get past a frightening,...
- 10/12/2022
- by Drew Tinnin
- Slash Film
Major spoilers for "Smile" follow.
Horror movies often explore the fear and discomfort that arise from difficult subjects. Some, of course, do so more successfully than others. Unfortunately, writer-director Parker Finn's debut feature, "Smile," tries and fails to explore mental health issues with any nuance or sensitivity. The film concerns a string of mysterious suicides that might actually be caused by an evil entity that stalks its victims with a large smile on its face. However, because of an overreliance on jump scares and a lack of respect for people with mental illnesses, you may not be sporting the same expression when you leave the theater.
Most of the characters in "Smile" can be ranked based on how much empathy they show and how much ableism they exhibit. That said, the film doesn't show much empathy itself, and even goes so far as to use ableist language for comic relief.
Horror movies often explore the fear and discomfort that arise from difficult subjects. Some, of course, do so more successfully than others. Unfortunately, writer-director Parker Finn's debut feature, "Smile," tries and fails to explore mental health issues with any nuance or sensitivity. The film concerns a string of mysterious suicides that might actually be caused by an evil entity that stalks its victims with a large smile on its face. However, because of an overreliance on jump scares and a lack of respect for people with mental illnesses, you may not be sporting the same expression when you leave the theater.
Most of the characters in "Smile" can be ranked based on how much empathy they show and how much ableism they exhibit. That said, the film doesn't show much empathy itself, and even goes so far as to use ableist language for comic relief.
- 9/30/2022
- by Jessica Scott
- Slash Film
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