Bloody Disgusting’s Smile review is spoiler-free.
Reality begins to blur, then quickly unravels at the seams for the unlucky in Smile. One ghastly grin followed by a traumatic event causes those who witness it to succumb to its influence slowly. Smile takes the concept of the cursed object to a new level with a mental health-focused threat that bides its time, tormenting its victims through isolation and past traumas. While it wears its influences proudly and follows a familiar path, Smile offers compelling, affable leads and a few scary tricks up its sleeves to appease mainstream audiences.
Rose Cotter (Sosie Bacon) works 80 hours a week at her hospital’s emergency mental health ward. She’s a workaholic that uses her job as a means of avoiding, or perhaps even repressing, painful childhood memories. That changes when she attempts to speak with a brand new patient that tells of a relentless entity pursuing her, smiling as it confronts her with horrible visions. Then that patient shockingly commits suicide in front of Rose. Shortly after, Rose begins to suffer horrific visions from what she saw, and it slowly escalates. The more Rose realizes time is running short as something is closing in around her, the more others become convinced she’s unwell.
Sosie Bacon and Kyle Gallner star in Paramount Pictures Presents in Association with Paramount Players A Temple Hill Production “SMILE.”
Writer/Director Parker Finn picks up where he left off with his short film “Laura Hasn’t Slept” for his feature debut. The continuation passes the baton of mental health-related horror from the eponymous Laura (Caitlin Stasey) to Rose, who has her own history with mental health to wrangle. Framing Smile as more of a sequel rather than a longer adaptation is a smart choice to build upon the ideas introduced while centering the story on a different side of mental health.
Bacon makes for a capable lead. Her Rose is a convincing and put-together professional who comes undone in the most empathetic ways. Despite the supernatural chills, it’s a credit to Bacon that she makes us question Rose’s sanity almost as much as Rose does. Kyle Gallner also instills rooting interest in a smaller capacity as Joel, a detective invested in Rose’s case for multiple reasons, some personal. Their chemistry goes far in propelling the narrative.
Finn bides his time in doling out the scares, keeping the focus instead on Rose’s slow unraveling. That’s not to say there aren’t any; expect quite a few chilling moments that’ll induce goosebumps. But there’s a careful restraint to the scare crafting. Finn wants to make you invested in Rose’s plight, first and foremost, as her loved ones slowly turn their backs on her.
But Smile might be a little too restrained in the scare department. Savvy horror fans will likely also recognize some of the scare tactics and influences, which could dampen some of the impact. It makes it easier to guess where Rose’s story might be headed. The third act picks up the pace and packs in some potent horror imagery, making for a grand finale that’ll leave you wanting more.
Overall, Parker Finn presents some interesting ideas about trauma and its insidious, parasitic nature on our psyche, using horror in effective ways to convey it. Bacon deftly maintains our attention even in the lulls between unsettling scare moments. There’s a familiarity to the curse’s nature and formula, drawing easy comparisons to several beloved horror films. Even still, it’s well crafted and introduces a fresh feeling mythology, with some genuine scares along the way. Smile makes for a solid enough crowd pleaser heading into the Halloween season.
Smile releases in theaters on September 30.
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