Jenn Arias ’23
Staff Writer
The 2022 suspense thriller “Smile” puts a new twist on classic horror movie tropes. From director Parker Finn, this film follows Dr. Rose Cotter, played by Sosie Bacon, a therapist who witnesses a horrifying accident involving a patient, Laura (Caitlin Stasey) who claims some evil entity is following her. Afterwards, Cotter begins experiencing the same symptoms and seeing the same figures that Laura described before she took her own life. But it wasn’t suicide. As these visions begin to make her unbalanced, her family is convinced that she is dangerous to herself and to others. Cotter enlists the help of her ex-boyfriend Officer Joel (Kyle Gallner) to track this curse down to the original source and stop it from spreading once and for all.
This film is the perfect marriage between 2002’s The Ring and 2014’s Oculus with a Ring-esque trail that must be followed to uncover the history behind the curse and the troubled family flashbacks that narrate Oculus.
The musical score is classic horror, leading you right into the hands of suspense. It takes an unexpected route; just when you think you know what’s going to happen, when you think you have figured the end out, it takes a violent twist, shattering nerves and expectations. Forget about trying to figure out the end and just enjoy the roller coaster thriller ride.
The graphic violence is not for the faint of heart as it depicts suicides and psychotic behavior. I would put a trigger warning on the several jump-scares as the music lulls you into a quiet moment and then turns quickly with a classic horror movie violin and image of terror. Each smile brings horror to the pit of your stomach with every upturned lip, and as the film advertises, “once you see it, it’s too late.”
Bring a blanket for the edge of your seat, it will not be otherwise occupied.
