Synopsis
Smile, directed by Parker Finn, introduces you to a world where a simple smile holds a sinister power.
The story revolves around Dr. Rose Cotter, who is a mental health professional with buried traumas, played by Susie Bacon, and when she encounters a new patient named Laura, portrayed by Caitlyn Stacy, the two are connected by a curse that is transferred through a smile.
As the plot unfolds, you witness the interplay between characters grappling with their own burdens and secrets, all connected by a curse that ties them together.
That’s how this thing works, someone smiles, they die, and now you’re next.
It’s like a chain letter from hell.
My Thoughts
The central premise of the film, the transfer of a curse through a smile, is a creepy concept in theory, and one that could have been utilized much more effectively as well I think.
One of the main issues I had with the movie lies in the excessive over-explanation of plot points, which hinders the ability for you to really engage with the story organically.
The tendency to spell out obvious details diminished the suspense and tension that could have been built throughout the film, and the directorial choice to rely heavily on inverted filming scenes, especially in the first half of the movie, becomes a distracting element that overshadows the storytelling.
While this technique could be impactful when used sparingly, its overuse in Smile detracts from the overall experience and disrupts the flow of the narrative.
They might as well have presented a PowerPoint presentation at the same time.
Smile showcases potential in its concept and performances but ultimately misses the mark and with a more focused approach to storytelling and a deeper exploration of the chilling curse theme, the film could have been a truly memorable entry in the psychological thriller genre.
The film held great promise with its premise, but I felt it was a missed opportunity overall, and while the concept is intriguing, the movie fell short with the central theme of the smile being underutilized.
It does offer moments of suspense however, and a few decent jump scares but it ultimately fails to capitalize on its concept.
Smile is a middle-of-the-road, could’ve-been-great-but-isn’t flick that leaves you thinking Well, that was fine, I guess?
I would rate this film a 57% on my horror movie nerd-o-meter.
Smile on IMDB] [Where to watch Smile]
And if you didn't know, A sequel for 'Smile' is set to be released in October, just in time for Halloween and since I have just watched Smile 2, you can read my review!