Smile – Film Review

4 out of 5 STARS

Starring: Sosie Bacon, Caitlin Stasey, Kyle Gallner

Smile follows all the rules of a good supernatural horror movie: jump scares, creepy characters and total immersion for the audience. With some of the most inventive jump scares and creepy smiles seen in horror, Smile certainly keeps you on edge throughout Rose’s (Sosie Bacon) journey. 

Smile follows Dr Rose Cotter (Sosie Bacon), a therapist who witnesses a bizarre experience with a patient (Caitlin Stasey) who commits suicide in front of her. Rose is confronted with the guilt of her past as the plague that consumed the last victim is passed on to her and a timer is set on her life. She embarks on a journey to defeat the supernatural terror threatening her life and protect herself from the same fate of previous victims.

Although Smile follows the common pass-on idea in the horror genre (The Ring, It Follows) it gives the audience a less satisfying ending. We watch Rose’s journey and root for her for the duration of 1hr 55mins only for her to reach the same consequence as her predecessors. The haunting smiles are undoubtedly creepy yet this idea also bares a likeness to other films of the genre (Truth or Dare, It) and the idea of the ‘creepy grin’ has been recycled a lot. While in some ways this film lacks originality, the acting and cinematography compensate for it.

Sosie Bacon delivers an impressive performance, leading the audience on Dr Rose Cotter’s trek from sanity to madness. The irony of the therapist losing her mind also adds interest to the plot and she is very believable in this role. Caitlin Stasey as Laura Weaver was also an excellent casting decision and she gives a convincing performance as Rose’s own fate through her character. Kyle Gallner plays Joel, Rose’s ex-boyfriend on the police force who helps try to rid Rose of the smiling suicidal fate that awaits her. The temporary shock of Joel falling victim in Rose’s imagination was a particularly surprising and unpleasant experience and this idea could have been followed through realistically, creating a less anticipated finale. Gallner was also successful in delivering an authentic performance and his transition from friend to foe in this scene was impressively realistic. 

The cinematography was also a monumental factor to this film. The use of unconventional camera angles and movements added to the supernatural element of the film and gave the viewer a feeling of uncertainty and discomfort. For example, the rotating shots and Dutch angles were a prominent feature of Smile and worked perfectly in causing distress to a viewer. The point-of-view shots also gave the viewer a feeling of anxiety by giving a sense that the characters were constantly being watched. 

Despite the horror movie clichés involved, it is definitely a film worth watching and will guarantee a thrilling experience for the viewer. All aspects considered, it was more than decent as a film in the horror genre and shouldn’t leave a viewer feeling disappointed. 

By Freya

BFI Film Academy