By: Lana K. Wilson-Combs
I'll admit, the new horror movie
"Smile" took me by surprise and got me good a few times with its effective jump scares. After seeing it now, I will probably be leery when anyone smiles at me. When you see it, you'll understand why.
"Smile" is a clever thriller from first time director/screenwriter
Parker Finn. He adapted the movie from his 2020 short film
"Laura Hasn't Slept."
Like most horror fans, not knowing how everything will play out, is what makes these movies so fun. While "Smile" was more creepy than scary for me, it's still quite an eerie and suspenseful ride.
Sosie Bacon (TV's "Mare of Eastown"), who is the daughter of actors
Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick, turns in a chilling performance. She plays Rose Cotter, an overworked psych ward doctor in desperate need of a vacation.
Over the years, Rose has dealt with many patients with all kinds of mental issues. Yet, when she is asked to evaluate a new one named Laura Weaver (Caitlin Stasey, TV's "Bridge and Tunnel"), her life suddenly changes and becomes a living hell.
Rose tries to talk with Laura to find out what is causing her to be so frightened and withdrawn, but Laura goes crazy and winds up slitting her throat right in front of her.
Rose can't shake that tragic event. It haunts her. So much so, that it begins to affect her work. Her boss, Dr. Morgan Desai (Kal Penn, TV's "Belated") insists she take time off to clear her head.
When she is away from the job, Rose is tormented by nightmares and hallucinations. Rose can't shake that weird smile either that she saw on Laura's face before she killed herself.
The more she tries to explain to her Fiancé Trevor (a terrific Jessie T. Usher, TV's "The Boys" and "Tales of the Walking Dead") about what she's experiencing, the more concerned he becomes about her mental stability and begins to question their relationship.
Even her ex-boyfriend, Joel ("Roost") who is a police officer and investigating Laura's death, is initially skeptical of Rose's account of things.
Rose's sister and husband Greg (Nick Arapoglou (TV's "Queens") don't want anything to do with Rose now either since she gives their young son, a "surprise" gift at his birthday party. It traumatized the poor kid.
Rose remembers Laura, who was a graduate student, telling her that her professor killed himself in front of her. Now Rose believes that there is an evil spirit/presence stalking her that is manifesting itself and latching onto others with this sinister smile.
Is there something to this? Is Rose simply losing her mind?
She's not even sure she can trust her psychiatrist Dr. Madeline Northcutt (Robin Weigert, TV's "American Horror Stories") anymore.
A brief talk with a prisoner (the always reliable Rob Morgan, TV's "Stranger Things") may provide Rose with some useful information to help make sense of this horrific nightmare.
"Smile" is an ambitious and worthy entry into the horror film genre. It also proves that director/screenwriter Parker Finn was indeed ready for his close-up.
Editor's Note: Be sure to catch my N2Entertainment.net movie talk segment on the Kitty O'Neal Show Fridays now at 5:17 p.m. and 6:47 p.m. on radio station KFBK 93.1 FM and 1530 AM.
Look At This Trailer For
"SMILE"
Lana K. Wilson-Combs is a member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA), The American Film Institute (AFI), and a Nominating Committee Voting Member for the NAACP Image Awards.
