Directed by:
Parker FinnScreenplay:
Parker FinnCinematography:
Charlie SarroffComposer:
Cristobal Tapia de VeerCast:
Sosie Bacon, Kyle Gallner, Jessie T. Usher, Rob Morgan, Kal Penn, Caitlin Stasey, Judy Reyes, Robin Weigert, Gillian Zinser, Nick Arapoglou, Setty Brosevelt (more)VOD (1)
Plots(1)
After witnessing a bizarre, traumatic incident involving a patient, Dr. Rose Cotter (Sosie Bacon) starts experiencing frightening occurrences that she can't explain. As an overwhelming terror begins taking over her life, Rose must confront her troubling past in order to survive and escape her horrifying new reality. (Finnkino)
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Reviews (8)
In screenwriting terms, Smile is a lesser variation on It Follows, but only where innovativeness is concerned. Psychologically, it is carefully constructed, almost in the manner of a procedural, without a single weakness. It is also excellently filmed and very intense in its suspense and scares, with brilliant sound design. And the newcomer Sosie Bacon is great in the lead role. Director Parker Finn surprises us again.
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Now, if I wanted to laugh at Smile, I'd find reasons to do so, because the criticisms you read about the generic script are true (for example, it borrows not only the premise, but entire scenes from It Follows), and the scene where the main character goes around to her relatives, friends and acquaintances and tries to convince them that she's cursed is written in a funny way. But I decided to be sympathetic to the film, and that's because at a time when a large number of genre films forget the most important thing, i.e. trying to scare the viewer, Smile tries damn hard. It doesn't always work out, but I though about the horror films that have been released in Czech cinemas so far this year, and Smile is by far the most effective in this respect. If the script was polished in terms of the behaviour of the characters and the depth of the topics discussed, it would be satisfying even with undiminished expectations; the craftsmanship is more than solid. But I’ll look the other way and I’ll give it a seven.
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Those horror smiles were very scary. Brrr. Good stuff this was. The premise is original, the jump-scares are good (one is absolutely sumptuous), I trusted the little-known Sosie Bacon with every stressed-out twitch of her face, and what I'd particularly highlight was the soundtrack, both the perfectly pitched nervous music and the sound design, which flawlessly supports the anxious atmosphere. And I liked the cinematography, which was interestingly rolling around, or shooting the image upside down. Simply, to conclude, this might not be the horror event of the year, but it is a fine one-off with pizzazz.
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I don't know how long it's been since we've gotten this type of "jump-scare" horror not only in the cinema, but on other platforms, so I can't help but cheer with excitement that Smile has done well. The central idea is just right for a horror film, the acting and writing are enjoyable and, as I mentioned, the biggest draws are the ubiquitous jump-scares, the clever play with the camera, the music and the viewer expectations and, most importantly, the quality visuals. The trailer already gave me goosebumps with its audiovisual style and the film itself is no different. Overall it's simply a very good horror film that isn't stupid, scares, entertains and, most importantly, engages. Brilliant.
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The next time I want a similar viewing experience, I'll give the the money for the cinema ticket to the nearest homeless guy to go to my house for two hours and give me a "boo" every two minutes. I'll save myself a trip to the cinema, do a good deed, and with his alcohol breath, I'll even get it straight as 4DX. Technically it's nicely shot, the effects are solid, it doesn't offend in any way, and despite its lack of originality it hides a solid horror theme, but what's the point if the filmmakers trade horror atmosphere for constant cheap jump scares? Even the transitions between scenes are cut quickly and with a strong sound effect to make it worthwhile. This is a really bad viewing experience for me, I didn’t enjoy it. Those two hours were excruciating.
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