Horror thrives on the things we cannot see—on the dread that lurks just out of sight, in the corners of our minds and the shadows of our past. Smile (2022), directed by Parker Finn, is a film that exploits this fear with chilling precision. Drawing on the unsettling power of a simple, uncanny smile, the movie weaves a tale of psychological horror, trauma, and the infectious nature of evil. Starring Sosie Bacon as Dr. Rose Cotter, Smile is a supernatural thriller that lingers long after the credits roll, leaving viewers questioning what is real and what is imagined.

In this review, we’ll explore the film’s detailed plot, its complex characters, the themes that make it resonate, its box office success, similar films, reasons why you should watch, a conclusion, and answers to frequently asked questions.

Detailed Plot Summary

A Shocking Introduction

The film opens in a psychiatric ward in Newark, New Jersey, where therapist Dr. Rose Cotter (Sosie Bacon) meets with Laura Weaver, a deeply traumatized PhD student. Laura claims she is being stalked by an invisible, malevolent entity that appears as people with grotesque, unnatural smiles. She is terrified, convinced that she will die soon, just as she witnessed her professor’s gruesome suicide days earlier.

During their session, Laura’s terror escalates. She suddenly calms, turns to Rose with a ghastly, inhuman smile, and—before Rose can react—slits her own throat with a shard of a broken vase. The horrific act leaves Rose shaken to her core.

The Haunting Begins

Rose’s life quickly unravels. She is haunted by visions of Laura and other people with the same disturbing smile. Her supervisor, Dr. Morgan Desai, concerned for her mental health, orders her to take a week off work. Rose’s fiancé, Trevor, and her sister, Holly, try to support her, but her increasingly erratic behavior and terrifying hallucinations drive a wedge between them.

Rose’s sense of reality begins to fracture. She sees her patient Carl grinning at her and threatening her life, but when nurses restrain him, she realizes Carl has been asleep the entire time. She receives disturbing phone calls, her home security alarm is triggered, and she finds her beloved cat, Mustache, dead—its body horrifyingly discovered by her nephew at his birthday party, a moment that further alienates Rose from her family.

Searching for Answers

Desperate to understand what is happening, Rose investigates Laura’s claims. She learns that Laura’s professor, Gabriel Munoz, also died by suicide, smiling eerily before his death. Rose’s ex-boyfriend, Joel, a police detective, helps her dig into the past. Together, they uncover a chilling pattern: a chain of suicides, each witnessed by someone who then becomes the next victim, all marked by the same sinister smile.

Rose tracks down the only known survivor of the curse, who escaped by killing someone in front of a witness, thus passing the entity to another person. The survivor, terrified, refuses to see Rose once he realizes she is now cursed.

The Spiral Downward

Rose’s hallucinations intensify. She becomes convinced that the entity feeds on trauma and guilt, exploiting her unresolved childhood pain—her mother’s suicide, which Rose witnessed as a child and for which she still blames herself.

Her relationships crumble. Trevor believes Rose is losing her mind, and Holly distances herself after the birthday incident. Even her therapist, Dr. Madeline Northcott, is unable to help, as Rose’s experiences become more violent and surreal.

The Final Confrontation

Realizing the only way to break the curse is to confront her trauma, Rose isolates herself in her abandoned childhood home. There, she faces the entity, which takes the form of her dead mother and other grinning figures. In a harrowing sequence, Rose is forced to relive her mother’s death and her own guilt.

Rose tries to destroy the entity by burning down the house, but in a devastating twist, it is revealed that she never escaped the curse. The film ends with Joel arriving at the house, only to witness Rose, now possessed and smiling grotesquely, set herself on fire, passing the curse on to him.

Character Analysis

Dr. Rose Cotter (Sosie Bacon)

Rose is a complex, deeply human protagonist. As a therapist, she is trained to help others confront trauma, but she is haunted by her own unresolved pain. Her journey is one of increasing isolation, as the curse exploits her vulnerability and guilt. Sosie Bacon delivers a nuanced performance, capturing Rose’s descent from rational caregiver to desperate, terrified victim.

Laura Weaver (Caitlin Stasey)

Laura’s brief but pivotal role sets the tone for the film. Her terror is palpable, and her suicide is the catalyst for the chain of horror that follows. Laura embodies the film’s themes of trauma, helplessness, and the inescapable nature of the curse.

Joel (Kyle Gallner)

Joel is Rose’s ex-boyfriend and a detective who becomes her reluctant ally. His concern for Rose is genuine, and his investigative skills help uncover the origins of the curse. Joel’s fate at the film’s end is tragic, as he becomes the next link in the chain.

Trevor (Jessie T. Usher)

Trevor is Rose’s fiancé, supportive at first but quickly overwhelmed by Rose’s unraveling. His inability to understand or believe her experience highlights the film’s themes of isolation and disbelief.

Holly (Gillian Zinser)

Rose’s sister, Holly, is practical and skeptical. Her strained relationship with Rose is rooted in their shared childhood trauma, and her reaction to the birthday party incident further isolates Rose.

Dr. Morgan Desai and Dr. Madeline Northcott

Both therapists represent the rational, clinical approach to trauma, but are ultimately powerless against the supernatural force targeting Rose.

Themes

The Infectious Nature of Trauma

At its core, Smile is about the way trauma spreads—how witnessing pain can leave scars that never fully heal, and how guilt and unresolved grief can consume a person. The curse in the film is a metaphor for trauma’s contagiousness, passed from victim to witness in an unbroken chain.

Guilt and Self-Blame

Rose’s journey is driven by her guilt over her mother’s suicide. The entity exploits this, using her deepest fears and regrets to torment her. The film explores how self-blame can be more destructive than any external threat.

The Failure of Rationality

As a therapist, Rose believes in logic and treatment, but she is powerless against the supernatural. The film suggests that some horrors cannot be explained or cured by science alone, and that the mind can be both a sanctuary and a prison.

Isolation and Disbelief

Rose’s experiences alienate her from those closest to her. Her fiancé, sister, and colleagues all believe she is losing her mind, leaving her alone to face the entity. This isolation is a common theme in horror, but here it is tied directly to the stigma of mental illness and the difficulty of seeking help.

The Uncanny Smile

The smile itself is a symbol of false comfort—a mask that hides terror. The film uses the image of the smile to unsettle viewers, turning a universal sign of happiness into a harbinger of doom.

Box Office Collection and Reception

Smile was a box office success, especially notable for an original horror film. Released in late 2022, it grossed over $200 million worldwide against a modest budget, becoming one of the year’s most profitable horror releases. Critics praised its unsettling atmosphere, Sosie Bacon’s performance, and its effective use of psychological horror. Audiences responded to its blend of supernatural scares and emotional depth, making it a standout in the genre.

Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Smile, you might also like:

• It Follows: Another film about an inescapable, supernatural curse passed from person to person.

• The Ring: A cursed videotape brings death to anyone who watches it, unless the curse is passed on.

• Hereditary: A family is haunted by trauma and a supernatural presence.

• The Babadook: A mother and son are tormented by a sinister entity that feeds on grief.

• Sinister: A true-crime writer discovers a supernatural force linked to a series of family murders.

• The Grudge: A curse spreads through those who encounter a haunted house.

• Candyman: A supernatural legend is passed through urban myths and beliefs.

Why You Should Watch Smile

• Unsettling Atmosphere: The film’s use of everyday smiles as instruments of horror is both innovative and deeply disturbing.

• Emotional Depth: Beyond the scares, the film explores real issues of trauma, guilt, and the struggle to heal.

• Strong Performances: Sosie Bacon delivers a standout performance, grounding the supernatural horror in genuine emotion.

• Effective Horror: The film balances jump scares with psychological dread, keeping viewers on edge throughout.

• Thought-Provoking Themes: Smile invites viewers to consider how trauma is processed, shared, and sometimes weaponized.

Conclusion

Smile is a rare horror film that combines supernatural terror with psychological insight. It’s a story about the scars we carry, the secrets we keep, and the darkness that can consume us if left unchecked. Director Parker Finn crafts a chilling, suspenseful narrative that is as much about surviving our own minds as it is about escaping a curse.

With its memorable imagery, strong performances, and resonant themes, Smile stands out as one of the most compelling horror films of recent years. It’s a film that will haunt you—not just with its scares, but with its questions about pain, healing, and the faces we show the world.

FAQs

Is Smile based on a true story?

No, the film is a work of fiction, inspired by Parker Finn’s short film Laura Hasn’t Slept.

Is Smile very violent or disturbing?

Yes, the film contains graphic scenes of suicide, self-harm, and psychological horror, making it best suited for mature audiences.

What is the curse in Smile?

The curse is a supernatural entity that targets people who witness traumatic suicides, passing from victim to witness in a deadly chain.

Does Smile have a happy ending?

The film ends on a bleak note, with the curse continuing to spread, emphasizing the inescapable nature of trauma.

What makes Smile different from other horror movies?

Its focus on trauma, guilt, and the psychological effects of supernatural horror sets it apart, as does its use of the smile as a symbol of dread.

Who stars in Smile?

Sosie Bacon stars as Dr. Rose Cotter, with supporting roles by Kyle Gallner, Jessie T. Usher, and Caitlin Stasey.

Is there a sequel planned?

As of now, there is no official sequel, but the film’s success has sparked speculation about future installments.