The concept of the cursed individual is an idea known all too well within the horror genre, its predecessors including The Ring and The Conjuring. With a clearly paved pathway it can only be assumed that Smile's flatlining performance is a result of the screenwriters struggle to put to paper what they imagined in their minds. An idea that could have in fact been executed in a less cliche manner actually had the potential to be scary. In a futile attempt at being the very definition of a psychological horror Smile was predictable and failed at being effective.
The general plot was a great foundation for any psychological horror. Smile follows Dr Rose Cotter (Sosie Bacon) a psychiatric therapist on a somewhat twisted journey. Rose purposely overworks herself, pushed by her need to care for others. After a long shift Dr Cotter sits with a troubled patient Laura Weaver (Caitlin Stasey) who recently witnessed the death of her lecturer. The patient revealing that since the incident a shapeshifting evil presence was following her. Describing it as having “the worst smile that I have ever seen in my life”. Convinced that these were hallucinations Dr Cottor was mortified when the patient mutilated herself by carving a smile line across her face.
To her surprise she starts to see the smiling figures disguised as people she knows. In an attempt to confined in her loved ones after she is met with disbelief. With a fiancé (Jessie T. Usher) who believes she’s inherited a mental illness and a traumatised sister (Gillian Zinser) who also doesn’t want to deal with the past she’s left with one option. An ex-boyfriend (Kyle Gallner) who will do anything for her, they set out to do their own research before death comes knocking.
Any movie like this relies on tension, the build up to the unfortunate fate of the main characters or the truth finally being revealed. Attempts to build tension weren’t successful in Smile. The movie began to seem reliant on poorly executed jump scares and laughable gore. The overbearing loud heart beats, shattering glass every time Rose was alone in the kitchen, the increasingly loud footsteps and sharp shot changes. Instead of sucking the audience in it came off as distracting. Members of the audience aren’t meant to laugh and disfigured broken faces and empty eye sockets. A child pulling out a dead cat from a birthday box hopefully was intended to be hilarious.
Furthermore, the movie felt more plagiarised than influenced by others. Almost seeming as if writers and directors such as Koji Suzuki and Jordan Peele were the blueprint rather than the inspiration. From the trail of the curses down to the scissors, Smile continuously stepped further and further away from originality.
In addition, other than Caitlin Stasey, Kal Penn and Robert Bacon the acting felt bland. It lacked emotion and seemed as though some where just replicating their already existing roles in other productions.
Lastly, on a lighter note praise is given for the approach towards tackling trauma. The encouragement given to facing the issues that so badly tear away at us. Without any spoilers Rose accepts that her dedication towards caring for others is fuelled by her own trauma and guilt. Sometimes you must face it head on and take back that control that was stolen from you.
Add comment
Comments