Review of Smile (2022) by Abawesome — 30 Sep 2022

I did not like it much at all. The Ring, It Follows, elements of Hereditary and The Witch, and a bunch of other films on top. Instead, go watch those. This film is just leftover junk from the 90s with a 2020s veneer.

It has nothing to say beyond insulting mental health, trauma, and recovery and has an incredibly cynical and nihilistic ending that is just a gross bummer. There are some sharp comedic moments that work, but mostly I found myself laughing AT the movie instead of with it.

It also continues the trend of "horror movie cutting to credits with a song from the 50s/60s that completely contrasts the tone of the film." However, unlike say Hereditary or the recent Barbarian, where those films earn the moment, Smile just throws it on because it wants to be thought of as all these other, far better films.

If you love loud scores, jump scares, and a bland plot that plays out until it's dumb end, check this out.