MOVIE REVIEW | Parker Finns ‘Smile: A Unique Take On Psychological Horror
For a film weakened by mainstream and marketing strategy, Smiley has received little attention since then. It's disappointing because it's a fantasy story with an unsettling atmosphere and an incredibly well-crafted jumping scare.
Smiling, Parker Finn uses psychological horror in his directorial debut to tell a story about trauma and how it affects not only the person but those around them.
dr Saucy bacon in the movie. Rose Cotter, a therapist in a psychiatric ward, is visiting a patient when a creature smiles at her and tells her she is going to die. The patient finally comes in and kills himself in front of Cotter with a wicked smile on his face.
From this point on we see Kotter working with this element in nightmares and dream sequences. Although the creature feeds on the host after it dies by killing itself (so the patient kills himself in front of the fender), it is itself a sign of danger, particularly unresolved fear.
This aspect of the film is very well done as it shows how damaging it can be to try to forget someone else's trauma rather than process it. This shows that the disease can be transmitted not only to the victim, but also to others.
Although there are no deep messages, this premise is very cool. The gameplay is terrible, not to mention the unmotivated demons rampaging around. The theme of this film has no other purpose than to make the victim suffer as much as possible.
When you do this, you build a stronger picture of emotional distress and anxiety. There is no motive for harm. It makes life difficult for people for nothing.
Cinematographically, the film was well received. Smiley uses several close-ups that gradually enlarge the subject, giving the viewer a sense of isolation and suffocation. The camera serves as an effective storytelling tool here, as it doesn't just show the audience what's happening. Cinematography often serves as a reflection of the spirit of our heroes.
The same applies to the invoice. There are also moments where the music slowly builds up to suggest something, but then comes out of nowhere and gets really loud. It fits the style of the film very well, with many, often sudden, quick changes.
Of course, this movie wouldn't be the same without Susie Bacon's amazing lead role. Her reaction is realistic and depicts a woman slowly losing her hope and sanity.
One thing the film could improve on is the pacing. There is a significant stretch midway as our heroes discover how the demon is passed from person to person. Luckily, while it doesn't take long, it's more than worth it.
The best kind of horror is the kind that audiences can relate to. It's more than being scared of something on the big screen, it's being able to relate to the evil we see and the evil we know in our lives. The Smile tells horror stories with disturbing images that are groundless and sometimes predictable.
Overall, I would call Parker Finn's directorial debut a success. In one of 2022's silent films, he finds a way to turn a smile into a terrifying figure and meaningful symbol.
