Smile (2022)★★★★☆

I think how I feel about this movie might actually be a reversal from how I’ve felt about many other movies this month. That is to say, I remember NOT being impressed with this one the first time I watched it, and I have a new appreciation for it this time around.

First, I think the directing and cinematography are spot on. I love the weird close up shots that much of the story is told through. There’s some really interesting framing and camera angles here that for me put me much more into Rose’s mindset.

Second, the background score is impeccable. There are MANY scenes where there’s absolutely no additional background music. It’s chilling. And then when there IS music in the background, it’s subtle. You’re already feeling whatever the movie wants you to feel without the music trying to force it on you.

I’ll be honest, I think a lot of the supporting performances are better than Sosie Bacon’s performance as Rose. I thought Caitlin Stasey as Laura Weaver was fantastic, and honestly I always like Kyle Gallner. Meghan Brown Pratt as young Rose truly looked like a girl who could grow up to be Sosie Bacon. I do also want to be clear that I don’t think Sosie Bacon delivers a BAD performance here, just that I was more impressed with some of the others.

I do wish her fiancé weren’t kind of a jerk? Or rather…I wish the screenplay didn’t play up the “is this really happening or is this mental illness?” angle that too many scary movies use, especially while adding “it’s genetic, right?” to the mix. That took me out of things a bit.

But the overall concept and story here is interesting and relatively original. There are some scary moments and a good bit of built up tension. It’s a little long and a little slow, but I’m glad I gave this movie a second chance, because I definitely liked it this time around. And I’m much more excited about the sequel coming out in a couple months than I was before this rewatch.