SMILE - The Popcorn Junkies Movie Review (SPOILERS)

Smile is a 2022 American psychological horror film written and directed by Parker Finn (in his feature directorial debut), based on his 2020 short film Laura Hasn't Slept. The film stars Sosie Bacon as a therapist who, after witnessing the bizarre suicide of a patient, goes through increasingly disturbing and daunting experiences, leading her to believe what she is experiencing is supernatural. Jessie T. Usher, Kyle Gallner, Caitlin Stasey, Kal Penn, and Rob Morgan also star in the film.   A feature adaptation of Finn's short was announced in June 2020, and the cast was added in October 2021. Filming began that month, taking place in New Jersey. Originally set for a streaming release through Paramount+, the studio opted to release the film theatrically after strong positive test screenings. Smile had its world premiere at Fantastic Fest on September 22, 2022, and was released in the United States on September 30, 2022, by Paramount Pictures. The film received mostly positive reviews from critics, who highly praised the jumpscares, production values, sound design, and Bacon's performance, though some noted the film’s similarities to other horror media, such as It Follows and The Ring.