Smile (2022) [Paramount Scares Vol. 1 4K UHD Review]

Smile, directed by Parker Finn, is a psychological horror film that taps into a primal fear—a smile that feels wrong, that hides something sinister. With Smile being part of the Paramount Scares Vol. 1 collection, the film is now available in 4K UHD for the first time, providing an enhanced viewing experience that makes its eerie visuals and unsettling soundscape even more chilling. This is a horror movie that keeps viewers on edge from start to finish, using psychological tension to craft an experience that sticks with you long after the credits roll.

A Smiling Curse That Haunts Its Victims

The plot of Smile revolves around Dr. Rose Cotter (Sosie Bacon), a psychiatrist who witnesses a patient’s violent and mysterious suicide at her clinic. Before she dies, the patient exhibits an unnervingly wide smile and claims that she is being followed by something terrifying. After this traumatic event, Rose begins to experience similar phenomena—people around her start smiling in the same unnerving manner, and she sees inexplicable visions that haunt her day and night. The terrifying smile seems to be linked to a supernatural entity that latches onto its victims, passing itself on through trauma, and leaving Rose struggling to understand how to break the cycle before it’s too late.

The story is not just about the supernatural but also a deep dive into trauma, guilt, and how unresolved emotional wounds can haunt us. The film cleverly blurs the line between Rose’s unraveling mental state and the very real supernatural threat she faces, keeping both her and the audience in a constant state of tension. As Rose’s paranoia grows, she becomes increasingly isolated, unable to trust anyone, even those closest to her, making her journey both terrifying and tragically personal.

Smile features a number of shocking and expertly executed jump scares, but what really makes it stand out is the lingering sense of dread that it cultivates through its atmosphere. Director Parker Finn uses a combination of slow-burn storytelling, disorienting visuals, and a haunting score to craft a film that builds towards a climax filled with existential horror. The ultimate revelation—that the curse cannot be easily escaped and that the trauma continues—is a powerful statement on the cyclical nature of pain and fear.

A Stellar Cast Elevates the Terror

• Sosie Bacon as Dr. Rose Cotter: Bacon delivers an incredible performance that anchors the film. Her portrayal of Rose’s unraveling psyche is nuanced and believable, making the audience empathize with her growing fear and desperation. As Rose tries to make sense of the inexplicable events happening around her, Bacon captures her vulnerability and determination, turning Rose into a compelling protagonist.
• Kyle Gallner as Joel: Gallner plays Joel, a police officer and Rose’s ex-boyfriend, who becomes one of her only allies. Joel is a character grounded in realism, providing Rose with the support she desperately needs. Gallner’s performance brings a sense of stability amidst the chaos, creating a much-needed contrast to Rose’s spiraling fear.
• Caitlin Stasey as Laura Weaver: Stasey plays Laura, the initial patient whose gruesome death sets off the chain of events. Though her role is brief, her portrayal of a woman on the edge—haunted by something no one else can see—is deeply unsettling and effectively sets the tone for the rest of the film.

The supporting characters, including Rose’s fiancé Trevor (Jessie T. Usher) and her sister Holly (Gillian Zinser), help to emphasize Rose’s growing isolation as they struggle to understand what she’s experiencing. Their inability to comprehend the supernatural threat that Rose faces adds to her feeling of helplessness, creating a sense of alienation that’s palpable throughout the film.

Trauma, Paranoia, and the Inescapable Cycle of Fear

At its core, Smile is about the inescapable nature of trauma. The curse that haunts Rose operates much like unresolved trauma—it’s passed on from one person to the next, feeding on fear and emotional pain. The film portrays how trauma can isolate individuals, making it difficult for them to connect with others or seek help. Rose’s experiences mirror those of countless individuals struggling with mental health issues who feel unheard or dismissed by those around them.

The theme of paranoia is also central to the film. As Rose becomes more desperate to escape the curse, her inability to trust those around her escalates. The entity that haunts her seems to thrive on her fear, making every smile—from friends, strangers, and even herself—a potential threat. This creates a sense of distrust that’s both psychological and supernatural, blending the two seamlessly to keep the audience guessing.

Additionally, the film touches on the concept of guilt and personal responsibility. Rose feels guilty for not being able to save Laura, and this guilt becomes intertwined with her fear of the curse. The idea that the only way to escape the curse is to pass it on to someone else adds a moral dilemma to the horror—can someone knowingly condemn another person to such a fate? This question lies at the heart of Smile, making it more than just a supernatural horror but also a reflection on human nature and our response to pain.

The Paramount Scares Vol. 1 4K UHD Release: An Unnerving Experience Enhanced

The Paramount Scares Vol. 1 4K UHD release of Smile elevates the film’s unsettling atmosphere, making it the definitive way to experience this modern horror hit. The 4K resolution enhances the detail of every frame, from the subtle expressions that betray a character’s fear to the chilling, almost surreal visual distortions that mark Rose’s descent into paranoia. The crisp visuals bring out the eerie details—like the unsettling grins that appear throughout the film—making them even more disturbing in high definition.

The HDR (High Dynamic Range) brings a richness to the film’s color palette, heightening the contrast between light and shadow. The brightness of mundane, everyday settings contrasts sharply with the oppressive darkness of Rose’s visions, emphasizing the duality of her experience. The vibrant, unnatural colors that sometimes seep into the frame during moments of heightened terror make the supernatural elements more vivid and more terrifying.

The Dolby Atmos audio track takes the experience to another level. The sound design of Smile is integral to its sense of dread—distorted voices, echoing whispers, and sudden auditory jolts are all used to keep viewers on edge. The 4K release’s audio mix ensures that these elements are more immersive than ever, surrounding the viewer in a soundscape that feels as disorienting as the visuals. Cristobal Tapia de Veer’s haunting score, with its unsettling melodies and jarring crescendos, is rendered in all its eerie glory, ensuring that every note contributes to the film’s unrelenting tension.

The Blu-ray also includes bonus features that provide insight into the making of the film. Interviews with Parker Finn, Sosie Bacon, and other cast members explore how they approached the film’s psychological themes and its unique take on supernatural horror. Featurettes on the practical effects and visual design offer a behind-the-scenes look at how the filmmakers created the unsettling imagery that makes Smile so effective.

Recommendations for Fans of Smile

If Smile resonated with you due to its blend of psychological horror, supernatural elements, and exploration of trauma, there are several other films that capture similar themes and atmospheres:

• It Follows (2014): Directed by David Robert Mitchell, this film features a supernatural curse that’s passed from one person to another, much like the entity in Smile. Its focus on the inevitability of the curse and the sense of paranoia it creates make it a perfect companion to Smile.
• The Ring (2002): Gore Verbinski’s remake of the Japanese horror film Ringu centers on a cursed videotape that leads to a terrifying death unless the curse is passed on. The concept of a spreading curse and the unsettling imagery make it a must-watch for fans of Smile.
• The Babadook (2014): Jennifer Kent’s psychological horror film delves into grief, trauma, and the manifestation of inner fears. Like Smile, it blurs the lines between psychological and supernatural horror, using the protagonist’s mental state to enhance the film’s atmosphere.
• Hereditary (2018): Directed by Ari Aster, Hereditary explores how grief and family trauma can have devastating consequences. Its slow-burn approach and shocking moments of supernatural horror offer a similarly unnerving experience.
• The Invisible Man (2020): Leigh Whannell’s reimagining of the classic story is a psychological thriller that deals with themes of gaslighting, paranoia, and isolation. The protagonist’s struggle to convince others of an unseen threat mirrors Rose’s experiences in Smile, making it a fitting recommendation.

Smile’s Place in Modern Horror: A Commentary on Trauma and Isolation

Smile has quickly become a significant entry in modern horror, both for its effective use of traditional horror elements like jump scares and its deeper thematic exploration of trauma. In a genre often criticized for relying on cheap thrills, Smile stands out by using its scares to serve the narrative rather than dominate it. The unsettling smiles that pervade the film are not just frightening—they’re a representation of the facades people wear, hiding their true pain and suffering.

The film’s depiction of trauma as a malevolent force that can be passed from person to person is a powerful metaphor. It reflects how emotional pain, when unaddressed, can become a burden that affects not just the individual but everyone around them. Rose’s struggle to confront her past and the guilt she carries is a universal experience, and the supernatural

Smile releases onto 4K UHD as part of the Paramount Scares Vol. 1 release

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