2022
WISE Score
A high-tension psychological horror that turns a friendly grin into a visceral, trauma-fueled nightmare.
6.7
6.7View →Smile is a solidly built horror machine that knows exactly how to push buttons. It’s not 'fun' horror in the way a popcorn slasher is; it’s a heavy, often mean-spirited look at mental health wrapped in a supernatural curse.
If your teen is into the 'elevated horror' wave—think Hereditary or It Follows—they’ll likely find this effective. But if you're looking for a Friday night thrill that won't leave everyone feeling a bit depressed, look elsewhere. It’s effective, but it’s a lot.
This is a hard R. It’s for older teens (16+) who are already horror veterans and adults. The themes of suicide and the sheer intensity of the scares make it a bad choice for younger viewers or anyone currently struggling with their mental health.
The entire plot revolves around a chain-reaction of trauma and public suicide; it is intentionally oppressive and emotionally draining.
While it leans on tropes from 'It Follows' and 'The Ring', the specific visual hook of the 'smile' is genuinely unsettling and well-executed.
Heavy gore, extreme psychological distress, and a high frequency of effective jump scares make this a 'not-for-kids' zone.
It attempts a serious look at how trauma is passed between people, though it often sacrifices depth for the next big scare.
By 2026, we've seen plenty of movies use 'trauma' as the literal monster, but Smile was one of the titles that really solidified the trend for the 2020s. It takes the viral-curse logic of The Ring and applies it to the way we witness and carry the pain of others. It’s a clever hook: you see someone die with a horrific grin, and now you’re the one who’s 'it.'
While the movie is famous for its 'jump scares' (and there are many), the real strength is the atmosphere of isolation. Director Parker Finn does a great job of making Rose feel completely gaslit by her husband, her sister, and her boss. For a parent, the most 'horror' part of the movie might actually be watching the support systems fail a person in crisis.
If your kid has already seen It Follows, they’ve seen the superior version of this story. Smile is more commercial, louder, and gore-ier. It doesn't have the same dreamlike quality, opting instead for visceral shocks. It’s the difference between a haunting poem and a loud scream in your ear. Both work, but one stays with you longer.
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