Current Events > "Smile" is one of the best horror movies in the last 5 years

(+) Yeah! (+)

*No spoilers in this post*

I love horror movies, i've likely seen around 40ish in the last year alone. While Smile may not have the most original plot (it is derivative of a couple of horror movies we've seen the last couple of decades), it is executed very well. The camera work and sound design is top-notch. And while I am not typically a fan of jump scares, I feel like the ones used in this movie are well-done and make sense within the plot (there aren't too many anyways).

But the best thing about this movie is the creepy slow burn. I'm a sucker for this kind of pacing for a horror film and it's rare that a "mainstream" horror movie does it this well. Acting is great as well. There are some obvious flaws, which I won't get into because it could spoil the experience. Would highly recommend.

It is highly recommended not to watch any trailers before-hand if possible, as they give away some good parts. Also trigger warning: this movie has a lot to do with *minor vague spoilers?* mental illness. Like a lot.

8/10

Streaming on Paramount Plus (this is not an ad)

It is really good. Along the lines of "it follows" there was also a movie called Smiley back in 2017 I think that was Ring inspired

I liked it and Im not usually into supernatural movies.

inloveanddeath0 posted...

It is really good. Along the lines of "it follows" there was also a movie called Smiley back in 2017 I think that was Ring inspired

Yeah Smile def took inspiration from The Ring for sure

2/10 for me. It could have been good if it relied less on cheap jump scares. Jump scares are not and have never actually been scary.

It is good.

Fable posted...

2/10 for me. It could have been good if it relied less on cheap jump scares. Jump scares are not and have never actually been scary.

I think in room 1408 they were well implemented

inloveanddeath0 posted...

I think in room 1408 they were well implemented

It's fine if it's once or twice in well-timed spots that fit the narrative. But every 5-10 minutes is excessive & annoying.

Fable posted...

2/10 for me. It could have been good if it relied less on cheap jump scares. Jump scares are not and have never actually been scary.

I would usually agree with this, but to me the movie was scary enough despite its jump scares (though i felt there were a couple of really good ones). But I completely get it. This is a fairly divisive horror movie. I just really enjoyed it by going in with no prior knowledge on the movie at all. One of the better "mainstream" horror movies in recent years imo, but not without its flaws

Fable posted...

It's fine if it's once or twice in well-timed spots that fit the narrative. But every 5-10 minutes is excessive & annoying.

I think it works well to some of the newer generations less intentive attention span

While most jumpscares are dumb and predictable the one of her sister knocking on the car door was pretty well done

I wonder how many people stayed away from it because they thought based on the poster that it was like that terrible Truth or Dare movie from a few years back.

I may almost agree now that I think of it. For the past 5 years its up there for me

1 Get Out
2 Midsommer
3 Hereditary
4 X
5 A Quiet Place

Shit..... I'm watching it now. Just got to the part 20 minutes in where

The main character is in the kitchen drinking wine and the camera just casually pans over to show what she is looking at, and without any music or anything, it just casually is that dead lady smiling in the dark. That was so creepy.

OudeGeuze posted...

While most jumpscares are dumb and predictable the one of her sister knocking on the car door was pretty well done

yeah that one got me good lol

It was a very happy surprise, for sure. I've been describing it to people as "a super well-polished mid 2000's horror film."

It's got the high amount of jump scares, it's got the heavy subject matter, but it actually handles those aspects surprisingly well and with skill.

My first thought when they showed the cat the first time was
"Nothing better happen to this cat"

What if you refuse to look? I wonder if the curse woukd still spread if you close your eyes and don't watch

Haunting of Hill House had the best jump scares I've seen in recent memory.

Fable posted...

2/10 for me. It could have been good if it relied less on cheap jump scares. Jump scares are not and have never actually been scary.

OudeGeuze posted...

While most jumpscares are dumb and predictable the one of her sister knocking on the car door was pretty well done

These.
I wouldn't say it's really bad, but it's not a movie I'll ever watch again. It was way to similar to It Follows, a movie I did enjoy immensely.