Having watched countless horror movies, I can honestly say that *Smile* really got to me. A lot of modern horror films seem to depend entirely on jump scares for impact. However, in *Smile*, Parker Finn manages to create suspense and build tension within scenes so that when the jump scare arrives, it’s anticipated but still elicits a visceral reaction from viewers. The movie doesn't necessarily reinvent plot or storytelling conventions, though there is some exploration of mental health issues and the experience of isolation during periods of mania. I felt empathy for Rose throughout; she used to be the person helping patients through crises, and now facing her own struggles, she encounters the same skepticism despite a very real fear. A sense of despair permeates the film as hope seems to fade from the main character's journey. Sosie Bacon delivers an excellent performance in this movie. She dominates every scene she’s in—and that’s almost all of them. Her subtle facial expressions and eye movements were heartbreakingly realistic, portraying someone experiencing trauma. I really appreciated her acting and am looking forward to seeing what she does next. The supporting performances were generally decent, though they didn't have a lot of material to work with, and the actors fulfilled their roles adequately. Jessie Usher felt somewhat misplaced; he played the supportive and charming husband well enough, but when asked to portray genuine fear or anger, his performance seemed exaggerated. Lastly, I need to mention the ending. Without giving anything away, it’s precisely what I was hoping for throughout the film. I kept questioning whether they would go through with it, second-guessing myself. When the resolution arrived, I left the theater feeling satisfied. **Score:** _75%_ | **Verdict:** _Good_

Source on TMDB