Smile

This movie is one of the most effective psychological horror films released in recent years because of how well it combines disturbing imagery, suspense, and emotional tension. Directed by Parker Finn, the movie follows therapist Rose Cotter, played by Sosie Bacon, after she witnesses a horrifying suicide that leaves her trapped in a terrifying supernatural cycle. The film turns something normally comforting - a smile - into something deeply unsettling, and that idea alone gives the movie a unique identity. Critics and audiences widely praised the atmosphere, creepy visuals, and Bacon’s performance, even though some felt the story borrowed elements from movies like The Ring and It Follows. One of the strongest aspects of Smile is its ability to create constant psychological discomfort rather than relying only on cheap scares. The movie uses silence, distorted camera angles, facial expressions, and paranoia to make viewers feel trapped alongside the main character. While the jump scares are frequent and sometimes predictable, many viewers still found them effective because of the intense tension built beforehand. The film also explores themes of trauma, mental illness, and emotional isolation, though some reviewers believed those themes were not explored deeply enough. Despite that criticism, Smile succeeds as a modern horror film because it remains unsettling from beginning to end and leaves viewers thinking about its disturbing scenes long after the movie is over.