Smile (2022 film)

 

Smile is a 2022 American psychological supernatural horror film written and directed by Parker Finn, in his feature directorial debut. A follow-up to Parker's short film Laura Hasn't Slept (2020), it stars Sosie Bacon as a therapist who witnesses the bizarre suicide of a patient, and then becomes overwhelmed with increasingly disturbing and daunting visions that lead her to believe she is experiencing something supernatural. It also features Jessie T. Usher, Kyle Gallner, Kal Penn, Rob Morgan, and Caitlin Stasey reprising her role from Laura Hasn't Slept.

A feature adaptation of Finn's short was announced in June 2020, and the cast was added in October 2021. Principal photography began that month in New Jersey and ended in November. It was originally set for release on the streaming service Paramount+, but the distributor, Paramount Pictures, released it theatrically after positive test screenings.

Smile premiered at Fantastic Fest on September 22, 2022, and was released in the United States on September 30. It received generally positive reviews and grossed over $217 million worldwide on a budget of $17 million. A sequel, Smile 2, was released in 2024 without the involvement of Paramount Players.

Directed by	Parker Finn
Written by	Parker Finn
Based on	Laura Hasn't Slept by Parker Finn
Produced by	Marty Bowen Wyck Godfrey Isaac Klausner Robert Salerno
Starring	Sosie Bacon Jessie T. Usher Kyle Gallner Kal Penn Rob Morgan
Cinematography	Charlie Sarroff
Edited by	Elliot Greenberg
Music by	Cristobal Tapia de Veer
Production companies	Paramount Players Temple Hill Entertainment
Distributed by	Paramount Pictures
Release dates	September 22, 2022 (Fantastic Fest) September 30, 2022 (United States)
Running time	115 minutes[1]
Country	United States
Language	English