Smile | 2022

Main Plot

After a disturbing encounter with a patient who dies in front of her under mysterious and horrifying circumstances, psychiatrist Dr. Rose Cotter finds her life unraveling. Haunted by unsettling visions and an overwhelming sense of dread, Rose begins to suspect that a malevolent force is stalking her. As her grip on reality weakens, she struggles to convince those around her of the danger, but her claims are dismissed as delusions. Determined to uncover the truth, Rose delves into the origins of the sinister presence, discovering a chilling pattern of terror that connects her to others who have suffered similar fates. Racing against time and her own deteriorating sanity, she must confront the entity before it claims her as its next victim. The film weaves psychological horror with supernatural elements, exploring the lasting impact of trauma and the terror of confronting an invisible, relentless evil.

Characters

• Sosie Bacon plays Dr. Rose Cotter, a dedicated psychiatrist haunted by disturbing visions after a traumatic encounter. Her struggle to distinguish reality from delusion forms the film’s psychological core.
• Jessie T. Usher portrays Trevor, Rose’s supportive fiancé who grows increasingly concerned about her unraveling state. His attempts to help test the strength of their relationship under supernatural pressure.
• Kyle Gallner appears as Joel, a police detective and Rose’s ex-boyfriend who aids her investigation. Joel’s involvement forces both characters to confront unresolved pasts amid escalating terror.

Ending Explained

In the final act of Smile, the psychiatrist, Rose, desperately seeks to break free from the terrifying curse that has haunted her since witnessing her patient’s shocking suicide. Realizing that the malevolent entity feeds on trauma and fear, Rose isolates herself in her childhood home, hoping to confront the source of her own emotional pain and deny the entity a new victim. However, her attempt to outsmart the curse fails. The entity manifests in grotesque forms, forcing Rose to relive her deepest guilt and ultimately overpowering her. In a tragic resolution, Rose succumbs to the entity’s influence and takes her own life in front of her ex-boyfriend, Joel, thereby passing the curse to him. The film ends on a chilling note, emphasizing the relentless, contagious nature of the supernatural threat. Rose’s fate underscores the inescapability of the trauma the entity represents, and the final moments suggest that the cycle of horror will continue, leaving the audience with a lingering sense of dread and inevitability.