History YMMV / Smile2022

** The scene where [[spoiler:Rose hallucinates stabbing a defenseless Carl in order for her to escape the curse while Dr. Desai watches in horror.]] What sounds like a decently horrifying scene on paper can quickly become humorous when [[spoiler:Carl starts laughing after Rose stabs him about twenty times. It gets even funnier due to Dr. Desai's over-the-top reaction to it and when he starts ''peeling his own face off'',]] which comes right out of nowhere considering how it was already established that the Smile Entity’s MO was to present smiling figures to Rose.

** Rose’s [[spoiler:nightmare about stabbing Carl]] is very over-the-top and made many theatergoers laugh their asses off but many consider it to be one of the movie’s highlights as it is one of only scenes in the film that seems to fully embrace the ridiculousness of the film’s schlocky and narmy premise.

* FanonDiscontinuity: Some fans despise [[spoiler:the DownerEnding and would pretend that the movie ended when Rose killed the entity, overcoming her trauma over her mother's death, and burned down her old home]].

* CompleteMonster: [[spoiler:The [[AxCrazy Smile Entity]] is a [[OurDemonsAreDifferent malevolent demon]] that [[EmotionEater feeds on trauma]]. Its modus operandi being possessing its victims and forcing a twisted smile on their faces before [[PsychicAssistedSuicide making them graphically kill themselves]], the Smile Entity then latches itself on a witness to repeat the process. When Dr. Rose Cotter becomes its latest target, it psychologically abuses and {{gaslight|ing}}s her, including driving her to unconsciously kill her cat and giving it to her traumatized nephew as a birthday gift. When it seems that Rose has successfully overcomes her childhood trauma and defeated the Smile Entity, she discovers that she fell into an elaborate trap and immolates herself, beginning the cycle anew with Joel as a witness.]]

* CompleteMonster: [[spoiler:The [[AxCrazy Smile Entity]] is a [[OurDemonsAreDifferent malevolent demon]] that [[EmotionEater feeds on trauma]]. Its modus operandi being possessing its victims and forcing a twisted smile on their faces before [[PsychicAssistedSuicide making them graphically kill themselves]], the Smile Entity then latches itself on a witness to repeat the process. When Dr. Rose Cotter becomes its latest target, it psychologically abuses and {{gaslight|ing}}s her, including driving her to unconsciously kill her cat and giving it to her traumatized nephew as a birthday gift. When it seemed Rose successfully overcome her childhood trauma and defeated the Smile Entity, she discovers that she fell into an elaborate trap and immolates herself beginning the cycle anew with Joel as a witness.]]

* TooBleakStoppedCaring: Just like Rose's mental state, this movie is a real downward spiral, not helped by much of the cast being uncooperative and unhelpful. [[spoiler:Rose's fiancé and sister are both a HorribleJudgeOfCharacter who immediately keep their distance from Rose for an act that they should have known was extremely unlike her (although her sister could be justified due to their mother's past and the birthday party fiasco). Joel is good to her and one of the few other characters who is remotely understanding but even then he's barely able to be of any help to her. The ''brutal'' DownerEnding especially made the movie very upsetting as a whole to endure]].

* SignatureScene: The scene where the Entity imitates Rose's sister and walks up to her car window, detaching its head and twisting its neck 180 degrees to smile at Rose was the most popular scene in the trailer. Being by easily the film's most shared moment online.

** Carl yelling “You’re going to die! You’re going to die” over and over again can definitely come across as ridiculous for some.

** The famous neck-twisting scene. It's so out-of-nowhere, unnecessary (why couldn't she just lower her head), tonally different and goofy in how the neck works that just loses the intimidating factor.

* ParanoiaFuel: The allucinations caused by the Smile entity. You can't entirely trust ''anything'' you hear or see, and it will gladly approach taking the form of people you know just to taunt you.

* SignatureScene:
** Laura's SlasherSmile right before a self-inflicted SlashedThroat, which is the central image of the film's publicity. Very much helped by how the actress ''absolutely nails'' both the smile (having probably the best one in the movie) and the dissonantly calm behavior to go with it.
** The scene where the Entity imitates Rose's sister and walks up to her car window, detaching its head from its neck to smile at Rose.
** [[spoiler:The ending where the Entity's true form is revealed]].

* OneSceneWonder: Creator/CaitlinStasey as Laura in the scene that starts the plot rolling. She really does convey the horror and despair of an otherwise intelligent and decent young woman who knows that the curse has doomed her. Her desperate use of YouHaveToBelieveMe with Rose makes you feel for her plight, one that Rose will soon find herself in. She also ''nails'' the unsettling calm and CreepySmile during her suicide right after, selling you the horror of the situation.

* The famous neck-twisting scene. It's so out-of-nowhere, unnecessary (why couldn't she just lower her head), tonally different and goofy in how the neck works that just loses the intimidating factor.

* UnintentionalUnsympathetic: Rose's plight to find people believing her might come off as this, considering she is [[PoorCommunicationKills very bad at explaining the situation]], often opening the conversation with shocking sentences or graphic imagery without giving context and storming off when people are either disturbed or try to get some context. It's particularly striking since Rose herself didn't actually believe the story when first heard it, trying to rationalize like all the other people do with her, and Laura accused her of not listening just like she accuses everyone else. Overall, Rose keeps expecting everyone to react to the story better than she did, despite her having more training than them. Even his fiancé calling a professional to help is shown as some villainous act and not the action of someone out of his depth. To make matters worse when she actually finds someone who believes her, Joel, she keeps him completely out of the loop, refusing to talk to the person she found that actually did listen.

* OneSceneWonder: Creator/CaitlinStasey as Laura in the scene that starts the plot rolling. She really does convey the horror and despair of an otherwise intelligent and decent young woman who knows that the curse has doomed her. Her desperate use of YouHaveToBelieveMe with Rose makes you feel for her plight, one that Rose will soon find herself in.

** Joel's presence in the finale: [[spoiler: did he just [[TooDumbToLive follow Rose despite knowing her plan]], or did the entity made her allucinate the call and manipulated her so that a witness would be present?]]

** Laura's SlasherSmile right before a self-inflicted SlashedThroat, which is the central image of the film's publicity.

* TrailerJokeDecay: The infamous JumpScare of Rose's sister twisting her neck to smile at her in the car was easily the most popular part of the trailer and shared constantly online. Therefore, watching the film, it's no longer too much of a surprise.

* TooBleakStoppedCaring: Just like Rose's mental state, this movie is a real downward spiral, not helped by much of the cast being uncooperative and unhelpful. [[spoiler:Rose's fiancé and sister are both a HorribleJudgeOfCharacter who immediately reject and demonize Rose for an act that they should have known was extremely unlike her (although her sister probably is more justified due to). Joel is good to her and one of the few other characters who is remotely understanding but even then he's barely able to be of any help to her. The ''brutal'' DownerEnding especially made the movie very upsetting as a whole to endure]].

* FandomRivalry: With ''{{Film/Barbarian}}'', due to both being socially conscious horror films released around the same time. ''Smile'' fans consider this film found to be much scarier, disturbing, serious and a more cohesive film than ''Barbarian'' which to be too comedic, over-the-top, and taking too many leaps in its narrative structure to be taken seriously. Fans of ''Barbarian'' on the other hand, found that film to be much more unique, creative, and unpredictable compared to ''Smile'', which they felt was far more predictable, generic and highly derivative of other horror movies.

** The scene where Carl describes the feeling of despair to Rose. There is no indication that what he’s referring to is the Entity. Rather, he’s simply describing something everyone has at least felt once in their life, complete and utter hopelessness.

** The where Carl the feeling of despair to Rose. There is no indication that what he’s talking about is the Entity. Rather, he’s describing something everyone has at least felt once in their life.

* RealismInducedHorror: While the film's main threat is a supernatural one; the kills are brutal; jumpscares frightening, and features truly unsettling imagery. For some, the scariest thing of all is Rose's plight - ''nobody is there for her during her crisis until it's too late'', and everyone in her life, including her own family and fiance, dismisses her troubles and fears as her mind starts to deteriorate. Many struggling with isolation and mental illness found these scenes to be even more terrifying than any of the scenes with the Entity.

%%Per Administrivia/NoRecentExamplesPlease, "So X, It's Y" tropes cant be added until 1 month after initial release

* FandomRivalry: With ''{{Film/Barbarian}}'', due to both being socially conscious horror films released around the same time. Fans of this film found it to be much scarier, tonally consistent, and disturbing. With many ''Smile'' fans finding ''Barbarian'' to be too comedic, over-the-top, and taking too many leaps in its narrative structure to be taken seriously, preferring this film's more streamlined plot and serious approach. Fans of ''Barbarian'' on the other hand, found that film to be much more unique and creative compared to ''Smile'', which they felt was far more predictable, generic and highly derivative of other horror movies.

** Despite there being a rivalry between the two, many people who liked ''Smile'' also liked ''{{Film/Barbarian}}'' and would even say watching both back-to-back would make for a great double-feature.

* CompleteMonster: [[spoiler:The [[AxCrazy Smile Entity]] is a [[OurDemonsAreDifferent malevolent demon]] that [[EmotionEater feeds on trauma]]. Its modus operandi being possessing its victims and forcing a twisted smile on their faces before [[PsychicAssistedSuicide making them graphically kill themselves]], the Smile Entity then latches itself on a witness to repeat the process. When Dr. Rose Cotter becomes its latest target, it psychologically abuses and [[{{Gaslighting}} gaslights]] her, including driving her to unconsciously kill her cat and giving it to her traumatized nephew as a birthday gift. When it seemed Rose successfully overcome her childhood trauma and defeated the Smile Entity, she discovers that she fell into an elaborate trap and immolates herself beginning the cycle anew with Joel as a witness.]]