Smile: Ant Coughlin and how Smile is Engaging, Derivative, and Irresponsible

Ant Coughlin joins Melanie & Melvin to discuss one of 2022’s surprise horror hits: Smile! The classic “You-Die-In-7-Days” trope is refreshed for a new generation and the gang (and guest!) are here to get into what makes Smile so effective, so oppressive, and… so irresponsible? That’s right! This is a post-elevated-horror world and you’re just livin’ in it. So, press that play button and get listening! There’s only so much time left in a day…!

Topics:

• (PATREON EXCLUSIVE) 26-minutes discussing 8 massive “blockbusters” from 2023, several of which have financially flopped, and various theories as to why these $200 million+ films haven’t connected with audiences. Meanwhile, Evil Dead Rise and Cocaine Bear are comfortably profitable! (PATREON EXCLUSIVE)
• Smile is very blunt about its rotating themes of trauma, anxiety, and saving face. That worked for Ant the first time he saw the movie… until the ending happened.
• When Melanie saw the trailer for Smile last year she audibly declared, “Nope!”. She also said, “I was deeply invested, discouraged at the end, but throughout the film just terrified.” and “I had a hard time sleeping.”.
• Smile has infrequent-yet-brutal violence. Melvin very much appreciated this, as well as the pervasive dour vibe.
• Cristobal Tapia De Veer produced a stellar, terrifying soundtrack to accompany Smile. It goes hard!
• A reviewer Melvin respects gave Smile a glaring 1/10 for being near-entirely derivative of better material. During Ant’s second watch of the film he found himself agreeing.
• Melvin largely understands most criticisms against Smile, including its irresponsibility regarding the way it handles its themes, but that doesn’t matter to him when he really connects with a character’s journey.
• Caitlin Stasey is an absolute standout!
• Getting into the controversial, irresponsible ending.
• For Melanie, Smile was really difficult to watch. Melvin asks why.

Recommendations:

• Annihilation (2018) (Movie)
• CCEF.org (Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation), a great resource for those struggling with their mental health.
• Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum (2018) (Movie)

Smile is Rated R for strong violent content and grisly images, and language. It features Sosie Bacon, Jessie T. Usher, Kyle Gallner, Robin Weigert, Caitlin Stasey, Kal Penn, Rob Morgan, Gillian Zinser, Nick Arapoglou, and Jack Sochet. Directed by Parker Finn. Smile is available here.

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Melvin Benson is the Founder, Editor-In-Chief, and Lead Host of Cinematic Doctrine. Whether it’s a movie, show, game, comic, or novel, it doesn’t matter. As long as it’s rich, he’s ready and willing to give it a try! His hope is to see King Jesus glorified as far as the east is from the west!

Cinematic Doctrine is available on iTunes, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and other major podcast apps.