Smile follows psychiatrist Rose Cotter who witnesses a patient's traumatic suicide and begins experiencing terrifying visions. The film's premise — a demonic entity that transmits itself through trauma and forces its victims to die traumatically in front of witnesses — is among the most spiritually disturbing premises in recent horror. Extremely graphic imagery, suicides depicted graphically, demonic possession themes. 20/100 Avoid — not appropriate for Christian viewing.
Smile (2022, directed by Parker Finn) follows Dr. Rose Cotter (Sosie Bacon), a psychiatrist who witnesses a patient's violent suicide and begins experiencing terrifying hallucinations. She discovers she has been targeted by a demonic entity that transmits itself through traumatic death — each victim is forced to perform a violent, disturbing act of self-harm or death in front of a witness, passing the curse forward. The film grossed $217 million worldwide.
Smile is not just intense horror — it has specific elements that make it particularly concerning for Christians:
Demonic transmission/possession: The film's central premise is a demonic entity that literally transmits itself through traumatic death, possessing and eventually killing its victims. This is not vague supernatural horror but a specific demonic mechanics premise.
Graphic suicide depictions: Multiple graphic suicides are central to the film's plot and depicted on screen in detail. The film uses suicide as its primary horror mechanism throughout.
Psychological trauma as horror fuel: The film systematically uses trauma, mental illness, and psychiatric settings in ways that can be distressing for viewers with personal history of mental illness or suicide loss.
No redemptive arc: Unlike many horror films with moral resolution, Smile has a deeply nihilistic ending that provides no resolution or hope. See our Christian Faith Films hub. Compare with A Quiet Place for horror with redemptive themes. Plugged In reviews it in detail.
For 2026 horror films parents are asking about, see our guides on Scream 7, Backrooms, and Evil Dead: Burn.