Some horror films rely on jump scares—Hereditary doesn’t need them. Ari Aster’s chilling debut feature is a slow-burning, psychologically devastating nightmare, anchored by one of the best performances in horror history from Toni Collette.

This isn’t just a horror movie—it’s trauma incarnate.

The Setup: A Family on the Brink

When Annie Graham’s (Toni Collette) estranged, secretive mother passes away, it should bring relief. Instead, it sets off a chain reaction of terror that tears her family apart. Her husband (Gabriel Byrne) tries to hold things together, while her son Peter (Alex Wolff) and daughter Charlie (Milly Shapiro) struggle under the weight of generational trauma, grief, and something far more sinister.

What starts as a tense family drama soon morphs into pure nightmare fuel, and once the horror kicks in—it doesn’t let go.

What Makes It Special

✔ Toni Collette is phenomenal. Her performance is raw, terrifying, and Oscar-worthy—one of the greatest in horror history.
✔ Unrelenting dread. The film seeps under your skin with its eerie sound design, unsettling cinematography, and a story that gets progressively more horrifying.
✔ Ari Aster’s direction is masterful. Every shot feels meticulously crafted, blending surreal terror with brutal realism.
✔ No cheap scares—only existential horror. This is the kind of film that leaves you speechless by the time the credits roll.

Where It Falls Short (For Some)

✖ Deeply unsettling—not your typical “fun” horror movie. This is heavy, psychological, and emotionally draining.
✖ Some moments border on surreal. The film’s final act takes a sharp turn into the bizarre, which might not work for everyone.
✖ Lingering questions. Certain plot elements remain mysterious or ambiguous, adding to the film’s unsettling nature but leaving some viewers wanting more answers.

Final Rating: 4/5 – Terrifying, Emotional, and Unforgettable

Hereditary is more than just a horror film—it’s an experience. With brilliant performances, masterful tension, and an ending that will haunt you for days, it’s a modern horror masterpiece.

But be warned: this isn’t just scary—it’s emotionally devastating.

Some horror movies change the game—others just play by the rules really well. Smile falls into the latter category, delivering a slick, jump-scare-heavy thriller that borrows from horror classics but still manages to keep audiences glued to their seats.

With a viral marketing campaign and an effective mix of psychological dread and supernatural terror, Smile became an unexpected box office smash—but does it really deserve the hype?

The Setup: When Smiles Kill

Dr. Rose Cotter (Sosie Bacon) is a psychiatrist used to treating patients on the edge. But when she witnesses a gruesome, seemingly supernatural suicide of a patient, she finds herself trapped in a waking nightmare.

A mysterious entity—which only she can see—begins to haunt her, appearing as familiar faces with unnervingly twisted smiles. As her paranoia grows and her sanity crumbles, Rose must race against time to break the curse before it claims her next.

Sound familiar? That’s because Smile borrows heavily from horror staples like The Ring and It Follows. But does it execute these ideas well?

What Works: Jumpscares, Atmosphere & Marketing Genius

✔ Terrifying visual horror. The unnatural, unsettling smiles and distorted faces create a sense of pure dread.
✔ Tense, well-executed scares. Even if the film relies on classic jump scares, they work. Expect a few legit “holy sh*t” moments.
✔ Sosie Bacon delivers. The film wouldn’t work without her committed, unraveling performance—she makes the horror feel real.
✔ Viral marketing was genius. Creepy actors smiling at live sports events made this movie unforgettable before it even hit theaters.

Where It Falls Short

✖ Too derivative. The film is basically a mashup of The Ring, It Follows, and The Grudge—without much originality.
✖ Inconsistent pacing. The horror hits hard, but the moments in between feel sluggish and drag out the runtime.
✖ Too many endings. The final act keeps going… and going, trying to subvert expectations but ultimately feeling bloated.

Final Rating: 3/5 – Effective but Unoriginal

Smile won’t reinvent horror, but it’s a solid supernatural thriller with chilling imagery, nerve-wracking tension, and strong performances. If you love jump-scare-heavy horror, it delivers exactly what you’d expect.

Just don’t expect it to haunt you long after the credits roll.