HALF-DROWNED HOUND 
Smile
Oh, Smile... A very conflicting movie.
The thing about Smile is that it's bad, but also good, but also forgettable, but also unforgettable, and shallow, but also deep. For the longest time, I wasn't planning on watching it, since I rarely watch new releases- the saturation of discussion in horror fan circles gets annoying- but this review changed my mind. You don't really go into this movie thinking it's a creature feature- not for certain, anyway- but since that's my favorite horror subgenre, and thus my favorite genre overall, the gory multi-jawed smile beast was irresistible, even though I'd spoiled the entire movie for myself. While the plot didn't really enthrall me- as someone who's been an r/nosleep reader for ages, creepy smiles don't really impress me anymore- the monster reveal was worth it. Definitely not something I'll forget; it hit my taste in just the right places to make me a big fan, even if I'm not passionate about the movie itself.
The other unforgettable thing and aspect I actually am passionate about is the score. It grabbed me from the very first time I heard it, and never let up. The scare chords and frenetic voices at the birthday party... ugh it is impeccable! I know horror movies also get shafted at the Oscars, but it was still irritating to see it not even shortlisted for best score. Scores are a big thing for me in horror, and for some reason they seem to be underutilized, but the Smile score isn't one I'm going to be forgetting anytime soon.
The other thing that grabbed my attention was the theme of emotional/psychological trauma. My own horror work is almost always about trauma, so it's pretty easy to convince me to get me to see a horror movie if it has those themes. It's sort of hard to tell how well Smile sticks the landing, though. On the one hand, it's shallow- it doesn't say anything new. "Hurt people hurt people"? Yeah, tell me something I don't know. On the other hand, I won't get into it, but cyclical trauma really does feel like a curse sometimes, and, like the jumpscare of the "Smilers" Rose deals with, its effects are vicious, both internally and externally, and can crop up at virtually any time. In fact, for just this once, I think the frequent jumpscares even drive home the point more. Again, that is pretty much what it's like to live with PTSD or acute stress disorder- the overactive startle response makes everything into a jumpscare. (Seriously, I think I could get my arm lopped off and my parents wouldn't even check on me because I shriek at every little noise already.) Still, though, Smile wishes it were The Babadook.
So, overall, Smile is... well, it's Smile. It's a worthwhile watch, and is kind of intriguing to analyze, especially if you've been up close and personal with severe trauma. (Redundant, I know.) Also, shout-out to the score yet again. PSA to horror movie creators: a good score is gonna get you, well, a good score. That said, don't expect it to be memorable in any other aspect. If it has an emotional effect on you, that's great, but personally, it didn't exactly bring a tear to my eye.
P.S. Sorry for oversharing. It will happen again.