Smiley (2012 film)
Smiley | |
---|---|
Directed by | Michael Gallagher |
Written by | Michael Gallagher Glasgow Phillips |
Story by | Ezra Cooperstein |
Produced by | Michael Wormser |
Starring | Caitlin Gerard Melanie Papalia Andrew James Allen Liza Weil Toby Turner Roger Bart Keith David Jason Horton Shane Dawson |
Cinematography | Nicola B. Marsh |
Edited by | Zach Anderson |
Music by | Dave Porter |
Production company | Level 10 Films |
Distributed by | Fever Productions LLC MIJ Productions |
Release date |
|
Running time | 95 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Smiley is a 2012 American slasher film directed by Michael Gallagher and made by Level 10 Films.[1] The film stars Caitlin Gerard, Melanie Papalia, Keith David, Shane Dawson, Andrew James Allen, Toby Turner, and Liza Weil.[2] The film was released on October 12, 2012, to largely negative reviews.[3][4]
Plot
The plot revolves around the titular Smiley killer, the subject of an Internet myth. Supposedly, if a person on a Chatroulette-style website types the phrase "I did it for the lulz" three times, their chat partner will be murdered by a killer called Smiley (so named because he mutilated his own face by stitching his own eyes shut and carved his mouth into a smile) before they themselves are killed.
A college student named Ashley (Gerard) becomes roommates with Proxy (Papalia). Ashley decides to go to a party where she meets Zane (Allen), Mark (Turner) and Binder (Dawson), who is mocked by his classmates for having reported a case of pedophilia, earning him the nickname Pedobear.
One night Ashley and Proxy test out the Smiley myth with a random person online. After typing "I did it for the lulz" three times, to their horror, the stranger is murdered. Proxy convinces Ashley to stay silent. However, Ashley begins experiencing guilt over the stranger's death. She also begins to believe that Smiley is stalking her and intends to kill her; her friends and a psychiatrist write this off as anxious hallucinations and nightmares. Ashley eventually goes to the police; there she tries to convince them, to no avail, to investigate the murders caused by Smiley. The police dismiss her, implying that she is going crazy and quite possibly on the receiving end of a large, elaborate prank.
When Proxy loses contact with Zane, she video chats Ashley in hysterics. Ashley goes to his house to check on him, only to find him shot dead with a handgun he purchased for self-defense. Instead of calling the police, Ashley picks up the gun and orders Proxy to type "I did it for the lulz" three times, hoping to ambush and kill Smiley. However, she accidentally shoots Binder, who had been coming over to check on her. Moments later, Smiley appears and slits Binder's throat. Ashley is then attacked by multiple Smileys, finally throwing herself out a window to her presumed death to escape them.
It is then revealed that Ashley's classmates, including Proxy, Binder, and the babysitter murdered in the opening, are all part of a fringe group of
Later, Proxy is video-chatting with Zane, questioning their morality. Zane dismisses her worries and types "I did it for the lulz" three times as a joke. However, a real Smiley appears behind Proxy, kills her, and then waves at Zane via webcam as he watches on in pure horror.
In a post-credits scene, Ashley unexpectedly wakes up and gasps loudly, revealing that she survived her fall.
Cast
- Caitlin Gerard as Ashley
- Melanie Papalia as Proxy
- Shane Dawson as Binder
- Andrew James Allen as Zane
- Liza Weil as Dr. Jenkins
- Toby Turner as Mark
- Roger Bart as Professor Clayton
- Keith David as Diamond
- Patrick O'Sullivan as Cooper
- Nikki Limo as Stacy
- Jason Horton as Flasher
- Bree Essrig as Kim
- Darrien Skylar as Mary
- Michael Traynor as Smiley
Production and release
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (May 2017) |
Gallagher began working on Smiley after performing in some episodes of the Totally Sketch series on YouTube.
The film played in select AMC theaters throughout the United States, with fans able to request to host screenings of Smiley in their cities via Tugg.[11]
Reaction from 4chan and Anonymous
Prior to the film's official theatrical release, Gallagher and his family began receiving threats from people alleging to be from
Reception
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (May 2017) |
The film received largely negative reviews and holds an 18% rating on
Bloody Disgusting panned the film, stating that the writers "took a strong, modern idea, over-thought it and turned it into a generic '90s movie that'll have you throwing popcorn at the screen".[19] Variety called the film "uninspired", saying that "the mayhem here is neither especially gory nor suspenseful".[20] Mark Olsen of the Los Angeles Times gave a more positive review, calling the film a "more or less satisfying low-key creeper". Olsen praised Gerard, Weil, David, and Bart's performances, but called the story-telling "repetitive".[21]
References
- ^ McCormac, Patty. "For young director, bringing film to life was 'ethereal' experience". Coast News. Retrieved September 10, 2012.
- ^ "'Smiley': La historia de un simpático asesino". terror.cinequo.com (in Spanish). January 2, 2012. Archived from the original on June 19, 2013. Retrieved April 27, 2012.
- DreadCentral. Retrieved April 27, 2012.
- ^ Kilday, Greg (27 August 2012). "AMC Theatres to Release Horror Thriller 'Smiley'". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 10, 2012.
- ^ McNary, Dave (June 29, 2012). "Fever Prods. sets date for 'Smiley'". Variety. Retrieved July 31, 2015.
- ^ a b c d Houston, Shannon (12 October 2012). "Michael Gallagher, Director of the Controversial New Film Smiley". Paste Magazine. Retrieved February 21, 2014.
- ^ a b "Exclusive Interview: Writer/Director Michael Gallagher Talks Smiley, Sequel Plans and More". Dread Central. 13 February 2013. Retrieved February 21, 2014.
- ^ Kay, Jeremy. "AMC Theatres, Fever Productions to release horror film Smiley". Screen Daily. Retrieved February 21, 2014.
- DreadCentral. Retrieved April 27, 2012.
- ^ Miska, Brad (November 26, 2011). "You Called 'Smiley', Now He's Here in the Form of a Trailer!". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved April 27, 2012.
- ^ Turek, Ryan. "The Serial Killer Smiley is Coming Your Way". Shock Till You Drop. Retrieved September 10, 2012.
- ^ a b Wax, Alyse. "Exclusive: We Talk Trolls and Death Threats With 'Smiley' Director Michael Gallagher". Fearnet. Retrieved February 21, 2014.
- ^ "Michael Gallagher Says 4Chan Sent Death Threats About Horror Flick". Huffington Post. 9 October 2012. Retrieved February 21, 2014.
- ^ "Smiley (2012)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved October 13, 2012.
- ^ Wilson, Chuck. "Smiley". Village Voice. Retrieved October 13, 2012.
- ^ Scheck, Frank (11 October 2012). "Smiley: Film Review". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 13, 2012.
- ^ "Review: Smiley". AV Club. 11 October 2012. Retrieved October 13, 2012.
- ^ Catsoulis, Jeannette (12 October 2012). "Sutured Slasher Is On the Loose". New York Times. Retrieved October 13, 2012.
- ^ "Review: Smiley". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved October 13, 2012.
- ^ Harvey, Dennis (10 October 2012). "Smiley". Variety. Retrieved October 13, 2012.
- ^ Olsen, Mark (October 11, 2012). "Review: 'Smiley' an Internet Age horror film". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 31, 2015.
External links
- Official website
- Smiley at IMDb
- Smiley at Rotten Tomatoes
- Smiley at Metacritic