Smile concludes with a chilling and definitive end: Rose Cotter, seemingly having broken the chain of the smiling entity’s curse by isolating herself and enduring immense psychological trauma, ultimately succumbs to despair and self-immolates in front of Joel, thus transferring the curse to him. This ending reinforces the cyclical and inescapable nature of trauma, leaving the audience with a deeply unsettling sense of hopelessness.
The Crushing Finale of Smile
The final moments of Smile are not ambiguous. Rose, after a desperate fight for survival and a harrowing confrontation with the entity manifesting as her abusive mother in her childhood home, believes she has outsmarted the curse. She isolates herself, denying the entity an audience for her death and believing that suicide would be the ultimate act of defiance.
However, the entity proves to be far more cunning and insidious. It anticipated Rose’s plan and manipulated her. The film culminates in Joel, Rose’s ex-boyfriend and a police detective, finding her in the remote cabin. As he arrives, Rose pours gasoline over herself, offering the entity the very thing it craves: a traumatic death witnessed by another, thus perpetuating the horrifying cycle. She lights herself on fire, ensuring Joel witnesses her horrific demise, sealing his fate and passing on the curse. The film ends with Joel visibly traumatized, displaying the chilling smile, indicating he is now the next victim.
The power of this ending lies in its uncompromising bleakness. It avoids the typical horror trope of a narrow escape or a last-minute victory. Instead, Smile offers a stark commentary on the pervasiveness of trauma and the difficulty of truly escaping its grasp.
Deciphering the Symbolism: More Than Just a Scary Smile
The movie cleverly employs symbolism to amplify its thematic concerns. The smile itself is not merely a frightening facial expression; it represents the insidious nature of trauma, a mask that hides profound suffering and perpetuates a cycle of violence. It’s a visual representation of the burden being passed from one victim to the next.
The Cabin: A Place of Origins and Endings
Rose’s childhood home, the cabin, is a crucial setting. It represents the origin point of her trauma, rooted in her dysfunctional relationship with her mother and her inability to save her. Returning to the cabin forces her to confront her past, but ultimately, it also becomes the site of her final, tragic act. The cabin, therefore, symbolizes the inescapable grip of the past and its power to dictate the present.
Joel: The Observer, Now the Victim
Joel serves as an outsider, initially investigating the phenomenon and offering Rose support. He represents the possibility of escape, a normal life free from the curse. However, his presence at the end solidifies the cycle. He becomes the unwilling witness, the next link in the chain, transforming from observer to victim. This reinforces the idea that trauma can affect anyone, even those seemingly detached from its initial source.
Analyzing the Ending: Why It Works (and Why It Divides)
The ending of Smile is intentionally divisive. Some viewers find it profoundly disturbing and thought-provoking, praising its unflinching portrayal of mental illness and trauma. Others criticize it for being overly bleak and lacking a sense of hope.
The effectiveness of the ending hinges on its commitment to realism, albeit in a supernatural context. It doesn’t offer a tidy resolution or a sense of closure. Instead, it leaves the audience with a lingering feeling of unease, prompting reflection on the pervasiveness of trauma and the challenges of overcoming it.
The controversial nature of the ending also stems from its exploration of suicide. While the film doesn’t explicitly endorse suicide, it portrays Rose’s act as a result of her overwhelming despair and a desperate attempt to regain control. This portrayal can be unsettling for viewers who have experienced similar struggles or have lost loved ones to suicide.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the Ending of Smile
Q1: Does Rose actually die at the end of Smile?
Yes, Rose Cotter tragically dies by self-immolation at the end of Smile. This act is witnessed by Joel, her ex-boyfriend, who is then cursed with the entity’s presence. There is no ambiguity about her fate.
Q2: Why does Rose choose to kill herself?
Rose believes that by killing herself in isolation, without allowing the entity an audience, she can break the chain of the curse. She incorrectly thinks that denying the entity the satisfaction of a witnessed traumatic death will stop the cycle. This is ultimately a manipulation by the entity itself.
Q3: Who gets the curse after Rose dies?
The curse is transferred to Joel, Rose’s ex-boyfriend and a police detective. He arrives at the cabin just as Rose is about to set herself on fire and witnesses her horrific death.
Q4: Is there a way to break the curse in Smile?
The film strongly suggests that the only way to break the curse is to pass it on to someone else by causing their traumatic death. Rose tries to circumvent this by isolating herself but ultimately fails, indicating the entity is perhaps uncheatable or the curse more complex than originally understood.
Q5: What does the smile signify in the movie?
The smile symbolizes the burden of trauma being passed from one victim to another. It’s a disturbing mask that hides immense suffering and perpetuates a cycle of violence. It also represents the entity’s malevolent joy in inflicting pain and fear.
Q6: Is Smile based on a true story?
No, Smile is not based on a true story. However, it draws inspiration from various themes related to mental illness, trauma, and the challenges of coping with past experiences, making it resonate with viewers on a deeper level.
Q7: What is the entity in Smile supposed to be?
The entity’s exact nature is never fully explained. It’s a supernatural force that feeds on trauma and psychological distress. It can manifest as different people, often those close to the victim, to inflict maximum emotional pain. Think of it as a parasitic demon of trauma.
Q8: Why is the movie called Smile?
The title is ironic. The “smile” is a disturbing and unnatural expression that signifies the entity’s presence and the impending doom of its victims. It’s a visual representation of the inner turmoil and suffering that the characters are experiencing.
Q9: Does the ending of Smile leave room for a sequel?
Yes, the ending of Smile clearly sets the stage for a sequel. The curse is now on Joel, and his struggle to survive and potentially break the cycle could be the focus of a follow-up film.
Q10: What are the main themes explored in Smile?
Smile primarily explores themes of trauma, mental illness, survivor’s guilt, and the cyclical nature of abuse. It delves into the challenges of confronting one’s past and the difficulties of escaping the grip of psychological distress.
Q11: Is Smile a good movie for people with a history of trauma?
This depends entirely on the individual. Smile can be a triggering movie for those with a history of trauma due to its graphic depictions of mental distress, suicide, and violence. It’s crucial to consider one’s own emotional state and triggers before watching the film.
Q12: What makes the ending of Smile so effective?
The effectiveness of the ending lies in its unflinching bleakness and its commitment to realism within a supernatural framework. It avoids the typical horror tropes of a happy ending and instead delivers a gut-wrenching conclusion that leaves the audience with a lingering sense of unease and prompts reflection on the pervasiveness of trauma.