The ending of Smile sees Dr. Rose Cotter, seemingly having broken the chain of trauma, realize she was ultimately unsuccessful in escaping the curse. In a harrowing final scene, she is possessed by the entity and sets herself ablaze in front of her ex-boyfriend, Joel, ensuring the curse continues with him as the new host.
Unraveling the Ending: A Descent into Trauma
Smile‘s conclusion is intentionally bleak and deeply unsettling, leaving audiences grappling with the nature of trauma, mental illness, and the seemingly inescapable cycle of suffering. The film’s strength lies not just in its scares, but in its willingness to explore uncomfortable truths about the human condition.
Rose’s journey throughout the film is a desperate attempt to understand and conquer the entity that latched onto her after witnessing a patient’s horrifying suicide. She believes that by confronting her own past trauma, particularly the suicide of her mother, she can somehow break the curse. She even manages to kill the physical manifestation of the entity in her childhood home.
However, the climax reveals this was all a carefully constructed illusion. The entity feeds on despair and isolation. Rose’s attempt to break free only made her more vulnerable. The entity waited for a moment of perceived victory, shattering her hope and forcing her to carry the burden onto Joel. The final act of self-immolation ensures the curse continues, leaving Joel trapped in the horrifying cycle she had desperately tried to escape. The film ends with Joel’s horrified expression, mirroring Rose’s own at the beginning, signifying the transfer of the curse.
Thematic Significance and Interpretation
The ending isn’t just a simple jump scare. It reinforces the film’s central themes:
- The cyclical nature of trauma: The curse is passed from person to person, echoing how trauma can be passed down through generations.
- The weight of unresolved grief: Rose’s inability to process her mother’s suicide makes her susceptible to the entity’s influence.
- The illusion of control: Rose believes she can outsmart the curse, but ultimately, it’s the entity that’s in control.
- Mental illness and societal stigma: The film subtly touches on the stigma surrounding mental illness, with Rose’s experiences reflecting the challenges faced by those struggling with mental health issues. Her claims are initially dismissed or rationalized by others.
The ending, therefore, isn’t just a plot twist; it’s a thematic culmination of the film’s exploration of these complex issues. It highlights the insidious nature of trauma and how it can consume individuals, leaving them trapped in a cycle of despair. The visual of the grotesque smile reinforces the idea that the curse is a manifestation of inner torment and suffering.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Smile‘s Ending
Here are some frequently asked questions about the ending of Smile, providing further insights and clarifying key plot points:
H3 Why couldn’t Rose break the curse?
Rose believed she could break the curse by confronting her trauma, specifically her mother’s suicide. However, the entity likely manipulated her into thinking she had succeeded. The entity feeds on isolation and despair. In the moment she thought she was victorious, it was able to seize control. The film suggests that the entity is far more powerful and cunning than Rose initially realized, and perhaps any perceived success was orchestrated to maximize her eventual suffering. The core issue was likely her unresolved trauma and her inherent vulnerability.
H3 What does the smile symbolize?
The smile isn’t a sign of happiness; it’s a twisted, grotesque mask representing inner torment, despair, and the entity’s control. It’s a visual manifestation of the suffering that the infected person is experiencing and the inevitable horrifying fate that awaits them. The unnatural, exaggerated smile emphasizes the disjunction between outward appearance and inner reality.
H3 Is Joel now cursed?
Yes, definitively. The final scene clearly shows Rose self-immolating in front of Joel, thereby transferring the curse to him. His horrified expression mirrors the initial victim’s, signaling that the curse has taken hold. The curse is designed to be passed on, and Rose’s final act ensures its continuation.
H3 Could Rose have done anything differently to survive?
That’s a central question the movie poses. While Rose tried to confront her trauma, the entity seemed to anticipate her moves. Perhaps, complete isolation and avoiding any connection with others might have delayed the inevitable, but the film’s bleak outlook suggests the entity is relentless. Whether escape was truly possible is left ambiguous, fueling the film’s pessimistic outlook. Ultimately, the film suggests that the entity is an almost insurmountable force.
H3 What was the significance of the childhood home?
The childhood home represents the epicenter of Rose’s trauma related to her mother’s suicide and her own feelings of neglect and guilt. The entity uses this location to amplify her fears and vulnerabilities, ultimately trapping her in a physical and emotional space where she is most susceptible to its influence. The dilapidated state of the house mirrors the decaying state of Rose’s mental health.
H3 Did Rose’s therapy sessions help her at all?
While Rose sought help through therapy, the film suggests that talk therapy alone wasn’t enough to combat the supernatural curse. The therapist’s attempts to rationalize Rose’s experiences highlight the limitations of conventional methods in the face of the inexplicable. The film doesn’t completely dismiss the value of therapy, but it shows its inadequacy in addressing a deeply rooted, supernatural threat. The curse required a different kind of solution, one that Rose ultimately couldn’t find.
H3 Was the entity a demon or something else entirely?
The film never explicitly defines the entity’s origin or nature. It could be interpreted as a demon, a supernatural force feeding on trauma, or even a manifestation of collective human suffering. Its ambiguity adds to the film’s unsettling atmosphere and allows for multiple interpretations. The lack of concrete explanation heightens the fear and mystery surrounding the entity.
H3 Why didn’t Rose tell Joel about the curse sooner?
Rose hesitated to tell Joel about the curse initially because she feared disbelief and judgment, mirroring her experiences with other people. She likely wanted to protect him, but her silence ultimately contributed to his eventual involvement and tragic fate. Her hesitation reflects the societal stigma around mental illness and the fear of being perceived as unstable. Her desire to protect him ironically led to his downfall.
H3 What happens after Smile’s ending? What is Joel did not pass it on?
If Joel doesn’t pass the curse on, he dies. The entity will find another person to torment if there is no one to pass it onto. It thrives off trauma, and it is always looking for its next victim. He’ll have a limited amount of time before he dies in a gruesome and spectacular way. If the chain is broken, the host will die and then the Entity will find someone new to target.
H3 Is there going to be a Smile 2?
Yes, a Smile 2 is confirmed and is currently in development. While the plot details are scarce, it is rumored to follow a similar formula to the first film. The sequel provides an opportunity to explore the mythology of the entity further and potentially offer a glimmer of hope, or delve even deeper into the darkness. The audience has spoken, and Smile has been greenlit for a second act.
H3 How can I cope if Smile‘s ending disturbed me?
Smile‘s ending is designed to be disturbing, and it’s natural to feel uneasy after watching it. It is not uncommon for those with mental health struggles to feel uneasy after watching the movie. Talking to friends, family, or a therapist about your feelings can be helpful. Remember that it’s a fictional story, and focusing on the positive aspects of your own life can help alleviate any lingering anxiety. Also be aware that the movie can bring up personal traumas, so being mindful of this can help you to address potential issues that watching the movie may have stirred up. Do not be afraid to speak with a mental health professional if necessary.
H3 Is the curse real?
No, the curse depicted in Smile is a fictional construct created for the purpose of entertainment and thematic exploration. While the film touches on real-world issues like trauma and mental illness, the supernatural element is purely a work of fiction. Therefore, you can rest assured that you are not in danger of being infected by the curse. The movie is a piece of creative fiction and does not represent any real supernatural elements.