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Smiley (2012 film)

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Smiley
Theatrical release poster
Directed byMichael Gallagher
Screenplay by
  • Glasgow Phillips
  • Michael Gallagher
Produced byMichael Wormser
Starring
CinematographyNicola B. Marsh
Edited byZach Anderson
Music byDave Porter
Production
companies
MJG Productions
Level 10 Films
Distributed byFever Productions LLC
Release date
  • October 12, 2012 (2012-10-12) (United States)
Running time
95 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Smiley is a 2012 American slasher film directed by Michael Gallagher, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Glasgow Phillips.[1] The film stars Caitlin Gerard, Melanie Papalia, Shane Dawson, Andrew James Allen, Liza Weil, Roger Bart, and Keith David.[2] The film was released on October 12, 2012, to largely negative reviews.[3][4]

Plot

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The titular Smiley killer is the subject of an Internet myth. Supposedly, if a person types "I did it for the lulz" three times on a Chatroulette-style website, a killer called Smiley (who had his eyes stitched shut and his mouth carved into a smile) will murder the person the user is talking to before the user themselves.

College students Ashley and Proxy are roommates. At a party, Ashley meets Zane, Mark, and Binder.

One night, Ashley and Proxy test out the Smiley myth with a random person. After typing "I did it for the lulz" three times, they witness the stranger's murder. Proxy convinces Ashley to stay silent. However, Ashley begins experiencing guilt, and believes Smiley is stalking her and intends to kill her, which her friends and a psychiatrist write off as anxious hallucinations and nightmares. Ashley eventually tries to convince the police to investigate the murders caused by Smiley. The police dismisses her.

When Proxy loses contact with Zane, she video chats Ashley in hysterics. Ashley goes to Zane's house only to find him shot dead with his own handgun. Ashley picks up the gun and orders Proxy to type "I did it for the lulz" three times, hoping to summon and kill Smiley. However, she accidentally shoots Binder, who had come over to check on her. Moments later, Smiley appears and slits Binder's throat. Ashley is then attacked by multiple Smileys before throwing herself out to her supposed death.

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 Anonymous. They created the Smiley myth as a large-scale prank, although they are satisfied with Ashley's death. Binder states that Smiley will likely live on long after them and inspire copycat killings.

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 Smiley appears behind Proxy, kills her, and then waves at Zane via webcam as he watches on in horror.

In a post-credits scene, Ashley wakes up and gasps loudly, having survived her fall.

Cast

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Production and release

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Gallagher began working on Smiley after performing in some episodes of the Totally Sketch series on YouTube.[5] As he was producing the film himself, Smiley had a small budget and Gallagher was active in various different parts of the film such as advertising and seeking MPAA approval.[6] Gallagher initially debated using stockings with a smiley face painted on it as Smiley's mask, but discarded the idea because it "just wasn't scary enough".[7] He chose to go with the final mask after imagining a "guy who stitched an emoticon into his own face and thought, 'Wow, that's really creepy.'"[7] Theatrical rights for the film were purchased by AMC Theatres who gave the film a limited screening on their independent platform on October 12, 2012.[8][9][10]

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

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Prior to the film's official theatrical release, Gallagher and his family began receiving threats from people alleging to be from 4chan and Anonymous.[6] Personal information for Gallagher, his family, and anyone that had worked on Smiley was posted online with the recommendation that people use it to harass them.[12] In an interview with Fearnet, Gallagher stated that the site had posted the information as part of "Operation Fuck Smiley" and that "Their goal was to spoil the end of the movie, post pornography and gore on any website that talks about it, rate the movie really low... it was this horrible vendetta, like they wanted to destroy it because we talked about 4chan in the movie."[12] The validity of these claims were questioned by Cole Strycker, author of Epic Win for Anonymous, who expressed suspicion that Gallagher was trying to use the death threats as a publicity stunt to promote the film.[6][13] In response, Gallagher asserted that the death threats were real and were not being used as a publicity stunt.[6]

Reception

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The film received largely negative reviews and holds an 17% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on an average rating of 3.6/10 based on 24 reviews; several reviews called the film a "rip off" of Scream and Candyman.[14] Criticism centered on claims of the film being "dull" or "generic", with additional criticisms over the acting performances and lack of originality.[15][16] Smiley also received negative reviews from The A.V. Club[17] and The New York Times.[18]

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

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  1. ^ McCormac, Patty. "For young director, bringing film to life was 'ethereal' experience". Coast News. Retrieved September 10, 2012.
  2. ^ "'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.
  3. ^ Barton, Steve (November 26, 2011). "Smiley Happily Slashes His Way to Your Heart". DreadCentral. Retrieved April 27, 2012.
  4. ^ Kilday, Greg (27 August 2012). "AMC Theatres to Release Horror Thriller 'Smiley'". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 10, 2012.
  5. ^ McNary, Dave (June 29, 2012). "Fever Prods. sets date for 'Smiley'". Variety. Retrieved July 31, 2015.
  6. ^ a b c d Houston, Shannon (12 October 2012). "Michael Gallagher, Director of the Controversial New Film Smiley". Paste Magazine. Retrieved February 21, 2014.
  7. ^ a b "Exclusive Interview: Writer/Director Michael Gallagher Talks Smiley, Sequel Plans and More". Dread Central. 13 February 2013. Retrieved February 21, 2014.
  8. ^ Kay, Jeremy. "AMC Theatres, Fever Productions to release horror film Smiley". Screen Daily. Retrieved February 21, 2014.
  9. ^ Barton, Steve (October 14, 2011). "Smiley Trailer Brings a Huge Smile to Horror Fans' Faces". DreadCentral. Retrieved April 27, 2012.
  10. ^ Miska, Brad (November 26, 2011). "You Called 'Smiley', Now He's Here in the Form of a Trailer!". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved April 27, 2012.
  11. ^ Turek, Ryan. "The Serial Killer Smiley is Coming Your Way". Shock Till You Drop. Retrieved September 10, 2012.
  12. ^ a b Wax, Alyse. "Exclusive: We Talk Trolls and Death Threats With 'Smiley' Director Michael Gallagher". Fearnet. Retrieved February 21, 2014.
  13. ^ "Michael Gallagher Says 4Chan Sent Death Threats About Horror Flick". Huffington Post. 9 October 2012. Retrieved February 21, 2014.
  14. ^ "Smiley (2012)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved October 13, 2012.
  15. ^ Wilson, Chuck. "Smiley". Village Voice. Retrieved October 13, 2012.
  16. ^ Scheck, Frank (11 October 2012). "Smiley: Film Review". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 13, 2012.
  17. ^ "Review: Smiley". AV Club. 11 October 2012. Archived from the original on October 13, 2012. Retrieved October 13, 2012.
  18. ^ Catsoulis, Jeannette (12 October 2012). "Sutured Slasher Is On the Loose". New York Times. Retrieved October 13, 2012.
  19. ^ "Review: Smiley". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved October 13, 2012.
  20. ^ Harvey, Dennis (10 October 2012). "Smiley". Variety. Retrieved October 13, 2012.
  21. ^ Olsen, Mark (October 11, 2012). "Review: 'Smiley' an Internet Age horror film". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 31, 2015.
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