What to watch: Let’s put a ‘Smile’ on that face

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It’s been the month of the grotesque grin.
In early October, Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker clown face returned to theaters, Art the Clown wore an eerie rictus all the way to box-office gold a week ago, and now another “Smile” is giving us chills. “Smile 2” features the return of an evil presence that freaks out its victims – and audience members – with the creepiest smiling folks imaginable. Those who need a good popcorn flick need to check that out, though Anna Kendrick’s directorial debut, the Netflix true-life thriller “Woman of the Hour,” or “Young Sheldon” spinoff “Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage” might be more your jam.
Now on to the good stuff:
The first “Smile” was a hit in 2022 but I was sort of meh on it. (“Truth or Dare” did the wicked grin better.) The sequel, though? Now that is a good horror movie, with much better scares and an effective emotional story of a pop star (excellently played by Naomi Scott) already navigating tour stress and past trauma before a dark presence attaches itself to her. Because of its musical leanings – and the fact that horror always attracts kids – “Smile 2” will appeal to a young following, and I put together a guide of what parents need to know about the film. Because it is sufficiently gory.
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Not everybody, even adults, is into rampant dismemberments and blood and guts strewn everywhere. I put together a roundup of horror flicks for people who don’t like horror flicks, and some fun gateway outings for the kiddos, so everyone can get into the Halloween spirit.
We know she can act – the first “Pitch Perfect” still plays, fam – but Anna Kendrick proves to be a solid filmmaker, too, with her confident debut “Woman of the Hour” (streaming now on Netflix). The 1970s-set thriller follows an aspiring actress (Kendrick) hired to be a contestant on “The Dating Game,” a serial killer (Daniel Zovatto) who winds up being one of her potential bachelors, and the audience member (Nicolette Robinson) who recognizes him from her past.
My bud Marco della Cava interviewed Kendrick about her movie, which was based on a true story that “enraged” her, and she talked about how “Woman” reflects the dangerous power imbalance between sexes that still exists: “How did we go from having a really pleasant interaction between a woman and man to me wondering suddenly if I’m even safe?”
Who knew a sitcom about a friend group of scientists who went to the comic book store a lot would one day lead to a whole expansive TV universe? “The Big Bang Theory” spawned the prequel “Young Sheldon” that now begets the new spinoff “Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage.” The show focuses on the relationship between Sheldon Cooper’s older brother Georgie (Montana Jordan) and wife Mandy (Emily Osment). My colleague Bryan Alexander took home some scoop from a recent set visit, including the fun fact that scenes with the tiny actors who play the couple’s baby girl CeeCee are filmed away from the studio audience. “Hell, I’m a grown man and sometimes I feel like crying when I see 180 people looking at me,” Jordan says.
The premiere is now streaming on Paramount+, as is the first episode back for the fourth season of the supernatural comedy “Ghosts,” which features new cast members (Mary Holland and Dean Norris) and a couple of upcoming holiday specials.
Got thoughts, questions, ideas, concerns, compliments or maybe even some recs for me? Email [email protected] and follow me on the socials: I’m @briantruitt on Twitter (not calling it X!), Instagram and Threads.