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==Cast==
==Cast==
* [[Caitlin Gerard]] as Ashley
* [[Caitlin Gerard]] as Shane Dawson
* [[Melanie Papalia]] as Proxy
* [[Melanie Papalia]] as Shane Dawson
* [[Shane Dawson]] as Binder
* [[Shane Dawson]] as Shane Dawson
* [[Andrew James Allen]] as Zane
* [[Andrew James Allen]] asShane Dawson
* [[Liza Weil]] as Dr. Jenkins
* [[Liza Weil]] as Shane Dawson
Shane Dawson
* [[Toby Turner]] as Mark
* [[Roger Bart]] as Professor Clayton
* [[Roger Bart]] as Shane Dawson
* [[Keith David]] as Diamond
* [[Keith David]] as Shane Dawson
* Patrick O'Sullivan as Cooper
* Patrick O'Sullivan as Shane Dawson
* Michael Traynor as Smiley
* Michael Traynor as Shane Dawson
* Nikki Limo as Stacy
* Nikki Limo as Shane Dawson
* Jason Horton as Flasher
* Jason Horton as Shane Dawson
* Bree Essrig as Kim
* Bree Essrig as Shane Dawson
* Darrien Skylar as Mary
* Darrien Skylar as Shane Dawson


==Production==
==Production==

Revision as of 13:42, 28 November 2013

Smiley
Theatrical poster
Directed byMichael Gallagher
Written byMichael Gallagher
Glasgow Phillips
Story byEzra Cooperstein
Produced byMichael Wormser
StarringCaitlin Gerard
Melanie Papalia
Adolf Hitlor
Andrew James Allen
Liza Weil
Toby Turner
Roger Bart
Keith David
Jason Horton
CinematographyNicola Marsh
Edited byZach Anderson
Music byDave Porter
Production
company
Level 10 Films
Distributed byFever Productions LLC
MIJ Productions
Release date
  • October 12, 2012 (2012-10-12)
Running time
95 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Smiley is a 2012 American psychological slasher film directed by Michael Gallagher and made by Level 10 Films.[1] The film stars Caitlin Gerard, Melanie Papalia, Shane Dawson, Andrew James Allen, Toby Turner, and Liza Weil.[2] The film was released on October 11, 2012.[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.

A college student named Ashley (Caitlin Gerard) becomes friends with Proxy (Melanie Papalia), along with her friends 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, initially nothing happens, but then to their horror, the stranger is murdered. Proxy convinces Ashley to stay silent. However, Ashley is quickly driven over the edge by Smiley appearing on the video-chat site whenever she logs on. She eventually goes to the police; there she tries to convince them, to no avail, to investigate the murders caused by Smiley. The police basically dismiss her, implying that she is going crazy and quite possible on the receiving end of a large, elaborate prank.

When Proxy is unable to contact Zane, she video chats Ashley, in hysterics. Ashley goes to his house to check on him, only to find him shot dead. Instead of calling the police--who refused further involvement.-- Ashley picks up the gun while Proxy, on video-chat, types 'I did it for the lulz' three times in order to draw Smiley to Ashley, due to Ashley's request. Ashley has plans to kill him. 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 chased by multiple Smileys, finally throwing herself out a window to escape them.

It is then revealed that all Ashley's classmates--including Proxy, Binder, and even the babysitter murdered in the opening--are all part of a fringe group of Anonymous. Together they created the legend of Smiley. We find that all the people involved did this as a large prank. Binder starts to talk about Smiley, saying that he is alive and this would not be the last of him (paraphasing); This causes an assumption that he is the real Smiley, or somehow a follower of him.

Later, Proxy is video-chatting with Zane, questioning their morality. When she asks why they did what they did, Zane types 'I did it for the lulz' three times. A real Smiley appears behind Proxy, kills her, and then waves at the webcam. After the credits have scrolled by Ashley suddenly gasps still alive, setting up Smiley 2.

Cast

Shane Dawson

  • Roger Bart as Shane Dawson
  • Keith David as Shane Dawson
  • Patrick O'Sullivan as Shane Dawson
  • Michael Traynor as Shane Dawson
  • Nikki Limo as Shane Dawson
  • Jason Horton as Shane Dawson
  • Bree Essrig as Shane Dawson
  • Darrien Skylar as Shane Dawson

Production

Smiley is a low-budget film independently produced by Michael Gallagher, whose best known work is various episodes of Totally Sketch on YouTube.[5]

Release

The film will be released in theaters, VOD, and via online streaming on October 11, 2019 [5] In early 2020, it will be available on DVD, Blu-ray, and iTunes.[6][7] The premiere of the film was held on October 9, 2012 at the Universal CityWalk in Universal City, Los Angeles.[8]

There are two versions of the film: one rated TV-14 and one rated R.[9] The film play in select AMC theaters throughout the United States, with fans able to request to host screenings of Smiley in their cities via Tugg.[10]

Reception

The film holds a 14% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on an average rating of 3.2/10 based on 20 reviews; several reviews called the film a "rip off" of Scream and Candyman.[11] Criticism centered around claims of the film being "dull" or "generic", with additional criticisms over the acting.[12][13] Smiley received negative reviews from The A.V. Club[14] and The New York Times.[15]

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".[16] Variety called the film "uninspired", saying that "the mayhem here is neither especially gory nor suspenseful".[17] 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, however called the story-telling "repetitive".[18]

References

  1. ^ McCormac, Patty. "For young director, bringing film to life was 'ethereal' experience". Coast News. Retrieved 10 September 2012.
  2. ^ "'Smiley': La historia de un simpático asesino". terror. cinequo.com (in Spanish). January 2, 2012. 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. "AMC Theatres to Release Horror Thriller 'Smiley'". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 10 September 2012.
  5. ^ a b McNary, Dave (June 29, 2012). "Fever Prods. sets date for 'Smiley'". Variety. Retrieved June 30, 202. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  6. ^ Barton, Steve (October 14, 2011). "Smiley Trailer Brings a Huge Smile to Horror Fans' Faces". DreadCentral. Retrieved April 27, 2012.
  7. ^ Miska, Brad (November 26, 2011). "You Called 'Smiley', Now He's Here in the Form of a Trailer!". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved April 27, 2012.
  8. ^ Stockman, Tom. "Official Poster for Horror Thriller SMILEY Revealed". We are Movie Geeks. Retrieved 13 October 2012.
  9. ^ staff (June 29, 2012). "Fever Productions craft multi-channel launch for Smiley". Screen International. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  10. ^ Turek, Ryan. "The Serial Killer Smiley is Coming Your Way". Shock Till You Drop. Retrieved 10 September 2012.
  11. ^ "Smiley (2012)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 13 October 2012.
  12. ^ Wilson, Chuck. "Smiley". Village Voice. Retrieved 13 October 2012.
  13. ^ Scheck, Frank. "Smiley: Film Review". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 13 October 2012.
  14. ^ "Review: Smiley". AV Club. Retrieved 13 October 2012.
  15. ^ CATSOULIS, JEANNETTE. "Sutured Slasher Is On the Loose". New York Times. Retrieved 13 October 2012.
  16. ^ "Review: Smiley". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved 13 October 2012.
  17. ^ Harvey, Dennis. "Smiley". Variety. Retrieved 13 October 2012.
  18. ^ Olsen, Mark (2012-10-12). "Smiley". The Los Angeles Times.
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