Smile

At the end of “Smile,” Rose confronts the core of the curse, which is rooted in trauma and guilt. The entity feeding off these negative emotions manifests as a horrifying figure that takes the shape of her mother, symbolizing her past and unresolved guilt over her mother’s death. Rose, having decided to face her fears, fights back by rejecting the curse and acknowledging that her mother’s death was not her fault. She believes that by confronting the monster in her mind, she can break free. However, the curse feeds on trauma, and as Rose fights to free herself, the monster reveals its true form—an ever-smiling, terrifying creature that peels off its skin to reveal rows of gleaming teeth, symbolizing the destructive power of suppressed trauma. Despite her attempts to escape, the curse lures her back, trapping her in her old house. When Joel, her faithful friend, finally breaks in, he finds Rose trapped inside. Tragically, Rose is overwhelmed by the curse and chooses to end her life by setting herself on fire, effectively becoming yet another victim of the cycle of trauma and despair. Her death signifies that, in this fictional universe, the curse is endless and feeds on the pain of those who cannot find peace. The film leaves us with a haunting reminder that unresolved trauma and guilt can become a relentless force, and while hope seems lost, the story underscores the importance of seeking help and confronting one’s inner demons before they consume us completely. The curse’s purpose is to perpetuate itself through trauma, and it only ceases when its victims either die or pass the curse onto someone else through murder or suicide. Rose’s tragic end also hints that even in the face of the curse, the fight to heal emotionally remains vital, as her failure to do so ultimately leads to her destruction. The ending’s bleakness emphasizes the horror that mental health struggles can create when left unaddressed—reminding us that confronting pain is essential to breaking free from the cycle.

Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 08:44