This modern horror classic is finally free to stream in time for Halloween ‣ Diverse Daily

I’m a sucker when it comes to watching horror movies. It doesn’t matter what time of year it is; I’m always open to enjoying a good scary flick, so I’m grateful that streaming services like Pluto TV offer so many of them for free. This month, Pluto TV added a modern horror classic to its selection: director Parker Finn’s hit film Smile.

The movie follows Rose Cotton, a therapist who witnesses a patient die in front of her; she then becomes tormented by visions of a smiling, shapeshifting entity that threatens to kill her as well. It’s a simple but emotional horror story elevated by some terrifying imagery, twists, and jump scares. This made Smile one of the best horror movies of the decade, witha 79% “Certified Fresh” rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes. It even did well enough to garner a sequel, with another on the way.

It’s almost Halloween, and everyone is entitled to one good scare. Smile will be sure to deliver now that it’s available on Pluto TV.

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Smile is a classic horror story told frighteningly well

A terrifying, top-notch debut for Parker Finn

Smile starts out strong with a poor woman seeking the protagonist’s help as a supernatural entity threatens to possess and kill her. However, it is already too late for her, and Rose becomes the entity’s next target after witnessing her patient’s death. Pretty soon, our unfortunate hero can’t tell who is real and what is an illusion created by this shapeshifting monster.

Smile is the kind of story you’ve seen in modern horror films like It Follows and The Ring. However, it isn’t just a derivative film based on a cheap gimmick. It tells a deeper story about the inescapable, cyclical nature of trauma as it gets passed down by those who witness and experience such horrifying events.

As Rose tries to beat her curse and escape death, she is forced to confront her own traumatic childhood and unresolved guilt over her mother’s death. It all builds to a literally jaw-dropping finale that delivers some grotesque body horror and a heartbreaking conclusion.

Smile is free on Pluto TV

Once you stream this film, you’ll never forget it

For September, Pluto TV added Smile to its digital library, along with nearly 250 other films, according to Cord Cutter News. Since this is an ad-supported platform, you won’t have to pay or sign up for anything in order to watch Smile. You will have to watch some commercials during the film, and Pluto TV doesn’t offer any ad-free subscription.

But if you’re into horror movies as much as I am, a few ads shouldn’t scare you away from Pluto TV. You can easily stream the film from your web browser. You can also watch it from the Pluto TV app on most phones, tablets, streaming devices, or smart TVs.

What else is on Pluto TV?

Stream new and classic horror gems for free

Credit: Pluto TV / Pocket-lint

If you still have a hankering for more horror after Smile, Pluto TV has got you covered. The platform has added several must-see scary movies this month, including Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Jennifer’s Body, Pet Sematary, Relic, and The Witch. Other noteworthy films already on Pluto TV include Terrifier 2, 10 Cloverfield Lane, Hellraiser, Mandy, and You’re Next.

There’s virtually zero shortage of scary movies this September, which should put a smile on any horror fan’s face. Whatever you choose to stream this month, Smile should be somewhere high on your watchlist. Parker Finn and his team go above and beyond the film’s basic premise to deliver a chilling, resounding nightmare with some clever scares, haunting music, and an insightful, emotional narrative.