Happy Face
Happy Face

Movie spotlight

Happy Face

2018
Movie
100 min
English

Montreal 1992 —Estranged from his cancer-stricken mother, Stan, a quixotic 19-year-old, dons a disguise and joins a therapy workshop for disfigured patients in a misguided attempt to reconnect with her.

Insights

IMDb5.8/10
Director: Brandon CronenbergGenres: Short, Drama, Horror

Plot Summary

A man attends a workshop designed to help him confront and overcome his deepest fears. However, the intense and unconventional methods employed lead him down a disturbing path of self-discovery and psychological unraveling. The workshop's leader, a charismatic figure, pushes participants to their absolute limits, blurring the lines between healing and torment. As the sessions progress, the protagonist finds himself increasingly detached from reality, questioning his sanity and the true purpose of the program.

Critical Reception

Happy Face received attention for its unsettling atmosphere and disturbing themes, often cited as a promising early work from director Brandon Cronenberg, showcasing his penchant for body horror and psychological intensity. While its short runtime limits deep character exploration, it was generally praised for its effective mood and disturbing imagery.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its unsettling atmosphere and Cronenberg's signature brand of disturbing imagery.

  • Noted as an effective, albeit brief, exploration of psychological horror and fear.

  • Appreciated for its ambition and the unsettling performance from its lead.

Google audience: Information on specific Google user reviews and their sentiments for this short film is not readily available.

Fun Fact

This short film served as a notable early work for director Brandon Cronenberg, showcasing themes and stylistic elements that would become hallmarks of his later feature films.

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