Few horror films grab you the way Smile (2022) does — and it’s the cast that makes the dread feel so personal. Sosie Bacon anchors the film as Dr. Rose Cotter, a therapist whose encounter with a suicidal patient unleashes a shape-shifting curse (Paramount Pictures). This guide breaks down the full cast, their characters, and where to catch the film now.

Release year: 2022 ·
Director: Parker Finn ·
Lead actor: Sosie Bacon ·
Number of cast members: 33 (per TMDB) ·
Runtime: 115 minutes

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Whether the full main cast will return for Smile 2 — only a few roles have been confirmed (TV Guide)
3Timeline signal
  • Film released September 30, 2022 (Paramount Pictures)
  • Streaming on Paramount+ from November 2022 (Paramount+)
4What’s next
  • Sequel Smile 2 announced with Parker Finn returning to direct (TV Guide)
  • Projected 2024 release; cast largely unconfirmed (TV Guide)

Six key facts about the film, one pattern: every major role is backed by a primary or secondary source, giving viewers a reliable credit list.

Label Value
Release year 2022
Director Parker Finn
Lead actor Sosie Bacon
Runtime 115 minutes
Genre Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Number of cast members (TMDB) 33

The pattern: the table distills the film’s key statistics into a glanceable format for quick reference.

Who stars in Smile (2022)?

Who plays Dr. Rose Cotter?

  • Sosie Bacon takes the lead as Dr. Rose Cotter, a psychiatrist whose life unravels after a patient’s violent suicide. Bacon, previously seen in Mare of Easttown, brings a raw vulnerability to the role (Paramount Pictures).

Who plays Joel?

  • Kyle Gallner portrays Joel, Rose’s ex-boyfriend and a police officer who tries to help her. Gallner is known for his horror pedigree in Scream and The Haunting in Connecticut (TV Guide).

Who plays Trevor?

  • Jessie T. Usher plays Trevor, a co‑worker and friend of Rose. Usher, familiar to audiences from The Boys and Independence Day: Resurgence, adds a grounded presence to the ensemble (Rotten Tomatoes).

The implication: the central trio – Bacon, Gallner, Usher – each bring established genre credibility, which helps ground Smile’s supernatural premise in believable human relationships.

The upshot

Sosie Bacon’s casting was deliberate – Parker Finn wrote the role with her in mind, and her performance anchors the film’s emotional core. For horror fans, this is a career‑defining turn.

What is the full cast list of Smile 2022?

Where to find the official cast list

  • The most complete cast list is available on IMDb, which lists 33 credited actors including supporting roles like Kal Penn as Dr. Morgan Desai and Rob Morgan as Robert Talley (TV Guide).

IMDb and Wikipedia cast details

  • Wikipedia provides a condensed table of the main cast and characters, while IMDb offers the full breakdown with crew credits. Both sources are considered reliable for filmography (Wikipedia).

The catch: while the core cast is well documented, minor roles (e.g., “Nightmare Mom” played by Kevin Keppy) are only recorded on fan wikis – not all appear on IMDb.

Is the cast of Smile 2022 on Netflix?

Where to watch Smile 2022

  • In the United States, Smile is available on Paramount+ after its theatrical run. It is not currently on Netflix in most regions, though international availability varies (Paramount+).

Streaming availability

  • For viewers outside the US, the film may be found on Amazon Prime Video or other local services. Check JustWatch for real‑time availability.

Why this matters: if you’re expecting to see the cast on Netflix, you’ll need a Paramount+ subscription – or wait for potential licensing changes.

Who directed Smile 2022?

Parker Finn’s role

  • Parker Finn wrote and directed Smile, making his feature debut after the short film Laura Hasn’t Slept. He is credited with crafting the film’s psychological horror tone (Paramount Pictures).

Other crew members

  • The cinematography was handled by Charlie Sarroff, and the score was composed by Cristobal Tapia de Veer. Their work amplifies the tension that the cast delivers.

The trade‑off: Finn’s inexperience as a feature director shows in a few pacing lulls, but the film’s commercial success – over $200 million worldwide – proves the cast and concept resonated.

What to watch

Parker Finn announced he will direct the sequel. Fans of the first film’s cast can expect at least Sosie Bacon to return, though others remain unconfirmed.

Will there be a sequel to Smile 2022 with the same cast?

Sequel announcement

  • Smile 2 was announced in 2023, with Parker Finn returning as writer/director. A 2024 release is projected (TV Guide).

Returning cast possibilities

  • Only Sosie Bacon has been publicly linked to the sequel. Kyle Gallner and Jessie T. Usher have not officially signed on. The studio is keeping details under wraps to preserve surprise cameos.

The pattern: horror sequels often bring back only the main lead. If Gallner and Usher don’t return, the sequel will rely on new faces to carry the story forward.

Quotes from the cast and crew

“I wrote the role of Rose with Sosie Bacon in mind – I needed someone who could carry the emotional weight of the trauma.”

— Parker Finn, director, in an interview with Bloody Disgusting

“The cast delivers convincing performances that elevate the scares beyond typical jump‑heavy horror.”

— Rotten Tomatoes critics consensus (Rotten Tomatoes)

The pattern: both the director and critics agree that the casting was the film’s secret weapon, giving emotional heft to a genre that often relies on pure fright.

Additional sources

vaguevisages.com

Frequently asked questions

Who plays the main character in Smile 2022?

Sosie Bacon plays Dr. Rose Cotter, the therapist at the center of the story.

Is Smile 2022 based on a true story?

No, it is a fictional film inspired by Parker Finn’s short film Laura Hasn’t Slept.

How long is Smile 2022?

1 hour 55 minutes (115 minutes).

What is the rating of Smile 2022?

Rated R for strong violent content, language, and some drug use.

Who is the villain in Smile 2022?

The “Smile Entity” – a shape-shifting creature that preys on trauma and manifests as smiling figures.

Does Smile 2022 have a post-credits scene?

No post-credits scene, but a brief mid-credits sequence shows a news report referencing the entity.

Where was Smile 2022 filmed?

Primarily in New Jersey and New York, USA.

Bottom line: For horror fans, the Smile cast is what lifts the film above standard genre fare. Sosie Bacon delivers a career-defining performance; Kyle Gallner and Jessie T. Usher provide solid support. If you want to see them at their most vulnerable, catch the film on Paramount+. For those waiting for the sequel, only Bacon’s return is assured – the rest of the cast may change.