Smile Before Death
Il sorriso della iena
After the death of her mother under strange circumstances, a teenage girl quickly begins to suspect that her recently widowed stepfather may be involved.
Why it matters
A simmering Giallo-inflected thriller that blends familial dread with the era’s signature stylized suspense.
- Early 70s Euro horror with that unmistakable haze of paranoia and twisted psychology.
- Spotlights the uneasy terrain of stepfamily dynamics as a source of creeping menace.
- A slow burn that favors mood and shadow over outright gore, perfect for fans of Argento’s quieter moments.
- Not a polished masterpiece, but its rough edges add to the unsettling, dreamlike quality.
Director
2 horror films in catalog
Cast
Horror DNA
Gore
0
Slow Burn
33
Psychological
43
Supernatural
0
Creature
0
Disturbing
33
Fun Factor
0
Cerebral
14
Survival
0
