Parker Finn

Parker Finn
Finn in 2024
Born (1987-03-18) March 18, 1987
Bath, Ohio, U.S.
Occupations
  • Film director
  • producer
  • screenwriter
Years active2018–present
Notable workSmile
Smile 2

Parker J. Finn (born March 18, 1987) is an American filmmaker. He is best known for creating the Smile franchise. He wrote and directed the horror films Smile (2022) and its sequel Smile 2 (2024).

Early life

Finn was born on March 18, 1987, in Bath, Ohio.[1][2] He attended the University of Colorado Boulder, then attended Chapman University's Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, where he received a screenwriting MFA in 2011.[3][4]

Career

In 2018, Finn wrote and directed the horror short film The Hidebehind, which screened at Panic Fest and the Portland Horror Film Festival in 2019.[5][6]

In 2020, Finn wrote and directed the horror short film Laura Hasn't Slept, which was filmed at Chapman University Dodge College of Film and Media Arts' Stage B. The short won the Special Jury Award at SXSW 2020.[4]

In 2022, Finn made his feature film directorial debut with the horror film Smile, which was based on his short film Laura Hasn't Slept (2020).[7] The film premiered at Fantastic Fest on September 22, 2022, and was released in the United States on September 30, 2022 by Paramount Pictures. It became 2022's top grossing original horror film and spawned a franchise.[8]

In 2023, Finn entered a multi-year first-look deal with Paramount Pictures to write, produce, and direct additional feature films.[8] That same year, he founded the production company Bad Feeling.[9]

In 2024, it was announced that Finn would write and direct the horror film Possession, a remake of the 1981 film.[10] It is scheduled to be released in the United States on June 11, 2027 by Paramount Pictures. Later that year, Finn wrote and directed Smile 2, which was released in the United States on October 18, 2024 by Paramount Pictures.[11]

Filmography

Short film

Year Title Director Writer Producer
2018 The Hidebehind Yes Yes No
2020 Laura Hasn't Slept Yes Yes Yes

Feature film

Key
† Denotes productions that have not yet been released
Year Title Director Writer Producer Notes
2022 Smile Yes Yes No Film directorial debut
2024 Smile 2 Yes Yes Yes
2027 Possession † Yes Yes Yes Filming

Acting roles

Year Title Role Notes
2024 Smile 2 Photographer
2025 The Studio Himself Episode: "The War"

References

  1. ↑ Thomas, George. "Filmmaker Parker Finn, a Bath native, hopes to scare people with his 'Smile'". Akron Beacon Journal. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
  2. ↑ Benson, John (September 29, 2022). "Bath native and horror filmmaker Parker Finn discusses feature debut, 'Smile'". Cleveland.com. Archived from the original on October 17, 2022. Retrieved October 20, 2022.
  3. ↑ Arp, Dennis (November 29, 2022). "As His Debut Feature Surpasses $200 Million, Parker Finn (MFA '11) Has Lots of Reasons to 'Smile'". Chapman University. Chapman University Newsroom. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
  4. 1 2 Betz, Izzy (September 30, 2022). "Smile: Parker Finn Finding His "True North"". Chapman University. Retrieved October 20, 2022.
  5. ↑ Casady, Megan (January 30, 2019). "Panic Fest Short Film Review: THE HIDEBEHIND (2018)". Nightmarish Conjurings. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
  6. ↑ Hawkins, Andrew (June 11, 2019). "Interview: Parker Finn on 'The Hidebehind'". Trouble City. Archived from the original on June 20, 2023. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
  7. ↑ Navarro, Meagan (September 30, 2022). "'Smile' Writer/Director Parker Finn on the Film's Practical Effects and Horror Influences". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved October 20, 2022.
  8. 1 2 Lang, Brent (March 15, 2023). "Paramount Signs First-Look Deal With 'Smile' Writer and Director Parker Finn". Variety. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
  9. ↑ Kit, Borys (October 4, 2023). "'Smile' Filmmaker Parker Finn Launches Genre Production Banner Bad Feeling (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  10. ↑ Kit, Borys (June 12, 2024). "Robert Pattinson, 'Smile' Filmmaker Parker Finn Team for Remake of '80s Horror Movie 'Possession' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on June 12, 2024. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
  11. ↑ Fuge, Jonathan (April 27, 2023). "Smile 2 Officially Announced by Paramount at CinemaCon". MovieWeb. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
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