Fans of horror movies are embracing a challenging task that lasts seven minutes in order to access some complimentary film scenes.
Going to the cinema can be quite costly, very costly in fact.
It’s common to hear jokes about needing a mortgage to afford a ticket and snacks, and if the movie disappoints, it’s not just money that’s wasted but also your time.
It’s understandable that people were intrigued when Paramount Pictures announced an opportunity to watch the first seven minutes of one of its new films for free.
This sneak peek not only offers a preview to help decide if the film is worth paying for, but you can also enjoy it from the comfort of home. Seems like a great deal, right?
However, there is a condition.
There’s no fee to watch the initial scenes, but you must complete a challenge to do so.
Paramount introduced the challenge to promote its upcoming horror film, Smile 2. The movie revolves around international pop star Skye Riley, portrayed by Naomi Scott, as she encounters a series of frightening events.
Promotional materials for the movie feature characters with wide, unsettling smiles. To watch the first seven minutes, viewers must mimic this expression.
The technology, connected to a webcam, tracks whether the viewer maintains the smile throughout the preview. Any lapse in smiling will halt the video.
Though unconventional, this approach to marketing has attracted horror enthusiasts eager to participate.
One Twitter user shared a GIF of themselves smiling, humorously commenting: “Me smiling at the FBI agent watching through my webcam lens.”
Another joked about the risk of identity theft, but remarked: “It was worth it for watching [seven] minutes of Smile 2.”
“Only 7 minutes?” another user questioned, adding: “I’ll be smiling like the Joker for the rest of the day just to make sure I don’t miss anything.”
Seven minutes might seem brief in terms of a movie, but in comparison to a 22-minute sitcom, it’s quite significant.
While it’s easy to genuinely laugh through a portion of a show like Friends, maintaining a forced smile during a horror film is quite another challenge. There’s only one way to see if you can manage it… Take on the challenge here.