Major League Baseball (MLB) is the world’s oldest major professional sports league and a professional baseball organization. However, imagine the fear when a very terrifying marketing strategy for the recent horror flick Smile went viral, frightening audiences in the United States.
Paramount Pictures’ viral marketing strategy was a complete success. Several media sites covered the frightening hoax, which only went viral owing to the actors’ dedication to the part. They never stopped smiling during the games, which included the New York Mets vs. Oakland Athletics and the St. Louis Cardinals vs. Los Angeles Dodgers, among others.
People were both impressed and terrified by this marketing strategy
The trailer for the new psychological thriller reveals a number of people who have been ‘possessed’ or haunted by a supernatural figure. The telltale sign that these people are on their way to a less-than-pleasant end? They all have a fixed grin on their face.
The #SmileMovie had actors infiltrate MLB games and hold creepy smiles the entire time as part of the film’s promo campaign. pic.twitter.com/jlFVg7C72s
— Pop Base (@PopBase) September 30, 2022
One Twitter video shows a woman seated behind home plate, peering right into the camera with an eerie smile. Later in the game, the lady stands up to show off her ‘SMILE’ T-shirt, so we have some hope that this is all a marketing trick. People’s reactions online show that that scary smile is enough to give them nightmares.
Her reaction is so me 😭 pic.twitter.com/J4xi6A38uS
— BₐᵣBᵢₐ 🇹🇹 ⸜⁄ (@BarBiaMinaj) September 30, 2022
man this woman here represents me pic.twitter.com/53jY5zhHNd
— Andrea¹³ MIDNIGHTS (@andreaistrying) September 30, 2022
Terrified pic.twitter.com/WeqAc99O5Z
— Paige 🌙🦋 (@beginagain028) September 30, 2022
MLB Twitter joked that the performers were just thrilled to be there watching baseball, but they did a fantastic job with their creepy smiles. The stunts were staged by Paramount, however, we’re not sure if they want us to see the movie or crawl back into bed, cover our faces with a blanket, and pretend none of this is happening.
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This strategy certainly got the people talking
Horror can make almost anything frightening. A phone call, a car, dolls, mirrors, the sun, and even wigs all contribute to the carnage. However, a new film may have them all beat. Smile, as the name implies, unites the universal gestures of friendliness and good cheer and turns them into a death omen.
Also Read: My Best Friend’s Exorcism: 80s Teen Horror Throwback
Smile, starring Jessie T. Usher has such a visually compelling notion that it may creep you out. After all, what could be more terrifying than someone staring at you with a big, toothy, frozen, frightening smile? The film was released on Friday (September 30), and whether or not the marketing campaign convinced people not to watch it, it sure had them talking.
Smile is in theatres.
Source: Twitter
