Smile is expanding its universe with a chilling prequel that dives into a world even more monstrous than anything seen thus far in the franchise. Set amid the cutthroat fashion scene of 2005, the story follows rising models whose dreams quickly twist into a nightmare marked by that unmistakable, sinister smile.

“We’re focusing on the girls that are grinding to be the supermodels but also that are seen as disposable…”

Fans of Hollywood’s breakout horror hit Smile are in for a terrifying treat, as the franchise is set to receive a spine-chilling prequel in 2026. Rather than hitting theaters, this next chapter arrives as a new comic series that explores horrors even darker than those on screen, blending fashion-industry anxieties with supernatural dread.

IDW Dark’s Smile: For the Camera, written by Hannah Rose May, debuts its first issue on February 18 and is a must-read for fans of the franchise. A preview of the first issue is available below.

The Smile Universe centers on a demonic entity that spreads its curse from one victim to the next. It begins by tormenting its target with disturbing illusions, each marked by a twisted, unsettling smile. Eventually, the entity takes full control, driving the victim to kill themselves in front of another person, ensuring the curse passes to whoever witnesses the act.

A Prequel That Expands Smile’s Terror Without Revealing Its Biggest Secret

Real-World Monsters & Supernatural Horrors Collide in Smile: For the Camera

The events of Smile: For the Camera will take place before Smile and Smile 2, making it a true prequel. However, fans shouldn’t expect an origin reveal of the Smile entity from May, as she is leaving that part of the story entirely up to director Parker Finn. Still, fans can absolutely expect Smile: For the Camera to expand the franchise in other meaningful ways.

When discussing Smile: For the Camera, May noted that “the fashion industry has its own monsters,” though “they’re just not supernatural.” The Smile Universe, thus, allows her to “deal with those monsters but with an entity being the main setting.” She emphasized that this blend of real-world horrors and supernatural dread is what she is most excited to explore in the series.

The story will follow five young working models who travel to New York City to walk the runways and cover the press of Fashion Week. They quickly become close friends, but one of them is not-so quietly plagued by the entity. As May elaborates, “We’re focusing on the girls that are grinding to be the supermodels but also that are seen as disposable,” highlighting the industry’s harsher realities.

How Real Modeling Experience Shapes the Prequel

Grin and Bear It: The Hidden Pressures Driving Horror in Smile’s New Chapter

Hannah Rose May brings a unique perspective to Smile: For the Camera, drawing on more than a decade of personal experience as a model to inspire the horror story. Director Parker Finn is also involved, approving lore consistency and guiding the worldbuilding rules. Fans can expect the prequel to remain faithful to the source material while exploring fresh, chilling territory.

May: There’s this misconception that models, especially runway models, are financially very well looked after. That’s not true. A lot of these girls owe a lot of debt to their agency who are covering their apartments, their airfare, their visas. They have a tab that they have to keep working to pay off. So that in itself is its own stress and its own monster, pun intended. We show just why these girls have to continue to hustle and ‘grin and bear it’ because to call it quits means a very hefty bill and how else are they gonna pay it off? It’s almost like the entity is the least of their concerns.

The story also emphasizes the recurring theme of “grin and bear it,” reflecting the pressures women face in the fashion industry, and beyond, to carry responsibilities, push past pain, and endure hardship while maintaining a pleasant exterior. By weaving this reality into its supernatural horror, Smile: For the Camera promises to be a profound and unforgettable addition to the franchise.