This month has been all about sinister smiles.

Earlier this October, Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker made a chilling return to theaters, followed by Art the Clown’s creepy grin dominating the box office last week. Now, “Smile 2” is creeping into our minds with its terrifying characters who sport unsettling smiles. Those in search of an exciting horror treat should definitely consider this film; however, if you’re looking for lighter entertainment, you might prefer Anna Kendrick’s first directorial work, the Netflix thriller “Woman of the Hour,” or the new “Young Sheldon” spinoff, “Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage.”

Now let’s dive into the exciting details:

Catch the horror sequel ‘Smile 2’ in theaters (not for the faint-hearted)

The original “Smile,” released in 2022, became quite popular, though I wasn’t particularly impressed by it. (The movie “Truth or Dare” executed the wicked grin concept better.) However, this sequel is genuinely a thrilling horror experience, featuring much creepier moments and a gripping emotional narrative centered around a pop star (brilliantly depicted by Naomi Scott) balancing the stress of her tour and past traumas while battling an ominous attachment. With its musical elements—and the appeal of horror to younger audiences—”Smile 2″ is bound to attract many kids as viewers; thus, I compiled a handy guide for parents about the film, as it contains quite a bit of gore.

Not everyone, including adults, enjoys excessive violence and graphic scenes. To accommodate varying tastes, I’ve put together a collection of horror films that might suit those who prefer to avoid the genre, along with some enjoyable options for kids to embrace the Halloween spirit.

Watch Anna Kendrick’s Netflix directorial debut ‘Woman of the Hour’

While Anna Kendrick is already well-known for her acting skills (who doesn’t love the original “Pitch Perfect”?), she shines as a director in her confident debut “Woman of the Hour” (now available for streaming on Netflix). Set in the 1970s, the thriller tells the story of an aspiring actress (played by Kendrick) who is cast as a contestant on “The Dating Game,” where she unexpectedly encounters a serial killer (Daniel Zovatto), who is one of her potential matches, and an audience member (Nicolette Robinson) who has a troubling history with him.

My friend Marco della Cava sat down with Kendrick to discuss her film, which was inspired by a true story that deeply affected her. She spoke about how “Woman” highlights the troubling power dynamics between genders that persist today, saying, “How did we go from having a pleasant interaction between a woman and a man to suddenly questioning my own safety?”

Catch the latest from ‘Young Sheldon’ with ‘Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage’

It’s fascinating how a comedy about a group of scientist friends who frequent comic book stores has expanded into a vast TV universe. From “The Big Bang Theory” came “Young Sheldon,” which now has led to the new spinoff “Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage.” This series centers on the dynamic between Georgie Cooper, Sheldon’s older brother (played by Montana Jordan), and his wife Mandy (Emily Osment). My colleague Bryan Alexander gathered some insights from a recent set visit, revealing that scenes featuring the couple’s infant daughter CeeCee are filmed separately from the studio audience. “Honestly, I’m an adult, and sometimes I feel like crying when I see 180 people staring at me,” Jordan quipped.

The premiere is currently available for streaming on Paramount+, along with the latest episode of the fourth season of the supernatural comedy “Ghosts,” which introduces new cast members (Mary Holland and Dean Norris) and a couple of upcoming holiday specials.

Discover More Exciting Content!

• A good tear-jerker is always welcomed, but unfortunately, the new romantic drama “We Live in Time” didn’t tug at my heartstrings.
• Cheers to 30 years of “Pulp Fiction”! In celebration of its anniversary this week, we’ve compiled a ranking of every Quentin Tarantino film, along with a cool infographic showcasing the filmmaker’s ensemble cast.
• “Matlock” is making a comeback! With a clever meta twist and featuring Kathy Bates, this revival is definitely worth a watch.

• Travis Kelce, known for his appearances on “Grotesquerie” and as the host of “Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity?”, has been evaluated for his acting abilities.
• A new docuseries on Peacock explores the shocking story of a “Grey’s Anatomy” writer who pretended to have cancer. (That’s just wrong!)