Rotten Tomatoes
Submit search Movies Tv shows RT App News Showtimes

I Smile Back

Play trailer 1:46 Poster for I Smile Back R 2015 1h 25m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
49% Tomatometer 71 Reviews 62% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
Addicted to drugs and alcohol, a housewife's (Sarah Silverman) self-destructive behavior starts to take its toll on her husband (Josh Charles) and two young children.
Watch on Fandango Stream Now

Where to Watch

I Smile Back

I Smile Back

What to Know

Critics Consensus

I Smile Back serves as a powerful showcase for Sarah Silverman's dramatic range, but fails to surround her committed performance with a movie worthy of its depth.

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View More
Candice Frederick Reel Talk Online Sep 1, 2017
D
... the ending is one of those conclusions of a film that you see coming a few minutes before it does yet you pray it actually doesn't end that way because you know you'd feel like throwing your shoe at the screen. Go to Full Review Sara Michelle Fetters MovieFreak.com Aug 22, 2016
3/4
I Smile Back might not rewrite the addiction or mental illness melodrama rule book but that doesn't make it less affecting, Silverman's spectacular performance alone making the price of a ticket well worth spending. Go to Full Review Jason Bailey Flavorwire May 30, 2016
'I Smile Back' could very well be just another addiction drama, were it not for the power and force of Silverman's performance, which she plays with such raw openness that she transcends the material. Go to Full Review David Bax Battleship Pretension Jan 11, 2021
I Smile Back is, according to the goals it set itself, a successful movie. But is that the same as being a good one? Go to Full Review Brigid Presecky FF2 Media Aug 16, 2019
3.5/5
Although the script by Amy Koppelman and Paige Dylan falters in its bizarre, grotesque depiction of suburban housewives, Silverman's transformation is mesmerizing. Go to Full Review Michael J. Casey Boulder Weekly Jul 2, 2019
In the case of I Smile Back, there is no insight, just the endurance contest of watching a woman with mental illness and addiction. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View More
Adri P @Adpel Jan 1, 2026 Sucked. Waste of amazing talent. Not every novel is meant to be a film. See more Robert H @Rwhobbs198 Dec 16, 2025 I Smile Back delivers solid performances and a very realistic look at the mental strain that can come from everyday adult life — bills, children, marriage, career, and the quiet pressure of holding it all together. The film effectively shows how emotional trauma, addiction, and feeling stuck in long-term ruts can bleed into the decisions people make well into adulthood. It’s not especially detailed or expansive, and it doesn’t aim to be — this is a small, emotionally focused story. At times it’s a rough watch, but that discomfort feels intentional. While it didn’t fully click with me or leave a lasting impact, I didn’t mind the one-time viewing, and it may resonate strongly with the right audience. See more Angela W @Ang3la Dec 6, 2025 It is a wonderful film for ppl that come from broken families to have a good life to 💯 family lol jk See more R T @RT88164790 Dec 2, 2025 It was ok. Sara Silverman was good but it had an abrupt ending. See more Laura R @RT68729542 Nov 30, 2025 I had to turn it off when she dry humps her kids toy in the kid's bedroom while they are sleeping. I used to think she was funny, but this was just gross. See more Jerod S @jeroduptown Oct 21, 2023 I Smile Back is meant to make you irk at the pain of addiction, especially as a parent in a family. Silverman makes the viewer so uncomfortable, just like it was meant to be. See more Read all reviews
I Smile Back

My Rating

Read More Read Less WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW POST RATING

Cast & Crew

View All

Adam Salky

Director

Sarah Silverman

Laney

Josh Charles

Bruce

Thomas Sadoski

Donny

Mia Barron

Susan

Terry Kinney

Dr. Page

More Like This

View All
Big Muddy 67% 21% Big Muddy Watchlist Bottled Up 33% 40% Bottled Up Watchlist Ma ma 24% 45% Ma ma Watchlist Anesthesia 27% 51% Anesthesia Watchlist TRAILER for Anesthesia Heaven Knows What 89% 66% Heaven Knows What Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More
View All

I Smile Back

I Smile Back: Trailer 1 I Smile Back: Trailer 1 1:46 Now Playing View more videos
View All

I Smile Back

I Smile Back (2015) I Smile Back (2015) I Smile Back (2015) (L-R) Sarah Silverman as Laney and Josh Charles as Bruce in "I Smile Back." Sarah Silverman as Laney in "I Smile Back." Sarah Silverman as Laney in "I Smile Back." Terry Kinney as Dr. Page in "I Smile Back." (L-R) Sarah Silverman as Laney and Chris Sarandon as Roger in "I Smile Back." Chris Sarandon as Roger in "I Smile Back." View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Addicted to drugs and alcohol, a housewife's (Sarah Silverman) self-destructive behavior starts to take its toll on her husband (Josh Charles) and two young children.
Director
Adam Salky
Producer
Brian Koppelman, David Levien, Mike Harrop, Richard Arlook
Screenwriter
Paige Dylan, Amy Koppelman
Distributor
Broad Green Pictures
Production Co
Oscar Crosby Films, Film House Germany
Rating
R (Substance Abuse|Disturbing Behavior|Strong Sexual Content|Language)
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 23, 2015, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Jul 26, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$57.7K
Runtime
1h 25m
Join The Newsletter Join The Newsletter Cookie Settings