Parker J. Finn (born March 18, 1987) is an American filmmaker. He is best known for creating the Smile franchise. He wrote and directed the horror films Smile (2022) and its sequel Smile 2 (2024).
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Early life
Finn was born on March 18, 1987, in Bath, Ohio. He attended the University of Colorado Boulder, then attended Chapman University's Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, where he received a screenwriting MFA in 2011.
Career
In 2018, Finn wrote and directed the horror short film The Hidebehind, which screened at Panic Fest and the Portland Horror Film Festival in 2019.
In 2020, Finn wrote and directed the horror short film Laura Hasn't Slept, which was filmed at Chapman University Dodge College of Film and Media Arts' Stage B. The short won the Special Jury Award at SXSW 2020.
In 2022, Finn made his feature film directorial debut with the horror film Smile, which was based on his short film Laura Hasn't Slept (2020). The film premiered at Fantastic Fest on September 22, 2022, and was released in the United States on September 30, 2022 by Paramount Pictures. It became 2022's top grossing original horror film and spawned a franchise.
In 2023, Finn entered a multi-year first-look deal with Paramount Pictures to write, produce, and direct additional feature films. That same year, he founded the production company Bad Feeling.
In 2024, it was announced that Finn would write and direct the horror film Possession, a remake of the 1981 film. It is scheduled to be released in the United States on June 11, 2027 by Paramount Pictures. Later that year, Finn wrote and directed Smile 2, which was released in the United States on October 18, 2024 by Paramount Pictures.
Filmography
Short film
Feature film
Acting roles