How They Smiled (2011): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 2011, How They Smiled is a thriller, horror and mystery film directed by Nicolas Wendl, running about 13 minutes.

What it’s about. Bestselling New York novelist Henry Jenkins (Richard Burgi) is not a man of many words. He drinks his tea and enjoys his toast, and walks no more than four blocks to seventh street to Lizzy's coffee shop, where he sits three seats away from the door. Henry has finished the final draft in his penultimate novel in the "Blood Asp" series, which have won him multiple awards over the years. Lizzy Garland (Heather Snell), on the other hand, is a woman of many words. She keeps her customers coming back with her warm spirit and inviting conversation. Henry stays for the tea, and because it takes his mind off certain things.... But he has a plan, and a machine, which if things go well, he will get them back, and will remember how they smiled...

Who’s in it. How They Smiled stars Richard Burgi as Henry Jenkins, Heather Snell as Lizzy Garland and Erica Vogelvang as Mother.

How it landed. With an audience score of 8.0/10, How They Smiled sits among the best-reviewed titles in the catalogue.

Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch How They Smiled page.

If you liked it. Fans of How They Smiled tend to enjoy The Dark Knight, Pulp Fiction, Parasite and Fight Club.