Genetics are a trip. One minute you're just a normal kid eating dinner with your dad, and the next, the entire internet is freaking out because you inherited the exact facial muscles required to look like a literal slasher villain.
If you've spent any time on social media lately, you’ve seen it. The "Jack Nicholson son smile" has become a genuine pop culture phenomenon, mostly thanks to the horror sequel Smile 2. Ray Nicholson, Jack’s 32-year-old son, basically walked onto a movie set and proved that some things—like a bone-chilling, wide-mouthed grin—are definitely hereditary. It’s not just a resemblance. It’s a carbon copy of the "Kubrick Stare" that made his father a legend in The Shining.
Honestly, it's kinda wild how much a single expression can carry the weight of a 50-year Hollywood legacy.
The Viral Moment: How Ray Nicholson Broke the Internet
The buzz started with a poster.
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Paramount Pictures, being the marketing geniuses they are, released a promotional image for Smile 2 featuring Ray. He’s wearing a sharp white suit. He’s looking directly at the camera. And he is doing the smile. You know the one. The eyebrows are slightly arched, the chin is tucked, and the grin is just a little too wide to be friendly.
Social media lost its collective mind.
People were calling it the "best nepo casting of all time." Why? Because it wasn't just a gimmick. Director Parker Finn actually cast Ray specifically as an homage to Jack Torrance. He knew exactly what he was doing. He wanted that "The Shining" energy, and who better to provide it than the guy who shares Jack’s actual DNA?
Ray plays Paul Hudson in the film, a character who haunts the protagonist, played by Naomi Scott. Every time he pops up on screen with that grin, it feels like a glitch in the Matrix where 1980s Jack Nicholson somehow time-traveled into a modern horror flick.
It’s More Than Just a Face
Ray is surprisingly chill about the whole thing. During the film's premiere, he told reporters that he didn't actually sit in front of a mirror trying to mimic his dad. He didn't have to.
"I ate dinner with him every night," Ray told Deadline. "I studied it. That’s how I learned to be a human being. So, of course we’re going to be kind of similar."
Think about that for a second. Most kids learn how to smile by watching their parents. If your parent happens to be the guy who played the Joker and Jack Torrance, your "standard" smile is probably going to be a little more intense than most.
Why the "Jack Nicholson Son Smile" Hits Different
There is a technical reason why this specific look is so effective in horror:
- The Disconnect: As Parker Finn explained, the trick to a "Smile" monster is disconnecting the eyes from the mouth. The mouth is happy, but the eyes are dead or predatory.
- The Head Tilt: Ray naturally carries that slight forward tilt of the forehead—the "Kubrick Stare"—which makes any smile look like a threat.
- The Eyebrows: The "Nicholson Arch" is a real thing. It’s that triangular peak that makes a face look mischievous even when it’s resting.
Ray has all of these. It’s not a prosthetic. It’s just his face.
Beyond the Meme: Ray Nicholson’s Growing Career
It’s easy to get bogged down in the "lookalike" talk, but Ray is actually putting in the work. He didn't just jump into leading roles. He’s been a "set rat" since he was a kid, watching his dad work on films like The Departed.
He started with small parts in things like The Benchwarmers (2006) and eventually landed meatier roles in Promising Young Woman and the Amazon series Panic. But 2024 and 2025 have really been his breakout years.
He’s not just sticking to horror, either. He’s starring in the 2025 action-comedy Novocaine alongside Jack Quaid (another "nepo baby" who actually has talent). In that one, he plays a bank robber. He seems to be leaning into the "bad guy" roles, and honestly? It’s a smart move. When you have a face that can look that menacing with zero effort, you might as well get paid for it.
The Relationship Between Jack and Ray
Despite the "scary" onscreen persona, the real-life bond between Jack and Ray is actually pretty wholesome. Jack has always been notoriously private, but he’s been spotted at Lakers games with Ray for decades.
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Jack once told AARP Magazine that he wanted to be an "inspirational influence" on his kids without "overburdening them." He took them to the opera, the ballet, and ball games. He wanted them to be "comfortable around show business," and it clearly worked.
Ray refers to his dad as his "hero." He’s also aware of the age gap—Jack was born in 1937 and Ray in 1992. That’s a 55-year difference. Ray often points out that they are very different people living in very different eras, but the core inspiration remains.
Is It Just "Nepo Baby" Luck?
Let's be real: being Jack Nicholson's son gets you in the door. It gets you the audition. But it doesn't make a movie a hit.
The reason the jack nicholson son smile went viral is that it tapped into a genuine sense of nostalgia and unease. Fans love seeing a legacy continue, especially when it’s this visually striking. If Ray couldn't act, the smile would just be a weird TikTok trend for a week. Instead, it’s being used to anchor one of the most successful horror franchises of the 2020s.
He’s leaning into the comparison rather than running from it, which is probably the healthiest way to handle being the son of a 3-time Oscar winner.
What's Next for the Nicholson Legacy?
If you want to see the smile in action, Smile 2 is the place to start. It’s currently one of the highest-rated horror sequels in recent years. But keep an eye out for his upcoming projects:
- Novocaine (2025): Look for Ray playing a villainous bank robber.
- Borderline (2025): A 90s-set thriller where he plays an obsessed fan.
- Adults (FX Series): He was recently cast in a guest role for this series.
The "Jack Nicholson son smile" might have been the thing that caught everyone's attention, but the talent is what’s going to keep him around. We’re essentially watching the birth of a new era of Nicholson cinema—one that feels hauntingly familiar but entirely new.
Next Steps for Fans
- Watch the Comparison: Go back and watch the "Here's Johnny!" scene in The Shining and then watch the Smile 2 trailer. The facial muscle movement is nearly identical.
- Follow the Career: Track Ray's upcoming roles in Novocaine and Borderline to see if he can break out of the "horror lookalike" mold and establish himself as a leading man.
- Check the Credits: Look for his earlier work in Panic on Amazon Prime to see his range before he became the "viral smile" guy.