Mysterious and goofy, lovable yet strange, the Cheshire cat is perhaps as memorable for his toothy grin as his penchant for perplexity. If you want to know how to nail the Cheshire cat grin for a role (or just to unsettle your friends), we’ve got you covered.
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The Cheshire cat grin is “a smile with far too many teeth on display, where the mouth doesn’t match up with the eyes, going practically from ear to ear,” according to TV Tropes. Here are its key traits:
- A crescent moon-shape, with exaggerated upturned corners
- Toothy, with visible (preferably pointed) teeth
- Mischievous, indicating that the grinner knows something those around do not
- Unchanging, maintaining its shape in a way that feels unnatural
“Alice in Wonderland” (1865), written by Lewis Carroll: While there are some scattered earlier references to Cheshire cat grins, Carroll’s book is arguably the most notable appearance. And when you think of the Cheshire cat, you probably conjure up an image of the iconic pink and purple cat from Disney’s classic 1951 animated film, his iconic grin floating in the air as the rest of his body disappears.
“My Neighbor Totoro” (1988), dir. Hayao Miyazaki: The cat bus from the Studio Ghibli film appears and flashes that strange smile.
“Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls” (1995), dir. Steve Oedekerk: Perpetual chameleon Jim Carrey gives a classic, toothy lion smile as Ace Ventura.
“Loki” (2021–2023): Tom Hiddleston’s Loki is a great example of the type of character who would employ a Cheshire cat grin. He’s not evil, but he’s not good. He’s mischievous and sly, meaning people can never truly tell what his true intentions are.
“Smile” (2022), dir. Parker Finn: In this horror film (and its sequel), the grin reaches spooky new heights, as those who witness it soon find themselves terrorized by a supernatural entity.
To be mischievous: The Cheshire cat grin can convey a character’s inner thoughts without ever saying a word. The grin “serves as a reminder that appearances can be deceiving, emphasizing the importance of looking beyond the surface to uncover the truth,” according to Aliceinwonderland.us, a fan site dedicated to the book.
To expand your smile range: As an actor, nailing your natural smile is a great skill for when you’re auditioning or networking, or even when you just need to smile for a role. But mastering other smiles only adds to your facial expression repertoire.
To portray a trickster: The grin isn’t generally used for true villains (unless you find yourself performing in a horror movie like “Smile”), but rather for characters who may be mysterious or strange, such as the trickster. Think of Loki or Willy Wonka (sure, Wonka is a good guy, but weren’t you a little scared when you first watched that tunnel scene?). These are characters who can’t be pinned down, whose enigmatic personalities make you question their intentions.
The Art of Divine Disruption: How to Make the Trickster Archetype Your Own
Look in the mirror and smile naturally. Now forget that beautiful smile because a Cheshire cat grin is not natural. To get the grin:
1. Smile wider than usual.
Stretch your lips up to your eyes to get the feel of a strange smile. While your Cheshire cat grin may not end up being quite as exaggerated, practicing this will help you limber up your facial muscles.
2. Bare your teeth.
This is an unsettling smile, so showing a little too much teeth is a good way to jar audiences. You can also play around with not showing your teeth. How does your wide, exaggerated smile look when your lips are closed?
3. Use your eyes.
Since a Cheshire cat grin is generally used to rattle viewers or add mystery to a character, aim for a wicked gleam in your eyes.
4. Try different angles.
Turning your head down slightly and smiling up can make a huge difference in perception. Or turning your head to the side and staring at the audience can enhance how your eyes and mouth appear to the viewer. Although there’s no mistaking the evil intentions of Bill Skarsgård’s “It” clown, his smile is a great example of an abnormal one that uses angles to its advantage.
5. Be mysterious.
Remember that the Cheshire cat grin represents a nuanced character whose intentions may not be known by the audience. Aim for mystery.
