The Smiling Man

[@MaybeMockingbird]

Before the world shut down I would go do my grocery shopping at 1 or 2 in the morning. My social anxiety is bad and I hate how packed stores would get and I hated the thought of running into somebody I knew who may want to talk to me. It was nice cause the same staff people worked pretty much every night I went there, so I felt safe cause they all began to expect me around a certain time and there were no surprises. I was also one of those people that my anxiety would keep me from making decisions so when I did decide I was hungry or wanted something I’d go get food, so a lot of times I’d do the nightly run for one or two items. It also helped me save money and not waste food cause I only bought what I needed at that time.

[@jackbassindale4336]

Completely relate 😊

[@kneesocks15]

I have days like that. I also just enjoy a late night run to the store. they usually are trying to get rid of overstock at end of the business day so they would push free stuff on you

[@florence.5088]

Grocery stores stress me too, but a good thing that came out of the pandemic is that most grocery stores now deliver. I usually pick their no contact delivery, that way I don't even have to speak to the delivery person. I just choose a scheduled time and they put it in front of my door and text me that it has arrived. The 5$ delivery fee is worth the peace of mind of grocery shopping from the comfort of your home.

[@starlynnquartz1613]

Tbh I miss late-nate shopping for the same reason. It was so peaceful.

[@mellym3ow]

I think everyone has different anxieties based on their own experiences and personalities so it's completely valid. Gab has mentioned before that as a woman she is hyperaware of potential dangerous scenarios, so for her personally its a huge no no to go shopping after dark. She's expressing her anxiety regarding that but don't think she means to invalidate others' experiences. I as a woman who lives in a country with high crime would honestly much rather face my fears of social anxiety and sensory overload than go at night even if it's calmer. It's just a sad reality for many of us women who have had horrible experiences. But glad it works for you! Please just still stay vigilant ❤️

[@marissafedor]

The thing about stalkers for horror vs monsters and ghosts is that people are more likely to be horrified by it. It’s more realistic. Something that you believe could actually happen to you is more terrifying than a monster.

[@stew347]

It depends on what you believe to be real. Believe in monsters, and you'll find them. We don't need to believe in stalkers though, unfortunately they are real :/

[@MrYelly]

"I love your tiny face" is both the weirdest, but most sincere compliment there can be

[@imacelebrityx]

I actually really liked that they used the original story, and they used the music from the horror short from years ago. I think this was really cool to see full circle.

[@DAEsaster]

Link?

[@blablablabla8485]

I remember the original as well. It was when creepy pasta was at its finest.😁

[@MickZarco]

I remember this as a creepypasta, one of the few ones that made chills go down my spine.

[@Orionesca]

This creepypasta always scared me. The game cant quite capture the horror fully but its still fun that they made a game out if it!

[@daniel_engles]

From listening to Gab's voice way too much for insomnia the thumbnail is actually a photo of me seeing a new upload

[@sab-m5i]

A few days back I watched Pulse for the first time after watching one of your videos in which you recommended it as well, and I absolutely loved it. That scene where that woman slowly walks towards the camera feels so uneasy, no big jump scare needed to make you feel scared, so well done

[@diddles38]

The way he swerved into view when you were running backwards had me in kinks 😂

[@41tinman41]

One reason I would guess to be the reason recent horror media contains more down-to-Earth and realistic premises is that we’re in that era where stories about monsters and creatures aren’t as outrageous and impactful. We’ve saturated it enough in the past few decades. It also comes from the recent development in people’s interest in true crime stories and serial killers. I love this development and variety in horror media and hope that we get another era of something exciting and different.

[@carira1464]

Man, I was so scared when I first saw the short film called The Smiling Man. Couldn't walk outside at night without lowkey paniking for months

[@AlleyCatInks]

I also love the bite sized adventures that creators are making now, but this is a primal fear that freaks me out though 🤣 I am SO on the same page with you though, like it gets dark at 5 pm and I’m just like “ok time to stay in now.” 🤣🤣🤣 I laughed so hard at that comment!

[@gamingnewsandupdatesph]

I remember watching Pulse for the first time and that scene where the guy entered the sealed apartment was unnerving. That whole take where the woman was walking towards the camera didn't need any special effects to make it truly terrifying. It was a perfect blend of just the right lighting, creepy shadowing, and the inability to turn away as the woman slowly and unhumanly walks closer to you.

[@Frogster.Braedyn]

This situation is what genuinely scares me. I love a good Monster flick/game and they can be genuinely horrifying, but this is on another level... Because it is entirely plausible, especially compared to running into an eldritch being or something. Loved the original story to this, too. Terrified me for months as a teen. Much love, Ev! 💕

[@babyneptune2696]

I love watching you play these indie games and absolutely JUMP as soon as I see a new one! Love your content!

[@devyanik9023]

he's a runner he's a trackstar no fr I laughed so hard when gabs turned around and he was sprinting

[@vivianthai6990]

The horror was the friends we made along the way

[@Hakoccino]

8:04 he a runner, he a track staaaaar

[@alphahendricks]

Lol

[@dimwarlock]

I live in an isolated neighborhood, it's not like miles away from the city, it's just surrounded by small unattended pieces of land where nature has took over, we have to wait for the bus to get out of there because even in broad daylight is unpleasant to walk through because of recent reports of mugging... I can't even imagine going out at night just to do some shopping.

[@victoriacampos7653]

The laugh at 8:04 got me DEAD ☠️☠️☠️ Also you look amazing with the new hair!

[@deborahhe]

Made me laugh at the surprise Gabs had at the person shopping at 2am. My grandma always did her shopping about that time. Lol. Her excuse was it was a ghost town in the store and you didn't have to deal with idiot people.

[@beverlyarcher3744]

Or lines

[@bloob9147]

i was doing a covid test while watching and the first scare of him near the house caused me to damn near stab my brain out

[@alphahendricks]

Got a notification for this one and a few seconds later I got one for Jacksepticeye. Keep up the great work Gabs. :3

[@guerney2000]

Yeah, and there's usually a long video from Gabs and short(er) one from Jack, but looks like they switch once in a while 😂

[@alphahendricks]

@@guerney2000 yeah lol

[@NightOwlOnDaProwl]

To answer your question about why people shop at night, I work a evening/night shift so for years I've done most of my shopping at odd hours. It was convenient to my schedule, no long lines, very few people in your way, it was quiet and calm unlike shopping at any other part of the day. I soooo miss having Walmart or Kroger being open when I need them. Now when I'm hungry and getting off of work I'm stuck with either gas station food or McDonald's. Or if there was something I really needed, I have to wait for the weekend or pay twice the price for half the size of something at a convenience store. 😐

[@sushidashi6152]

I think because of Covid, most people feel safer in their homes and maybe that's why there's more stalker games nowadays. This one really got me though. It was so creepy!!

[@neamhcridhe6475]

i almost dropped my food when gab screamed......i mean i knew it was coming but still.....the terror that shot through me at being startled AND nearly dropping my food.....lord my heart.....

[@mikeox_is_small]

A horror game where you're stalked by Linkara "The Lightbringer"

[@AvantaGarden]

LMAOO THE WAY HE WAS RUNNING!!!

[@user-bv7lg5wi5p]

IKR I DIED LAUGHING 😭🤣🤣

[@AntonMonster]

Smiling man be like - I’m fast as fuck boiiiii

[@melplays90]

my heart was pounding through the whole of this video, that guy is so creepy LOL freaky thing is, years ago when I lived on my own, I was a major night owl and would walk thirty minutes to the 24/7 supermarket at around 3 in the morning, absolutely terrifying LOL, I was such an idiot.

[@Weltohr]

I shop once everyday to prevent over-eating! If I buy more for multiple days I usually get the craving to eat more!

[@woodencoyote4372]

When I was 18, I worked in a 24-hour supermarket, and I often got stuck with the bottom-tier shift from midnight to 6am. The only people who came in at 2am were prostitutes, and honestly they were our best-behaved customers.

[@luludoesntknowwtfishappeni234]

I love how you know Pulse/Kairo as well! The lady slowly walking definitely reminded me of her in this game.

[@Ajlez]

"You gotta do random shit!" - Gab telling us both how to evade stalkers AND police investigations! 💕 (just kidding)

[@fireslasher13]

2am shopping is so much quieter than regular hours, though.

[@Thousandeyes85]

That might have been the most scared I've ever seen her. She never screams like that

[@maggieolson1956]

I really like the music that starts playing once the game ends. I wonder if there’s a longer version of it somewhere

[@maliciositygames]

Makes me think of the strange/creepy individuals you find working late at night in retail.

[@NotEven_G]

number 1 rule for situations you're feeling scared or paranoid is never look over your shoulder otherwise you'll throw yourself into a higher state of paranoia

[@rabbitsfootgames]

I had this playing in the background while I was working on the computer and the sound when he starts chasing you made me skin crawl, remembering the old short horror clip 🙃🤣

[@foen1987]

two things i love about this video: 1) gab going to the right side of the car for the driver's seat first b/c she lives in england and 2) her immediately asking "did we run him over?" so calmly after she got in LOLLL

[@shaggyisamofo]

Also everyone should watch pulse(Japanese ver) it's such a masterful movie with a lot of creativity put into it, it's not just jumpscares and cheap tricks like most horrors, it prioritises the feeling and let's say, vibe of the movie to creep U out. Honestly I would say it's the best horror Ive ever seen.(sorry for bad gramma)

[@allhailpickles]

Nothing can be more horrifying than humankind (in this context)

[@sungalaxia]

Lock your doors, lock your windows, hide your kids, hide your wife...and now I have that song stuck in my head.

[@mellym3ow]

Gah, as someone who comes from a country with a high crime rate and other not so fun things that make me worry more as a woman - I can only take these kinds of horror games in small doses. Though sometimes I'd like to think they desensitize me in a way that I wouldn't panic as much irl cause I've "seen it before". I sometimes listen to readings of those let's not meet reddits for the same reason. But yes, these kinds of horror games are much more effective!

[@SamanthaMotis]

I dont understand why you dont have over a million subs?! Your vids are amazing, I love the Japanese games as well 😍

[@AmyAlbatross]

I always thought this creepy pasta story was fun.

[@shaggyisamofo]

The smiling man is based on a Creepypasta of the same name about a dancing man dressed up in a suit who chases a dude to his home and kills him

[@mewtal_bean_13]

In the U.S. we have some stores open 24 hrs. I used to work at a bar and we closed at 2am. So sometimes I would go shopping after I got off. The only people were the store workers, a few random people, and other coworkers who also decided to go shopping. It was so quiet and peaceful to go shopping. No lines to wait in. To keep safe I always parked as close as I could to the store. There was one time though I stopped after work at the gas station at the corner and one of my coworkers stopped, too and someone snuck into her car. She caught them before she got in the car and ran back to the store. The gas station want allowed to do this but they let us in the store and called the cops. After that I always lock my car even while I'm pumping gas. That was scary. So there is no confusion, the bar, grocery store, and gas station were in a plaza/ strip mall.

[@Gloomcookie96]

This is the kind of thing that scares me. Supernatural monsters don't hit the same because they're not a real threat. Something that can actually happen will scare you more than something only being portrayed by someone in a mask.

[@wongmeiyee6640]

If im insomnia i will use your video to make me sleep...something in the voice soothes me

[@theconceptofinfinity]

Lmao "this is the point where you're like "fuck the market" with the creepy guy in the background had me laughing.

[@MW-sd9yz]

0:40 My brain: He's looking for BEANS!

[@alphahendricks]

Give him some BEEEEAAAANNNNSSSS

[@alphahendricks]

Give him his BeAnS

[@RedVelvetReaper]

I feel like horror is more effective when it's believable. Like a scenario like this could really happen to someone. That's creepy to me.

[@SilverDragonJay]

I like how the true ending is that you get chased, find that the clerk of the store is dead, steal his car keys (just 'cause) and then walk home like normal.

[@stefanfrancis734]

Love your stuff Gabb!!!

[@thegtaguyhere]

I really like watching horror game gameplay I found your channel a while ago love the content 😊

[@too_tired_for_this]

Smiling Man is one of my favorite creepypastas/urban legends!

[@statozzzblue5670]

Isn't this game based on a creepypasta? The Smiling Man was supposed to dance swing-tap, tho.

[@FeralDragon]

For someone who works in retail, I still don't understand why a lot of people come to the store like ten times a day, every single day (and I'm not exaggerating, they actually do that here). It's like they're stuck in some sacred routine where they HAVE to go to the store every 15mins from the moment we open til the moment we close. It's annoying af. This game triggered me, lmao. Especially where the character only buys one item at a time, which is what the customers here do, and HAS to go to the store every single day. Or night, in this case. Just stock up, for the love of god.

[@jerardoh1850]

The way that the man walked, super creepy.

[@ChronosCooper]

Notice the cashier saying "It WAS $1.81" So are you paying less or more? So many questions in my life

[@bettierenault5223]

LOVE THE HAIR SO CUTE

[@Ajlez]

"Thank god there are street lights at least" - Pause to say... AM I THE ONLY ONE WHO...everywhere they've ever lived... the street light across from their house has ALWAYS gone out!? And stayed out most of the time? Actually it's good for sleeping, but for seeing outside, not so much! There's never an even amount of street lights going out at different times, it's just mine that's out. And some other ones that are always out further off. My mom used to say that street lights would go out or flicker when she passed them all the time, and I witnessed it. She thought it was some kind of..energy thing. 🤷‍♀ Or her being bad luck. Can't blame her.

[@blaah9999]

We don’t have any in my neighborhood for a mile or so off the main road and its SO dark and creepy.

[@shannongreen1608]

Same things happens at my house. There’s always this light that goes out after I drive under it to go home. Literally just goes out. Never happens with anyone else just me!

[@Ajlez]

@@shannongreen1608 That's how it was for my mom! She'd drive under certain lights, and they'd just go out.

[@YoongisUnlitCigarette]

This creepypasta always bothered me. 😬😭

[@ParmelkSorashana]

"I go to the market every night for dinner." "It was 2 AM." Who the heck is getting DINNER at 2 AM?

[@odile8701]

🙋‍♀️ What can I say? Insomniacs gotta eat too! And my stomach doesn’t know it’s supposed to operate on a day-shift schedule! 😅

[@ender8759]

This is based on a horror short film that I've watched a few years ago here on KZbin.

[@erincrippen7640]

This reminds me of that creepy short story called smiling man, it's almost the exact same storyline as this and seeing the guy smiling is sooooooo creepy

[@jakethesnake5679]

Working nightshift means you have to go shopping at 3 or 4 am sometimes

[@dragonknight8166]

he kind of gives me the happy mask salesman kind of vibes and that's really creepy in my opinion that dude creeped me out when I was a child especially in Majora's mask

[@faizfuad8361]

11:34 that scene in Pulse was creepy af

[@christinahyde1132]

It was scary until someone said “Tom Cruise”... then I couldn’t unsee it

[@marcoguardia4869]

Well we had to find ways to escape of the Smiling man

[@angelshadow95]

I have been followed by a jeep once. I always drove to a field a few miles away to walk my dog and one day in my way home a jeep followed me, i didn't notice at first but then i drove a circle on purpose and they still tailed me. I drove to a different town, parked in front of a house I often drove by with an older couple I once helped carry groceries in. Thankfully they were home and let me use their landline, i don't remember if i didn't bring my phone or it died, but i had no chance to call the police. That jeep creep waited for about 20 minutes (i saw him from their bathroom window) a few feet away and then drove off I told the police what happened and his lp but i never heard if they caught anyone That was the only creepy experience i had like this and I'd be quite fine if it stayed that way

[@curlygurly2112]

the man do b smilin tho

[@elliejohnson7029]

omg im pretty sure this is based on a horror story I heard a long time ago on those animated horror story channels. the story was about someone walking and a smiling dude was like dancing toward them, I cant remember because it was a whileee ago lol but its basically this

[@z-beeblebrox]

Still reeling from the premise of going grocery shopping at 2am. WHERE CAN YOU DO THIS?? Outside of like, NYC or something lol

[@paragonplays6919]

Music definitely sounds like White Bat Audio (the musician who made the playlist you use for Observation Duty).

[@DulihaFiore]

This is based off a creepypasta that's a few years old. The first time I heard it, the story freaked me out so bad.

[@pamelacunningham7196]

That was a fun but scary play through there is one more ending . When you get the keys use them on the car to get away .

[@SaturoAnni]

This was fun xD and yeah horror games which are made with real stories or stuff that could happen in real life are more scary sometimes 👀

[@aliteraryfan]

Have you heard of the game The Painscreek K*llings (clearly there should be an "i" there but I wasn't sure if it would be censored)? It's along the lines of The Case of Rachel Foster or The Vanishing of Ethan Carter - you are exploring an abandoned town that looks like it belongs in Europe and putting together the clues of what happened there. There is no handholding - you get thrown in. First person, exploration, walking simulator, mystery, detective, with some horror elements. Watching your Rachel Foster stream reminded me of it - it's actually the game that got me back into gaming! Just a thought for a future game!

[@flipkiller8521]

I would have brought a Baseball Bat if that were me.

[@Ac3_Lee]

This game gives me bloodwash feeling

[@alphamike87]

I love Pulse too, I haven’t seen it in a while

[@mattiasbarnett3777]

There are some supermarket's open 24 hours here in UK ASDA is a supermarket open 24 hours

[@Danganronpa2024]

First huge man, then smiling man! Yes! Bring on the mens!! 🤣💜

[@AntonMonster]

I’m usually shopping at 7 pm, because I’m walking home from work, and my shift usually ends at 6 pm.

[@SilverSkyCloud]

another plot issue i have other than the only one item per day is, who on earth is having dinner at 2am? unless the player works night shifts it doesnt make sense also that siren noise was terrible

[@waynesworldstarwars7035]

This game sounds very much like a story I heard from Mr. Nightmare that was very much like this about a smiling man chasing a guy around

[@kaivalentin3]

Okay but why is the ending music the same music from twilight when Bella is researching cold ones?😅

[@pauldulay5207]

Gab bangs is so cute

[@alphamike87]

The true ending is that the player character is smiley man all along lol

[@dontbotheruncledanny3913]

The game looks cooL

[@TheDragonageorigins]

This is why you stay strapped or get clapped

[@alphamike87]

The guy’s run reminds me of the T-1000 from Terminator 2

[@chrisyeo4028]

Nice hair bangs, it suits you I think. A youthful looks.

[@RubyBloss0m]

A lot of people are like "just buy groceries for a whole week" and I'm like "i :) do :) not :) have :) the :) space :) for :) that :)"

[@ladygrey4113]

5:02 I’m kind of wondering if it’s a symptom of more stalking cases happening. I know there’s been a few recent East Asian horror games that deal with women leads having a stalker

[@sassetchavez8010]

Yessss, just got off work now time to watch gab and eat ramen