Movie Smile 2 Review: A Bone-Chilling Horror Sequel That Delivers

"Smile 2" is unrelenting. It's a continuous barrage of terror that escalates in intensity, culminating in a spectacular finale that overshadows any minor shortcomings the film might possess. Without venturing into spoiler territory, this sequel exemplifies how a powerful ending can redeem an entire movie. That said, "Smile 2" isn't without its imperfections. The runtime feels excessive – did we really need a horror film stretching beyond 2 hours? Additionally, director Parker Finn, who helmed the 2022 original "Smile," relies too heavily on certain techniques: predictable jump scares and an overused motif of inverting the camera to emphasize the surreal nature of events. These recurring elements eventually become somewhat repetitive. And yet... there's something undeniably effective about this movie. When I first experienced "Smile" at its Fantastic Fest premiere in 2022, I was admittedly lukewarm toward it. It wasn't that I found it disappointing – rather, I felt Finn was drawing too heavily from earlier horror classics, particularly "The Ring." However, subsequent viewings of "Smile" on Blu-ray revealed something unexpected: the film grew on me significantly. I came to appreciate Finn's ability to generate frenetic energy, and I became particularly enamored with the sinister, toothy manifestation of the "Smile" entity during the fiery conclusion. Consequently, I approached "Smile 2" with heightened anticipation, and I must commend Finn for crafting a sequel that's more ambitious, more brutal, and marginally more compelling. Following its predecessor's lead, "Smile 2" recognizes the intrinsic connection between horror and humor, incorporating moments of levity throughout. The film expertly manipulates these lighter moments, using them to lower viewers' defenses before delivering sharp, startling scares. While this approach might seem somewhat manipulative, it's undeniably effective in practice.



"Smile 2" presents an intriguing parallel with another 2024 release, Coralie Fargeat's mind-bending "The Substance." Both films delve deep into the psychology of self-loathing, featuring prominent female protagonists whose internal struggles manifest in increasingly disturbing ways. At the center of "Smile 2" is Skye Riley, a celebrated pop sensation (one can't help but wonder about potential collaborations with Lady Raven) attempting to orchestrate a triumphant return to the spotlight after a year-long hiatus. The film gradually reveals that Skye's absence stemmed from a devastating car accident that claimed her boyfriend's life and left her severely injured. During that dark period, she battled substance abuse, but the intervening year has seen her journey through physical recovery and achieve sobriety. Now, under the persistent encouragement of her manager-mother (portrayed by Rosemarie DeWitt), she's preparing to reclaim her place on stage.

Naomi Scott delivers a tour-de-force performance as Skye. While Scott's filmography includes notable roles in the surprisingly decent "Power Rangers" adaptation, Disney's lucrative "Aladdin" remake, and the short-lived "Charlie's Angels" reboot, her work in "Smile 2" marks a definitive breakthrough moment. Her portrayal demonstrates remarkable range and depth, establishing her as a formidable talent deserving of widespread recognition. Scott masterfully conveys Skye's descent into psychological turmoil, making the character's struggle with both supernatural terrors and profound self-doubt utterly convincing. The film thoughtfully explores how wealth and fame offer no shield against inner demons - in fact, the intense public scrutiny only amplifies Skye's isolation. Her troubled history continues to cast long shadows, tainting every aspect of her existence.



Building on the foundation laid by its predecessor, "Smile" established a compelling premise: a supernatural entity that operates like a parasitic force, pursuing its victims relentlessly (drawing comparisons to "It Follows," though without the sexual transmission element). The curse operates according to specific parameters: once attached, the entity torments its victim with disturbing visions (notably featuring people displaying unnaturally wide, sinister grins), systematically destroys their mental stability over approximately seven days, and ultimately compels them to commit suicide. The crucial element is that the suicide must have a witness - this is the mechanism through which the malevolent force propagates itself.

While Skye maintains her sobriety from alcohol and cocaine, she occasionally relies on Vicodin to manage persistent pain from her accident-related back injury. The irony of her situation becomes apparent when, despite her celebrity status, her documented history with substance abuse makes acquiring prescription painkillers surprisingly challenging (perhaps one of the film's less credible elements, given the typically privileged access of high-profile entertainers to controlled substances). This predicament leads her to seek help from Lewis (Lukas Gage), a casual acquaintance known for his pharmaceutical connections. However, this decision proves catastrophic when Lewis, already in the grip of the supernatural curse, proceeds to violently end his life in her presence - a shocking scene that, while featured in promotional materials, serves as a pivotal moment in the narrative. This traumatic encounter not only haunts Skye but also marks her initiation into the curse's vicious cycle.



The film's effectiveness hinges on its ability to blur the lines between reality and hallucination. Director Finn capitalizes on this ambiguity by orchestrating a series of increasingly disturbing set pieces, including a particularly memorable sequence where Skye's backup dancers transform into a menacing horde of grinning specters - a nightmarish perversion of stage performance. However, this reliance on reality-bending sequences becomes something of a double-edged sword. The film frequently extricates itself from narrative corners by revealing scenes to be hallucinations, a device that, while initially effective, begins to feel formulaic after multiple deployments. While this psychological torment resonates powerfully from Skye's perspective, viewers might find the repetitive pattern somewhat diminishing returns.

Despite these structural limitations, the film maintains an undeniable grip on its audience. Scott's committed performance anchors the experience, bringing authentic humanity to Skye's psychological deterioration. Though certain directorial choices feel somewhat derivative - such as Finn's repeated use of inverted camera angles to convey disorientation - his talent for building and sustaining tension is undeniable, masterfully manipulating audience expectations before delivering each shocking payoff. The film's conclusion, while potentially predictable for genre-savvy viewers, delivers a satisfying punch that doesn't lose impact even if anticipated. It's the kind of ending that might just leave audiences wearing their own unsettling grins as they exit the theater.

Film Rating: A solid 7/10 score"Smile 2" hits theaters nationwide this fall on October 18, 2024.