In 2022, Paramount Pictures released ‘Smile,’ which initially was meant to stream exclusively on Paramount Plus. After great responses from test screenings, the studio took a gamble and released it theatrically.
The gamble really paid off and became one of the biggest surprises of that year. Now, the eagerly awaited follow up arrives and, if you have enjoyed the 2022 movie, you really won’t be disappointed with this sequel!
About to embark on a new world tour, global pop sensation Skye Riley begins to experience increasingly terrifying and inexplicable events.
Overwhelmed by the escalating horrors and pressures of fame, she must face her dark past to regain control of her life before it spirals out of control.
‘Smile 2’ is one of those rare horror sequels that is actually slightly better than its original. Led by an awesome performance from Naomi Scott, this sequel takes the first movie’s initial premise to all new twisted levels that fans of the first movie will really enjoy.
The horror sequel’s opening sequence is an intense way to start things off. Taking place not long after the 2022 movie’s ending, it perfectly continues the story and things really go off the rails. (Slight spoiler) The opening brings back fan favorite character Joel, who survived the events of the first movie, as he’s trying to get rid of the “entity” that he now has.
Another thing I really liked about the opening sequence is that it was mostly done in one seamless shot, which looks really awesome!
Ok, moving on from the opening! ‘Smile 2’ delivers several tense and chilling moments that will really make you jump. Now, normally I don’t really jump during most scares, but ‘Smile 2’ really has some moments that will make anyone jump. The scenes that really catch you off guard is what makes this horror movie intriguing and leaves you at the edge of your seat.
There’s a scene in the sequel that a few people at a showing I attended thought was also really weird and slightly creepy. During a tense scene, we see the main character Skye running around her apartment and we see many individuals just standing there with the now infamous weird smile. It’s one of the many scenes that can really get you!
And, before I wrap the review up, Naomi Scott’s performance as Skye Riley is really powerful at times for a horror movie. Her performance also helps the unnerving scenes feel even more unnerving.
If you’re looking for a horror movie to check out during the end of the spooky season that will really leave you at the edge of your seat and features many twists and turns, then make sure not to miss ‘Smile 2.’
The cast: Naomi Scott as Skye Riley; Rosemarie Dewitt as Elizabeth Riley; Lukas Gage as Lewis Fregoli; Miles Gutierrez-Riley as Joshua; Dylan Gelula as Gemma; Raul Castillo as Darius; Ray Nicholson (Jack Nicholson’s son) as Paul Hudson; Peter Jacobson as Morris and Kyle Gallner as Joel.
‘Smile 2’ is written and directed by Parker Finn, who also brought us the 2022 movie.
Smile writer/director Parker Finn intentionally left portions of the first movie ambiguous to create the opportunity to explore those details in a potential follow up. According to Finn, the casting of Ray Nicholson was an homage to his father Jack Nicholson’s role in ‘The Shining.’
As of this writing, the studio hasn’t green-lit any more installments yet. But, with word of mouth of this sequel being really positive, I am certain there will be a ‘Smile 3’.
‘Smile 2’ is rated R for strong bloody violent content, grisly images, language throughout and drug use and has a running time of 127 minutes.
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