Hi movie friends! Looking for a heart-pounding kick while watching horror movies? Then Smile 2 is for you! A sequel to the 2022 hit Smile, this terrifying ride is set to hit theaters on October 18, 2024. With Naomi Scott playing a matchstick in the lead role, director Parker Finn has made this movie even grander, gorier, and with psychological twists. With stars like Kyle Gallner, Rosemary DeWitt, Lucas Gage, and Drew Barrymore (super cameo!), this movie brilliantly portrays mental health, the pressures of fame, and trauma in the story of a pop star. Come, let's review, analyze, and immerse ourselves in the performances of the actors in this horror fest!
What's the story?
Smile 2 continues the curse of the first film, this time targeting global pop star Skye Riley (Naomi Scott). Skye loses her boyfriend Paul (Ray Nicholson) in a terrible car accident, and her life is turned upside down by drug addiction, and she is preparing for a comeback tour after rehab. But, a drug dealer, Louis (Lucas Gage), destroys his face in front of her with a creepy smile and dies bloody. From there, the smile curse starts to haunt Skye!
This demon exploits Skye’s insecurities, guilt, and addiction, giving her one heart-stopping hallucination after another – fans with creepy smiles, the ghost of a dead boyfriend, murderous dancers! Skye tries to continue the tour with the support of her mother/manager Elizabeth (Rosemary DeWitt), assistant Josh (Miles Gutierrez-Reilly), and record company boss Darius (Raul Castillo), but her mind gradually crashes. As she tries to reconnect with old friend Gemma (Dylan Zelula), the curse doesn’t leave her a single step. Will Skye fight off this demon and escape, or will she fall tragically at its hands? This journey is a full-on horror rollercoaster!
Analysis – What is this horror magic?
Smile 2, despite being a sequel to the first film, takes it to another level in scale, emotion, and gore. Director Parker Finn brilliantly mixes touchy themes of mental health, trauma, the pressures of fame, and addiction with psychological horror against a pop star culture backdrop. While Skye’s life may seem like a Taylor Swift-style epic tour, the film takes place in her apartment, dark stages, and isolated corridors, creating a claustrophobic vibe.
The horror elements are on fire! Jump scares, bloody gore, and reality-twisting hallucinations – every scene will have your heart pounding. The best scene is the “Smile Dancers” sequence – the backup dancers in the sky apartment surround her with creepy smiles, which is a top horror moment of 2024! The sound design is another highlight – from silent gaps to sudden loud shocks, it keeps the audience on the edge of their seats. The cinematography features upside-down shots and creative lighting that give the film a visual feast.
But, not everything is perfect. The 2 hour and 7 minute runtime feels a bit of a drag, especially in the second half where repetitive jump scares can get a little boring. The lack of new details about the demon lore and the excessive reuse of the first film’s formula may disappoint horror nerds. The final act may feel predictable to some, but the last 10 minutes are mind-blowing and open a new door for the franchise!
Performances of the actors – who impressed?
Naomi Scott (Skye Riley): Oh my god, Naomi Scott brings this movie to life! As Skye, she portrays emotions like fear, paranoid, guilt, and self-hatred with heart-wrenching intensity. While her on-stage performances look glamorous, her off-stage vulnerable moments are heart-wrenching. Her emotional breakdown scene at a charity event would have crowned Scott the scream queen of 2024. Without her, this movie wouldn’t have been as impactful!
Kyle Gallner (Joel): Kyle Gallner makes a strong impression in a small role as Joel, returning from the first film. His violent action in the opening scene and his chemistry with Scott give the film a roaring start.
Lucas Gage (Louis): Lucas Gage gives a short but shocking performance as drug dealer Louis. His face-smashing scene is a guaranteed goosebumps, setting the horror tone for the film!
Rosemary DeWitt (Elizabeth): Rosemary DeWitt is impressive in her complex role as Skye's mother/manager. Her supportive but self-serving nature adds an emotional layer to the film.
Drew Barrymore (Cameo): Drew Barrymore’s surprise cameo is a fun moment for fans! Her brief appearance gives light relief to the film.
Highlights – What went wrong?
Naomi Scott Magic: Scott’s career-defining performance took the film to superstar level. Her scream queen vibe is a match!
Horror Feast: “Smile Dancers” scene, gory kills, reality-twisting hallucinations – full of thrills for horror fans!
Social Commentary: The pressure of fame, mental health, and addiction themes make the film relatable and deep.
Technical brilliance: Sound design, upside-down camera shots, and creative lighting make the film a visual treat.
Flaws – Did I miss anything?
Long runtime: 2 hours and 7 minutes is a bit too long, the pace could have been sharper if some scenes had been trimmed.
Repetitive scares: The second half feels a bit sluggish due to the repetition of jump scares and hallucinations.
Lore gap: The lack of new details about the demon is a slight disappointment for horror nerds.
Predictable ending: The final act may feel predictable to some, and an innovative twist is missing.
Ratings – What’s the score?
My rating: 7.8/10 – Naomi Scott’s unstoppable acting, horror sequences, and social commentary make the movie demonically awesome, but the long runtime and repetitive scares are a slight minus.
Final Talk – Watch or Skip?
Smile 2 is a bigger, bolder, bloodier horror blast for Smile fans! Naomi Scott’s sensational performance, Parker Finn’s creative direction, and themes of fame and trauma make this film one of the top horror sequels of 2024. Despite the repetitive scares and long runtime, the last 10 minutes will leave you in shock and open the door to the future of the franchise. It’s streaming now on Netflix, so turn off the lights this weekend and enjoy this creepy Smile ride!