Smile 2 - Movie Review

Naomi Scott plays global pop star Skye Riley in Smile 2

Photo credit: Paramount Pictures

A couple of years ago, a seemingly innocuous horror film called Smile debuted in theatres (or at home, depending on how out and about you were during Year 2 of the Pandemic) at a time when new releases were unthinkable. The film about a lady experiencing escalating instances of weird encounters with individuals who have smiles plastered on their faces was the perfect kind of terrifying escapism we needed in the world at that time, and no one would be to blame if they’d forgotten it after a few days time. However, thanks to polite reviews and a modest cume at the box office, the powers that be at Paramount Pictures greenlit a sequel that no one seemed to be asking for. Is Smile 2 worthy of your smile, or is just to be frowned upon?

The sequel’s story begins 6 days after the events of the first film, which sees Smile’s supposed “final girl” Rose Cotter (Sosie Bacon) pass on the curse to police officer Joel (Kyle Gallner). As he attempts to pass on the curse to a couple of criminals, things go awry when a bystander named Lewis Fregoli (Lukas Gage) witnesses Joel’s death as well. Fast forward to a few days later, Lewis gets in touch with popstar Skye Riley (Naomi Scott) for a drug deal; unfortunately for her, it’s no longer Lewis she’s dealing with - but something else entirely.

Lukas Gage as Lewis Fregoli in Smile 2

Photo credit: Paramount Pictures

The first film in this (dare we say) franchise was way better than most of the run-of-the-mill horror films that come out of the Hollywood system, thanks to its unnerving use of the smile as a terrifying bit of imagery. But as with all low-budget scarers, once its day has passed, no one will think twice of it again. It’s a unmitigated miracle though, that Smile 2 absolutely surpasses the first one in every way.

Let’s begin with Naomi Scott. Scott has accrued a modest resume since starting out in 2008, breaking out via her role as Kimberly Hart aka the Pink Ranger in the 2017 reboot of the Power Rangers franchise, and then nabbing the coveted role of Jasmine in the 2019 live-action remake of Disney’s Aladdin. Her career took a bit of a break after her outing with the House of Mouse, but it seems like she’s found another feather in her cap as a scream queen thanks to Smile 2. She imbibes Skye with a vulnerability that feels authentic, probably drawing from her own experience as a young up-and-comer in show business. She absolutely sells the terror of the unusual situation she’s in, which is something that, while expected of all who star in horror films, doesn’t always reflect on-screen.

The film around her isn’t a slouch, either. Writer/director Parker Finn slots his audience right back into the delightfully horrific world he’s created, this time displaying a type of directorial confidence rarely seen for anyone who’s helming a sophomore feature. Whereas in Smile, he weaponizes the quiet eeriness of seeing someone with an unnerving smile, here he ratchets up the tension but not only not only employing his tricks from the first film on a much larger canvas, using more elements at his disposal to terrify moviegoers everywhere. There’s a standout sequence here that involves a dance troupe that’s still embedded in our psyche.

The film builds up to a slam-bang conclusion that we won’t spoil here, but has us hooked already on its possible ramifications. It’s rare for a horror film to have a second wind via a superior sequel, and it’s even more rare for anticipation to build thanks to how that sequel finishes. Rest assured, the Cinegeeks will be first in line for Smile 3 whenever it comes out, with a huge grin on our faces.

CINEGEEK RATING: A

Smile 2 Poster

Photo credit: Paramount Pictures

See the Trailer here: