Movie Review: ‘Smile 2’

The horror sequel from writer/director Parker Finn continues the curse storyline from the first movie, albeit with new characters –– to mixed results.

Naomi Scott in 'Smile 2'. Photo: Paramount Pictures.

Opening in theaters on October 18th, ‘Smile 2’ looks to prove itself worthy on the horror sequel front by shaking up the character list but keeping its core concept –– of a terrifying, demonic curse that leaves victims with a rictus grin –– intact.

With one character crossing over (Kyle Gallner’s Joel) to keep the demonic parasite spreading, the focus this time settles on Skye Riley (Naomi Scott), a Taylor Swift-alike pop star already struggling with some serious issues of her own.

Will ‘Smile 2’ make you happy?

Ray Nicholson in 'Smile 2'. Photo: Paramount Pictures.

How much you enjoy ‘Smile 2’ might depend on your appreciation for the 2022 original and, in a change from how that movie derived the majority of its scares, your stomach for noisy jump scares.

Because make no mistake –– there are a lot of those in this movie, and while the first couple are effective, the law of diminishing returns quickly kicks in. It’s also a little disappointing that, despite finding a fresh target ripe with possibilities, the sequel also suffers from feeling like a repeat of the first film, albeit in ways we won’t spoil here.

Still, Finn finds some interesting angles on the tropes we’ve come to expect from the ‘Smile’ films and star Naomi Scott gives a truly committed performance, less scream queen and more trauma queen as Skye goes through a nightmare of very personal proportions.

Script and Direction

Naomi Scott and Director Parker Finn on the set of 'Smile 2'. Photo: Paramount Pictures.

With Parker Finn returning to write and direct, he’s managed to maintain his vision from the first movie. The ethereal, unseen parasitic demon creature has managed to make it to pop star Skye, and it’s her slow breakdown that powers the film.

On the verge of a huge tour, Skye finds herself plunged into a situation where she can’t figure out what is real and what isn’t, and no-one is likely to believe her. The script goes to some fun places, building a suitably creepy atmosphere and finding inventive ways for Skye to be isolated from those around her.

Director Parker Finn on the set of 'Smile 2'. Photo: Paramount Pictures.

As a director, Finn has a real knack for finding great angles and the film looks superb –– even if he might want to sometimes lay off the upside down shots. One or two is a trademark style, but the sheer number of them here becomes wearing.

But he gets good work out of the cast and keeps a careful hand on how it all develops. One sequence in particular, which features Skye’s backup dancers (we won’t say exactly how) is one of the eeriest scenes in a movie this year to date.

Performances

Naomi Scott in 'Smile 2'. Photo: Paramount Pictures.

Naomi Scott as Skye Riley

Scott has been better than some of her past movies have deserved, and here she plays Skye with just the right amount of creeping desperation and paranoia. Whether she’s glugging water to keep a handle on her past addictions.

While Skye isn’t ever completely sympathetic, Scott does imbue her with some much-needed personality, and you’re intrigued to see where her story goes.

Rosemarie DeWitt as Skye’s mother

Rosemarie DeWitt in 'Smile 2'. Photo: Paramount Pictures.

DeWitt has a somewhat thankless character to play in the pushy but charismatic stage mother who loves her daughter but also has a driving interest in keeping the cash flow going. Yet the actor does the best she can with a small role and is creepily convincing later in the movie when Skye begins to see increasingly dark visions.

Peter Jacobson as Morris

Peter Jacobson in 'Smile 2'. Photo: Paramount Pictures.

As a character with a connection to one of the entity’s past victims, Morris has a personal stake in taking it down –– and might just have come up with a way to do so. While Jacobson is mostly tasked with delivering exposition, he does it well and is believable.

Supporting cast

Miles Gutierrez Riley in 'Smile 2'. Photo: Paramount Pictures.

Much of the rest of the cast are playing smaller supporting roles, but a few do make an impact. Dylan Gelula is good value as Gemma, one of Skye’s friends who has been estranged from her for a year or so while the pop star, after suffering serious injuries from a car accident, dived into drugs and drink. There’s a sparky interplay between the two women and their shared history is suitably evoked through dialogue alone.

Miles Gutierrez-Riley also works well as Jacob, an assistant to Skye and her mother who provides the majority of the laughs with which Finn leavens the horror. And spare a thought for the various, mostly uncredited people who must sport wide, creepy smiles as the different incarnations of the demonic presence.

Final Thoughts

(Right) Naomi Scott in 'Smile 2'. Photo: Paramount Pictures.

While it does try to play with the format a little, Finn here mostly plays the hits, albeit with a nice line in understanding what made ‘Smile’ work. It’s not a perfect horror movie, occasionally relying on lazy scare tactics, but it’s a worthwhile follow-up to the original and one that also has a nice line in self-aware laughter to keep things interesting.

While we won’t directly discuss how it all ends, the finale does posit some interesting questions for where the world of ‘Smile’ could go next –– and we’d be interested in seeing exactly how the writer/director gets himself out of the corner into which he’s seemingly painted himself.

‘Smile 2’ receives 7 out of 10 stars.

What’s the story of ‘Smile 2’?

About to embark on a new world tour, global pop sensation Skye Riley (Naomi Scott) begins experiencing increasingly terrifying and inexplicable events. Overwhelmed by the escalating horrors and the pressures of fame, Skye is forced to face her dark past to regain control of her life before it spirals out of control.