It’s Halloween month, and horror fans are on the lookout for the next big scare.
Produced by Paramount Pictures, “Smile 2” is the only major supernatural horror from Hollywood hitting theatres currently, so the pressure’s on to scare.
And if you’re wondering whether it tops the first film – well, let’s just say fans of 2022’s “Smile” are in for a treat.
If you missed the original (or need a refresher), here’s the gist: a supernatural force latches onto its victims, haunting them with eerie, unsettling smiles. The curse drives them to madness before forcing them to die by suicide. The catch? Someone has to witness it for the curse to spread.
It’s a unique premise, and while the first film got audiences talking, it didn’t leave everyone raving. But if you were into it back then, you’re going to like this one even more.
In “Smile 2,” director Parker Finn has outdone himself. While the first film was a solid debut, this one feels like what he was trying to make all along – but now with the budget to do it right.
Audiences are introduced to Skye Riley (Naomi Scott), a pop star trying to stage a comeback after a year out of the spotlight.
A car accident had taken her boyfriend’s life, left her injured, and threw her into a battle with addiction. Now clean, she’s preparing for her big return with a concert – until the curse finds her.
As seen in the trailer, Riley’s life takes a disturbing turn when she visits Lewis, a drug-dealing acquaintance (played by Lukas Gage).
Unbeknownst to her, he’s already cursed (through events revealed in the film’s opening scenes) and gruesomely bashes his own face right before her eyes. What follows is a downward spiral of horrific visions and Skye’s slow unravelling as the entity takes hold of her mind.
The setup is clever. Skye’s public persona means she can’t exactly tell the world she’s being haunted by smile-monsters as it would be a PR nightmare.
Scott’s performance in this film is truly sensational. If you only know her as Princess Jasmine from “Aladdin” (2019), get ready for a shock. She flawlessly portrays a woman on the edge, haunted by trauma, fame, and an entity that thrives on her fear. Her portrayal makes the curse feel personal, like it’s a manifestation of her inner demons.
Now, let’s get to what really matters: the horror.
The scares are effective, and Finn knows how to play with audience expectations. Hallucinations blur the line between reality and madness, and Finn expertly fakes you out with sequences that feel real – until they’re not. The jump scares aren’t cheap, and even classic setups like mirror scares are executed in fresh, unpredictable ways.
The film’s standout moment? A scene where Skye envisions her backup dancers grinning and advancing on her like a flash-mob from hell. It’s creepy, unsettling, and easily one of the most memorable scares in the film.
And, warning: this film is not for the squeamish. While the gore isn’t over-the-top like “Evil Dead,” it’s still enough to make you wince. A fist shoved down someone’s throat? That scene alone might have you reconsidering your popcorn.
Visually, the film is stunning, with eerie camera angles that pull you into Skye’s nightmare. The sound design and score also deserve praise, heightening the tension.
If there’s a downside, it’s the lack of explanation behind the entity. Just like the first film, “Smile 2” leaves the origins of the curse vague, which might frustrate some viewers. A little more backstory would have added depth to the film. But this doesn’t detract too much from the overall experience.
And without giving away spoilers, this film proves the age-old adage: the last 10 minutes make a movie. The ending ties everything together, making the constant twists and turns worth it.
In the end, “Smile 2” surpasses its predecessor. It’s bigger, scarier, and manages to deliver fresh twists in the supernatural horror genre. If you’re a fan of psychological horror, this one’s a must-watch – but maybe not if you’ve just eaten.
As of press time, ‘Smile 2’ is screening in cinemas nationwide.