Parker Finn’s 2022 feature debut, Smile, was clearly inspired by chain-possession horror films like The Ring and It Follows, where a death curse transfers from one person to the next while the protagonist desperately tries to escape its grip.
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| Naomi Scott in 'Smile 2.' Paramount Pictures |
Despite its familiar concept, the film succeeded thanks to Finn's stylish direction and tension-filled atmosphere, combined with the unsettlingly simple method of the curse's transfer—a haunting smile. Made on a modest budget of $17 million, Smile earned over $200 million worldwide, practically guaranteeing a sequel.
Now, Smile 2 shifts the focus from Sosie Bacon's psychiatrist to Naomi Scott's Skye Riley, a global pop star burdened with trauma that the sinister entity preys upon. Unlike the original protagonist, whose professional insights gave her some advantage, Skye is a vulnerable mix of a Katy Perry-Lady Gaga type, already on edge.
The film delivers plenty of well-executed jump scares and grotesque imagery, leaning into an excessive style that aims to amplify the horror. With a credit for “monstrosity effects,” the sequel isn't hiding its intentions to go big and bold.
Fans of the original are likely to return, giving Paramount a potential edge at the Halloween box office. If Smile 2 turns out to be another success, the franchise may continue to expand, especially since the film ends hinting at an even larger outbreak of the curse.
The story picks up six days after the first film's events, with Joel (Kyle Gallner), a cop, haunted by his experiences. He attempts to rid himself of the curse in a chaotic pre-title sequence that sets the stage for more mayhem, affecting low-level dealer Lewis (Lukas Gage), whose fate underscores the film's dark humor as his remains are left in a sinister smile pattern.
Meanwhile, Skye is trying to rebuild her career after a devastating car crash that killed her boyfriend, Paul (Ray Nicholson), and led to a public spiral into substance abuse. Now sober and ready to start her comeback tour, she faces media scrutiny while grappling with physical pain and trauma.
As her rehearsals aggravate her injuries, Skye turns to her former dealer, Lewis, for help, only to witness his terrifying fate, which reignites her own fears.
Cinematographer Charlie Sarroff elevates the film's visuals with disorienting camera angles and reflective imagery that accentuate Skye's unraveling state of mind. The film’s lighting and eerie zoom-ins bring a hint of Brian De Palma's style, heightening the terror as Skye encounters twisted visions of familiar faces wearing the haunting smile.
Composer Cristobal Tapia de Veer’s score blends seamlessly with Dan Kenyon’s sound design, creating a soundscape filled with unsettling industrial noises that amplify the film's disturbing atmosphere. Scott excels in portraying Skye's inner turmoil, balancing her professional duties with the psychological burden of her past mistakes.
Despite Skye's deteriorating mental state, her mother Elizabeth (Rosemarie DeWitt) and manager keep pushing her to stay on schedule, leading to moments of dark humor, like Skye's constant consumption of Voss water. Her interactions with fans become tense, especially when an obsessive admirer and a sinister-looking preteen girl trigger her paranoia.
The film’s blurring of reality and hallucination grows weaker as the story progresses, making it challenging to stay fully engaged. However, some standout sequences, like Skye’s haunting vision of her dancers turning into twisted creatures, showcase Finn's creative flair.
As Skye tries to rid herself of the curse with the help of Morris (Peter Jacobson), the film escalates into blood-soaked chaos, losing some of the original’s grounded intensity.
Ultimately, while Smile 2 sacrifices some of the psychological tension for a more spectacular approach, Finn's visual direction and strong performances ensure that it remains an entertaining, albeit less chilling, experience.
The sequel confirms Finn’s talent for crafting a striking horror film, even if his storytelling could benefit from more restraint and focus. Horror fans will likely appreciate the film’s bold direction, leaving many with that signature smile once more.
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