‘Smile 2’ review: Horror hits a high note

The psychological jumpscares and an unnerving atmosphere of Smile 2 will have you grinning from ear to ear.

The concept of a Smile movie is easy for horror fans to understand. Start with a mysterious curse, add in a horrific tragedy that traumatizes an unsuspecting main character, throw in plenty of jumpscares, and mix in a dash of paranoia and fear. Oh, and we can’t forget the creepy people who stand and smile. Always silent, only smiling. Bring them together and you’ve created a horror movie monster ready to play off our fears of the unknown.

But unlike its 2022 predecessor, you knew what you were walking into with its sequel, Smile 2. That is, in its format specifically. However, Smile 2 takes what the original film did and grows it into a bigger and better concept. The sequel expands every psychological horror element, delivering it in a new setting that heightens the emotions on screen. And in turn, creating one of the best acting performances we’ve seen in a horror movie this year.

Smile 2 deviates from the confined settings of the franchise’s first entry, opting here for an invasive and public approach. Whereas the original film focused on a therapist, the sequel follows a pop superstar infected by the Entity. The latest victim is Skye Riley, played by Naomi Scott (Lemonade Mouth, Aladdin), a troubled pop star who is trying to make a comeback after a substance-fueled car crash. Skye’s recovery and relaunch are met with high expectations as everyone wants her to be successful again. However, her personal and physical demons begin to blend as the Entity rips her mind (and life) apart in front of the world.

A star is born

Smile 2 isn’t an ensemble piece per se; it propels forward through Skye’s POV with the people in her life. The momentum lives and dies through our connection to Skye. The success of Smile 2 comes from the tremendous acting job that Naomi Scott puts into the film. From the moment she’s getting interviewed by Drew Barrymore (in a surprising cameo), we’re pulled into her roller coaster journey. You can’t help but feel for her at every turn, like whenever the Entity appears or when someone in her life disregards her. Naomi Scott exudes Skye’s turbulent emotions from the start until she’s pushed to her breaking point.

Writer/director Parker Finn does an excellent job crafting a narrative influenced by pop culture and fame. News and rumors of celebrities who suffered troubles in the public eye are a mainstay on social and news sites. Names like Britney Spears, Justin Bieber, Whitney Houston, and Lindsay Lohan come to mind of those who splashed headlines in the past. Naomi Scott’s Skye Riley is the latest interpretation, pulling on the good and bad of what the music industry wants from its performers. Smile 2 captures the harrowing feeling of someone’s need for help being out-prioritized by the benefit they give to others.

The team behind the star

Part of Skye’s troubles come from all the people in her life who have affected her. For instance, the cold and uncaring demands from her stage mother Elizabeth (Rosemarie DeWitt), her drug dealer Lewis (Lukas Gage), and her strained friendship with her BFF Gemma (Dylan Gelula). Scott brilliantly channels Skye’s complicated history with these characters, especially as the Smile infection grows. In turn, the cast equally delivers strong performances throughout Skye’s journey, bouncing off energy ranging from indifference to terror.

One of the more interesting connections in Smile 2 comes from Skye’s trauma over the death of her ex-boyfriend, Paul Hudson (Ray Nicholson). Paul was the driver in Skye’s car crash, and he was a troubled actor who fueled her substance issues. Nicholson does a great job channeling the tumultuous energy of the couple in flashbacks, highlighting how toxic his character is. But it’s his eerie performance of the Entity that will leave viewers memorized. His creepy smile is terrifying, even on par with his father Jack Nicholson’s smile in 1980’s The Shining.)

A trick of the mind

When it comes to creepy, Smile 2 creates more chills and thrills than its predecessor. Everything feels heightened, from the surprising Entity jumpscares to the big climactic moments. You will be left unprepared for what psychological trick will come next. The Smile franchise does an excellent job of making us experience the same uneasy vibe that its main character goes through. Since Smile 2 dials the energy up, Skye’s traumatic journey packs a powerful horror punch. To give you an idea, I jumped a few times even as a long-time horror fan.

Without giving any major spoilers, there is one scene in particular mid-way through the movie that sticks with you. The Entity will be at peak creepiness, and its appearance in Skye’s apartment changes how the monster has tormented in the past. The slow movement of the Entity, the sharp editing cuts, and the choice of music create an unnerving atmosphere that harkens back to The Weeping Angels on Doctor Who. It’s just one of many scenes of sheer terror, but this scene made this a scary horror sequel to remember.

The bottom line

Smile 2 came ready to deliver an entry full of psychological terror and catchy songs. While it didn’t bring anything new to the horror space, it does expand the Smile franchise and grow it in the right direction. The sequel packs more mind tricks and it delivers a strong breakout performance by Naomi Scott. And with a shocking cliffhanger to wrap up the film, it’ll be interesting to see where the franchise goes next in the future.

Smile 2 is now playing in theaters everywhere. You can watch the trailer here.

Images courtesy of Paramount Pictures/Facebook/X. You can read more reviews by Justin Carreiro here.