Smile 2 is here! This movie picks up a week after the first film’s events. The smile curse moves from person to person. It eventually finds a new host in a pop superstar named Sky Riley. Sky is a recovering drug addict. She faces the challenges of fame. But things get worse with the smile curse ruining her life.
The Journey of the Franchise
Let me start by saying this: I owe an apology to the Smile franchise. When I first saw the trailer for the original Smile movie, I thought it was going to be just another cliché horror film. You know, the typical Blumhouse kind of movie with creepy smiles and boring jump scares. I doubted it would be interesting. But I was wrong. The first Smile movie surprised me. It was unsettling and well-made. It took a simple idea and made it something special.
Expectations for Smile 2
Even after being impressed by the first film, I felt the same doubts before watching Smile 2. The trailers gave me that familiar feeling of “not sure if this will be good.” But I wanted to see a good horror movie in October. Plus, Smile 2 was one of the only horror films in theaters this month. So, I went in with low expectations again.
A Surprising Sequel
To my surprise, Smile 2 is one of those sequels that surpasses the original! It’s not an exaggeration. There is so much to admire about this film. First, I want to give props to Parker Finn, the director. His direction in Smile 2 is a big leap from the first movie. It’s a well-directed horror film. It captures the anxiety and stress of having the smile curse attached to you perfectly.
Jump Scares Done Right
Now, let’s talk about the jump scares. Yes, there are some in this movie, and a few actually got to me! Jump scares are often seen as lazy in horror films. But here, they are well-crafted. A good director knows how to manipulate the audience’s expectations. You can often predict a jump scare, but this film plays with that idea. It takes away the cheap feeling that some jump scares have.
Naomi Scott’s Performance
Another highlight of Smile 2 is Naomi Scott’s performance. It’s a shame that horror movies rarely get awards attention. But I believe Naomi delivered an Oscar-worthy performance. Her character goes through a lot. She battles with her past and the pressures of fame. It’s heartbreaking to watch her life fall apart while no one believes her due to her history.
Character Development
Smile 2 is not just about scary smiles. It’s about a girl struggling with her reality. The film does an excellent job of character development. It runs for about two hours. While it feels a little long, it helps you understand the character better. You grow attached to her and root for her to overcome the curse.
The Gore Factor
I was also surprised by the amount of gore in this movie. It may not be as gory as some other recent horror films, but it has its moments. There are some unsettling special effects and makeup work. The trailer does not do justice to the actual unsettling feel of the film.
Humor in Horror
Another interesting aspect is the humor. Smile 2 has more humor than the first film. It mixes humor with scares, which adds a refreshing layer to the movie. This balance is hard to find in horror films, but Parker Finn seems to nail it. He’s a director to watch in the future!
Critique and Conclusion
Now, I do have some negatives. The film runs a bit too long. Some scares feel repetitive from the first movie. Also, if you didn’t like the first Smile movie, this one probably won’t change your mind. I also missed Kyle Gallner in this sequel. His character had a solid opening sequence, but it would have been nice to see more of him.
On the other hand, the ending sets up exciting possibilities for Smile 3. Overall, I’m giving Smile 2 three stars for action. There are many horror sequences, but also slower moments that build atmosphere. Some might find these slow parts boring, but I enjoyed the character development.
For comedy, I’ll give it three stars as well. The humor works well throughout the film. There’s a particularly funny sequence involving a man and his underwear that had the audience laughing. For drama, I’ll give it four stars. The film explores themes of substance abuse and the pressure of fame.
Finally, for horror, I’ll give it four and a half stars. The smile curse creates a sense of anxiety and suspense. You never know what’s real and what’s fake in Sky’s life. Overall, Smile 2 is one of the better horror movies released this year. It’s definitely worth watching in theaters!
