I went into this film thinking this sequel would be another dour and sad extension of the first installment. Thankfully, that is not the case. Writer/director Parker Finn now has a sense of humor about his franchise, making this next chapter a more entertaining and fun experience, despite the film’s dark elements. Finn also wants to make a statement about the trappings of fame, and that celebrity status is not all it is cracked up to be. I laughed often, and the film actually has some effective scares too. While Smile 2 doesn’t necessarily change the world of horror, it wants to make it a fun and exciting cinematic experience.
Naomi Scott stars as mega pop star Skye Riley, a singer who is recovering from a traumatic auto accident that resulted from a period of serious substance abuse. As Skye prepares for a significant comeback, she begins experiencing some bizarre, seemingly supernatural, or psychological episodes that challenge her ability to maintain some semblance of sanity. She eventually discovers that her accident is connected with the death of someone cursed by a demon that preys on those hurting or despairing.
I was rather lukewarm about the first movie. While it had some interesting ideas, I felt that it was so derivative and too similar to other, better movies that it never truly set itself apart. However, with this second installment, Parker Finn seems more inspired to make his thematic material more relevant, amusing, and much more effective in delivering the jolts one would want from a horror film.
Naomi Scott does a solid job in portraying pop star Skye. During the course of the movie, she manages to reveal many facets of the character that feel genuine to the archetype. It helps that she is also a talented singer and capable of handling the stage presence her character demands as a major musical star. Everyone else in the cast performs well enough, but Scott keeps the movie focused, sometimes hilarious, and unnerving in all of the appropriate moments.
Smile 2 is a horror flick that I moderately recommend. I would not spend top dollar prices to watch it, but it is a movie that can be enjoyed as a matinee or through streaming at home.