Smile 2—A Sequel Worth a Scream

Smile 2 picks up right where its predecessor left off, diving deeper into the haunting world of psychological horror. The movie is a chilling addition to the Smile franchise and it blows the door wide open on the possibility of further Smile movies. 

The performances in the film are fantastic. Naomi Scott, who plays troubled pop star Skye Riley, offers a horrifying portrayal that captivates the viewer. Scott gives an incredibly complex performance that slowly builds as Riley descends into madness. Scott’s star power shines through during the film’s tense climax; speaking from personal experience, there were times her performance became so intense that the friends I viewed the movie with had to remove themselves from the theater. 

The plot moves quickly as the Smile monster slowly overtakes Riley’s psyche. The movie features a host of twists that will leave the viewer questioning what is reality and what Riley simply imagines. The execution with which these twists are achieved is fresh and adds a new dimension of terror to the already horrifying movie. I was surprised by the movie’s implementation of human trauma as a means of furthering the story. I went into the movie under the notion that horror films can’t have any sort of deeper meaning, and are simply made for entertainment purposes; Smile 2 proved me wrong. By exploring themes of trauma and guilt, the movie is able to connect with audiences on a deeper level while adding an additional layer of dread to the film-watching experience. 

Smile 2 is an utterly terrifying addition to the Smile franchise. The movie is bolstered by an excellent lead performance by actress Naomi Scott. The use of jump scares and twists adds an effective level of terror to the movie. While I won’t spoil the ending, I will say that it will leave viewers equally horrified and intrigued about the possibility of more Smile movies.