Horror fans have much to look forward to at the cinema for Halloween 2024. "Terrifier 3" is performing well, and Paramount Pictures is releasing a sequel to the popular 2022 horror film "Smile". Parker Finn, who adapted his short film "Laura Hasn't Slept" for the first film, is returning to write and direct the sequel.
About to embark on a new world tour, global pop sensation Skye Riley (Naomi Scott) begins experiencing increasingly terrifying and inexplicable events. Overwhelmed by the escalating horrors and the pressures of fame, Skye is forced to face her dark past to regain control of her life before it spirals.
Out of respect for the fans, I want to do my best to keep this review spoiler-free so I won't reveal how the curse gets latched onto Skye. However, the trailers didn't spoil the reveal, and how it's handled makes perfect sense. "Smile" 2 opens up with a bang, and the audience quickly learns the fate of the first film's only returning character, Joel (Kyle Gallner).
Finn wastes no time setting up the premise for the sequel when we meet Skye Riley. She's on a PR tour following a rehab stay after a car accident. Within the first twenty minutes, I realized that Finn wanted the film's sequel to serve as an allegory to the pitfalls of celebrity and addiction.
Naomi Scott delivers a strong performance, portraying the right amount of paranoia required for this type of film. Director Parker Finn and Scott collaborate effectively to give her character a meaningful storyline, avoiding the temptation to make her a stereotypical diva. Scott's portrayal here shows a new depth as her character delves into dark places and loses her grip on reality.
The primary supporting cast for the film includes Rosemarie DeWitt as Elizabeth Riley, Skye's mother and manager; Miles Gutierrez-Riley as Joshua; Skye's assistant Peter Jacobson as Morris, a mysterious male nurse Raúl Castillo as Darius, head of Skye's record company, and Dylan Gelula as Gemma, Skye's best friend. As for the horror in the film, there are some jump scares, but like the approach he took in the first film, Finn focuses more on the psychological. However, in true sequel fashion, the gore factor is upped.
Kudos to Finn for using wide shots again and bringing back composer Cristobal Tapia de Veer, who once again provides a haunting score. Charlie Saroff also returns as a cinematographer and does excellent work creating a spooky first film. I want to inform viewers that "Smile 2" runs longer than the first film, nut to balls to the wall third act, and downright diabolical ending more than make up for the length.
While some horror purists felt that the first film followed the plot beats of "It Follows", "The Ring", "Oculus", and "Final Destination" too closely, the sequel easily tops it and stands on its own two feet.
Final Grade: A-
"Smile 2" opens in theaters tomorrow
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