Review: Smile 2
It's The Last Thing You'll See
INTRODUCTION
This is a quick review of the newly released film Smile 2. Keep in mind this is but one of the many movies I watch every year, and that whatever initial grade I come up for this film could change for better or worse with time. To better keep up to date with both my thoughts on other movies and if my feelings on this film changed, follow me on Letterboxd.
I’d also appreciate it greatly if you spread the word about the newsletter to any family or friends who would love to have film reviews, classic movie lists, and Oscars projections delivered straight to their inbox.
THE PLOT
Via Letterboxd: About to embark on a new world tour, global pop sensation Skye Riley 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 control.
QUICK REVIEW
Back in 2022, Smile became a breakout horror hit for Paramount. Not only did it perform exceptionally well at the box office, but its marketing campaign (most notably, paying actors to eerily smile behind home plate at MLB playoff games) was a stroke of genius by their PR team. The film hinted at themes of mental health, telling a spooky tale about a woman spiraling into madness as a demonic spirit fed off her mental distress. While I appreciated the film for setting up some intriguing lore for potential sequels, I felt that by the end it left a lot of narrative possibilities unexplored. Upon first viewing, I gave it a straight up grade of B.
Now, two years later, we have Smile 2. This time, our protagonist shifts from a mental health professional to a pop singer - a move the film utilizes effectively through vibrant costumes and striking set designs, particularly during the concert rehearsal scenes. The soundtrack, too, feels authentic, capturing the essence of pop music in a way that complements the narrative.
Naomi Scott takes on the lead role, and to be honest, this might be her best performance to date. Her range is impressive, and there were times I found her almost unrecognizable in the role. Her portrayal of the protagonist’s mental unraveling in the glare of celebrity fame adds an emotional depth that elevates the film beyond its flaws (which I’ll touch on shortly). The film's examination of how the pressures of fame can deteriorate mental health is handled in a way that makes her plight deeply sympathetic.
On a technical level, Smile 2 is a step up from its predecessor. The production values are higher, the cinematography feels more refined, reminiscent of what you might expect from an A24 or Neon produced horror flick, and the score is haunting and well-utilized. Director Parker Finn, who helmed the first film, really upped his game here, delivering a more polished and suspenseful directorial effort. The gore and scares are effective, although there are some instances of noticeable CGI that took me out of the movie a few times. Still, from a purely technical standpoint, this sequel surpasses the original.
However, I do have two significant criticisms:
First, the film leans into comedic moments that feel jarring and out of place, disrupting the overall tone. While my audience laughed during these scenes, I felt like humor undermined the severity of the protagonist's mental anguish. Perhaps the intention was to embrace a bit of camp, but for me, these shifts in tone detracted from the experience.
My second major issue is with the story, or rather, the lack of progression in the mythology that was hinted at in the first film. Despite the original hinting at rich lore, Smile 2 does little to expand on the demonic entity’s mystery that drives the plot. Aside from suggesting a possible way to stop it, the film adds no new information about this sinister force. The finale feels repetitive and predictable, rehashing elements from the first movie without advancing the narrative in any meaningful way. Given the film's length (which was a bit overlong if you ask me), there was plenty of opportunity to explore the lore further, but instead, we’re given a slightly altered version of what we saw in the original.
Overall, Smile 2 excels in terms of performance and direction, surpassing the first film in many technical aspects. However, from a story perspective, it fails to introduce anything new or compelling, leaving little to anticipate in a potential third installment. While I suspect audiences will enjoy it as much as the first, I worry that this burgeoning franchise is in danger of repeating itself rather than diving deeper into the mystery it has to offer. As much as I appreciate the technical achievements, the sequel didn’t fully justify its existence on a narrative level. My initial grade for Smile 2 is a mid tier grade of B-. If there’s going to be a Smile 3, it’s time to break new ground with this horror villain Paramount has on its hands.
INITIAL GRADING
