A Sinister Sequel: “Smile 2” takes the best parts of the first movie and gives the audience an even better psychological horror

In the eerie genre of horror, sequels often struggle to match the sheer terror of their predecessors. But “Smile 2” is a sequel that not only improved from the original but the ending also sets up the possibility of a spine-chilling threequel that could do something the franchise has never seen before. 

The Smile franchise follows victims who are possessed by the Smile entity—a violent demonic being that feeds off of the trauma of its victims, tormenting them to sustain itself. That is until they eventually kill themselves in front of a witness, who will then inherit the smile curse. 

While the original “Smile” was a chilling exploration of fear and psychological anguish, its sequel expands on this foundation with a mind-warping narrative and unique character development. If you thought the first film was terrifying, brace yourself—“Smile 2” redefines what it means to be afraid.

From the moment the annoying theater previews end, “Smile 2” envelops viewers in a sinister atmosphere, skillfully blending bloodcurdling scares with plot twists that stick with you long after the final scene. 

The opening scene sets the dark and unsettling tone with an immediate murder and certainly weeds out anyone with a weak stomach. The film picks up where its predecessor left off, reintroducing the audience to the “Smile” entity as the detective Joel, played by Kyle Gallner, trying to get rid of his curse. Let’s just say he’s unsuccessful.

The movie jumps to one year later and Sky Riley, played by Naomi Scott, enters the scene. She’s a pop star trying to make a comeback after getting in a car accident under the influence. Riley eventually gets the Smile curse after witnessing her infected drug dealer kill himself. 

There were certainly some limitations and how much the sequel could change from the first movie because the concept of the curse had to stay the same, but Director Parker Finn’s choice of Riley, a prominent public figure seen by all to be the main victim of a demonic spirit, was a unique twist. 

The audience now gets to see Riley try to stay sane while possessed and preparing for a national tour. This definitely raises the stakes compared to Dr. Rose Cotter in the first movie, a simple psychiatrist who was the main victim.

Scott’s performance as Riley was the foundation for this movie’s success. She portrays Riley’s vulnerability and anger as she is grasping for control of her life, and Scott’s performance sells every single scene.

It’s impossible to look away from her, and at times, I found myself not even feeling fear for Riley but pure pity because of how raw Scott’s performance was. Finn likely didn’t intend the pity, but it does create a deeper experience for the audience when they actually care about the victim.

Despite Scott’s brilliant acting and the classic heart attack jump scare, the plot became predictable very quickly, and by about halfway through the ending was clear. Or so I thought.

Riley is a very unreliable narrator since at times the demon is causing hallucinations, but the predictable plot lures the audience into a false sense of understanding what’s real and what’s not. But this predictability was a masterful trap because, by the end of the movie, there’s really no place where you can draw the line for when the Smile entity is actually in control. 

The movie also ends on a critical cliffhanger that could lead to endless opportunities in the next movie, and possibly transform the franchise itself. It’s a mind-warping experience that elevates the movie past the horror and jump scares, making the audience actually analyze the plot in a way that “Smile” never did.