Smile 2 is a sequel to Smile (2022) that takes the foundation of its predecessor and runs with it. Everything is amped up even further in this Psycho-Delic blend of gore, mind-bending cinematography by Charlie Sarroff, subversive psychological torment, and a hint of visually stunning body horror that I couldn’t help but be morbidly fascinated by thanks to the wonderful special effects and makeup team and Naomi Scott drinking the most water I’ve seen consumed by a mere mortal.
The story follows Skye Riley played by Naomi Scott, a pop singer with a troubled and unstable past trying to uncover the mystery of the smile curse that turns its victims suicidal after a week of causing horrific hallucinations in her mind, all while about to go on a comeback world tour.
Let’s talk performances. Naomi Scott as Skye Riley is a regular scream queen, an absolute natural in the field for having done mostly live-action cartoon remakes and music videos, she is also a dynamite singer in every song written for her character. Lukas Gage as the smile-cursed drug dealer who passes said curse to Skye was terrifying to watch in action as he bashes his own face in, truly perfect for the role he was given. As for Rosemary Dewitt as Elizabeth Riley (Skye’s uptight momager) Dylan Gelula as Gemma (Skye’s best friend) and Peter Jacobson as Morris who is the one who convinces Skye to try and lift the curse provides occasional tension-breaking comic relief which was a bit of a surprise in the moment, but a welcome one.
The character writing has taken a step up as well courtesy of the films director and sole writer, Parker Finn. I also enjoyed the decision to try a tortured pop star angle for the lead character of Skye Riley as opposed to the far more common psychologist character we see in Rose Cotter from Smile (2022), as it provides a very different and fresh perspective. In short Smile 2 is a proper sequel that takes the wonderfully macabre elements of Smile (2022) and goes wild.
