Smile 2 is Parker Finn’s newest installment of the horror franchise. This time, the menacing smiling demon shifts its focus from the previously targeted small-town individuals to a recovering pop star.

“She’s so lucky. She’s a star, but she cry, cry, cries in her lonely heart”

Naomi Scott (Aladdin Live-Action) plays Sky Riley, a recovering addict grappling with the devastating loss of her boyfriend (Ray Nicholson). Following a tragic accident that claimed his life and left her fighting for her own, Sky embarks on a comeback tour. So, as she navigates the complexities of her pain and addiction, she finds herself at the home of her former dealer (Lukas Gage). There the smiling demon is passed onto her after he brutally kills himself with a curl bar weight. Now, she must work to mend broken relationships, and try to keep her sanity and life while trying to deliver the tour of a lifetime.

Smile 2 intensifies the brutality

When going into a horror sequel the goal is to avoid simply repeating previous themes while enhancing the overall experience. But, how do you do that with the same demon going after more people? That’s where Smile 2 struggles a bit. The storyline, while under the guise of this Britney Spears-esque popstars rehashes the story of the first film, but with a new face.

Naomi Scott delivers a remarkable performance as Sky Riley. The entire film falls on her shoulders and she carries it masterfully selling the perfect modern popstar. While her character struggles you’re constantly rooting for her, even when her darkest secrets are revealed.

Where Smile 2 continues to shine is with the amped-up horror factor. Throughout the film, the brutality of the smiling demon is intense. The introduction of unsettling characters such as fans, friends, coworkers, and dancers, along with the influence of technology, significantly heightens the horror elements. Smile 2 does not allow for any escape, even in the comments section. The depictions of death are graphic and unsettling, leaving a lasting impression.

Til Death Do You Part

There’s a little bit of extra lore added to the smiling demon in Smile 2. Namely, how do you kill it? A theory is explored throughout the film: unalive yourself on your terms. In the end, the writing takes the viewer on a journey that left me questioning the reality of everything I watched.

In the past, my primary concern with the first film was its absence of hope. While not every film is required to convey a message, it’s inevitable when addressing a subject as significant as mental health. I wasn’t seeking a happy ending; rather, I was looking for a glimmer of hope instead of being told that overcoming my struggles was impossible. The sentiment conveyed is that one is a burden, with the suggestion to consider self-harm. To my disappointment, the outcome is the same in Smile 2.

Ultimately, art is a matter of personal interpretation. This particular perspective is challenging for me to accept.

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