Smile 2 aims to expand on the original’s message, core ideas, and its aesthetics. In contrast to several horror movies’ second parts, which seem to be a diluted version of their first part, Smile 2 sees the first part as a base to expand on, making it even more complex, interesting, and chilling. The story does resolve the loose ends created by the conclusion of Smile, but soon enough it finds its way and ends with a scene that offers plenty of opportunities to build on for the next part of the film (depending on its success, of course).
Normally, horror movie sequels are labeled as strive to extend the already existing properties without the care for extending the plot. Fortunately, Smile 2 is not a sequel that has to undergo that same criticism. Yes, it’s too long arguably about 15-20 minutes too long, and a tad self-indulgent at points, but it has this kind of impact visually and aurally that’s hard to shake off. The film has a power that takes the audience into the center of this cyclone of chaos that is bound to leave them confused as they will be unable to distinguish what is real and what is simply imaginary. Inside the hallucinations, there exist nightmares, hallucinated recollections, and relived memories. It’s somewhat monotonous at certain points but it sets the mood in which deception is everywhere. At times, Inception was in my head although it’s clear that the two films have lots of differences (although the Nolan film is a more complete package) in the same way, both seem to have a basic premise on the fragile and transient state we refer to as reality.
The storyline kicks off with Joel (a returning Kyle Gallner) reviving the Smile Curse that he bore witness to Rose Cotter’s suicide. And as Mark stretches contortion-like between his legs his identity coupled with the already other stuffing mess is nearly indiscernible.
Time is short for him, but he finds a way to avoid his death which seems to be prewritten in his stars. However, that doesn’t work, and eventually, the Curse finds another host, Lewis Fregoli (Lukas Gage) who is low-level drug dealer and has been a schoolmate of the superstar singer Skye Riley (Naomi Scott). When she calls Lewis to buy some Vicodin to numb her back pain, he has gone over the cliff. The curse seems to have fondered onto when she pummels herself to death smashing barbells in front of Skye.
Suffering from the effects of a horrific car accident along with the death of her boyfriend, Paul Hudson (Ray Nicholson who is Jack’s son and he had a smile to remember too), Skye is without a doubt a well-known figure. Almost a year later, she has physically healed, completed drug rehabilitation, and is attempting to begin her career with a new tour after an automobile accident that landed her in rehab. Meeting the Curse in the film started her life spiral out of control. Close to the first half of the movie, a lot of people are staring at her with a peering grin and she desperately tries to blend herself in an increasingly unfriendly environment. Lastly, she meets up with a nurse Morris (Paul Jacobson) who seems to provide a reasonable explanation about why things have been happening the way they are and may even have a solution for that.
To begin with the writing of Parker Finn, the sequel takes a no-nonsense approach and simply puts it exactly how it is. And he means it. It seems that Stranger 2 is more somber, nihilistic, and a hell of a lot darker even when compared to the first part which was noticeable enough for the viewers. The trippiness has certainly increased by a considerable degree too. I know that post-credits scenes set up the events better in hindsight, but I get that during the movie itself it is hard to decide what is happening. Oh, and speaking of high points, you cannot disregard the eponymous role played by Naomi Scott. Despite the bleak prospects premised by her previous appearances, Something Will Survive In Space and The Pink Power Ranger, you have to give credit where it’s due, she delivers well here, and her character has quite many musical instances, singing includes.
Horror films require a fair share of bloodshed, and those who appreciate the Grand Guignol should enjoy their time with Smile 2 because it has a decent amount as well. Still, one doesn’t have to be a fountain of blood and bring a bucket of organs with them to be the most disturbing. Similar to the previous film, It’s strange how the film’s most disturbing elements are simply the deadpan expressions of people whom Skye meets at random, be it a young girl looking for her autograph or a mob that later tracks down the exhausted singer. Not to mention what she thinks seeing her reflection in the mirror,which causes her lips to be forcefully curled into a smile. Speaking of jump-scares, there could be a fair bit fewer than there are because most of them don’t feel very genuine. For example, the first one managed to give me a jolt but the rest felt too forced.
Something tells me that they won’t be able to win over more fans with Smile 2 than they gained with the first one (there are quite a number of them indeed considering that Smile grossed over $100M domestically) but for those who have seen Finn’s first film, they are likely to enjoy this one regardless. The all consuming intensity, which only gives in on very rare occasions, alongside great narrative scene setting compounds to make this film a better experience than its predecessor released in 2022.
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