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A sequel was unavoidable following Smile’s surprising success in 2022, when the movie made over $217 million on a meager $17 million budget. And Smile 2 delivers in every possible way—pushing boundaries while deepening the chilling mystery that made the first film such a sensation. Directed by Parker Finn, who returns to helm the sequel, Smile 2 is a masterclass in escalating tension, character development, and making a horror movie feel fresh and unsettling. If you were a fan of the first film, you’ll find much to appreciate in this highly anticipated follow-up. But even if Smile left you cold, Smile 2 might just win you over with its sharp execution and emotional depth.
What makes Smile 2 worth watching?
The premise of Smile 2 is deceptively simple but terrifying: Skye Riley (Naomi Scott), a pop star constantly under the scrutinizing gaze of her adoring fans, becomes entangled with the sinister Smile Entity. The original Smile was about an unnerving smile that spread like a supernatural virus, eventually leading its victims to a gruesome end. Smile 2 expands on this lore, giving viewers not only more scares but more depth. The film combines elements of trauma, self-control, and addiction into a harrowing exploration of vulnerability and survival. Skye’s journey is filled with personal demons as much as it is filled with external threats, making her an incredibly empathetic and relatable protagonist.
The cast: Naomi Scott shines as the scream queen
One of the standout aspects of Smile 2 is Naomi Scott’s performance as Skye Riley. Scott, best known for her roles in Power Rangers and Aladdin, is given an opportunity to truly shine in this horror sequel. Her portrayal of Skye, a woman dealing with a terrifying curse while also grappling with fame and inner turmoil, is a revelation. The nuanced performance elevates the film, making her one of the most compelling scream queens to emerge in recent years. Skye’s portrayal of vulnerability amidst supernatural chaos is a perfect contrast to the original protagonist, Sosie Bacon’s Dr. Rose Cotter, whose role was more subdued in comparison.
Alongside Scott, the supporting cast adds another layer of intrigue and tension. Rosemarie DeWitt and Dylan Gelula portray Skye’s estranged mother and friend, respectively, both of whom help flesh out her emotional journey. Lukas Gage and Ray Nicholson round out the cast, playing Skye’s dealer and ex-boyfriend, whose interactions with her become increasingly unsettling as the Smile Entity begins to affect them. Their performances, like Scott’s, are unsettling in the best way—proof that Smile 2 knows how to build a sense of dread not only through jump scares but through human interactions.
The plot: A deeper dive into the smile entity
In the first Smile, we learned that the Smile Entity was something far older and more insidious than it initially seemed. Smile 2 takes this idea and blows it up, turning the mythology into something far more expansive and terrifying. The Smile Entity is not just a supernatural virus; it’s a force that works on a much deeper level, manipulating its victims in unsettling ways.
Skye’s life is already complicated by the constant pressure of being a pop star, but when the Smile Entity begins to latch onto her, she’s thrust into a world where she can trust no one. As she faces the entity’s growing manipulations, her descent into paranoia mirrors her struggles with addiction and mental health. Much like the original, Smile 2 explores psychological horror alongside physical horror, making the terror feel all the more real.
The film also delves deeper into the curse’s origins, providing more context while leaving enough open-ended questions for future sequels. As Skye races against time to break free from the curse, the tension becomes unbearable, with a particularly intense sequence in a car with her partner Paul (Ray Nicholson) being a standout moment in the film’s exploration of anxiety and trauma.
Why one should watch Smile 2
Smile 2 isn’t just a continuation of the original film’s story—it’s a sequel that builds upon the groundwork laid by its predecessor while creating something unique and terrifying in its own right. The expansion of the Smile Entity lore, coupled with Naomi Scott’s standout performance, makes it a must-watch for horror fans. The film successfully elevates the stakes, both in terms of horror and character development, leaving audiences glued to their seats. While it does take a slight misstep with some forced exposition, it more than makes up for it with its emotionally charged narrative and relentless tension.
If you loved Smile for its bizarre blend of supernatural horror and psychological suspense, Smile 2 will feel like a satisfying extension of that, providing more chills, more depth, and a whole new level of terror. Don’t miss it—Smile 2 will make you grin, but not in the way you might expect.