As a film enthusiast who has spent countless hours immersed in the world of horror and supernatural cinema, I must admit that the “Smile” franchise has left an indelible mark on me. The way director Parker Finn masterfully weaves together human psychology with terrifying supernatural elements is nothing short of captivating.
SPOILER ALERT: This story contains spoilers for “Smile 2,” now in theaters.
Parker Finn, the creator behind 2022’s terrifying success “Smile” and its recently released follow-up “Smile 2,” has amplified one of the most iconic horror concepts in recent times for the sequel. In this installment, tormented pop sensation Skye Riley (played by Naomi Scott) starts to doubt her world as she’s plagued by progressively disturbing and violent visions. Finn shared insights with EbMaster on crafting a film centered around a music icon, the chilling finale, and potential future installments.
How did you come up with the idea for “Smile 2”? It’s such a drastically different story than “Smile.”
As a passionate cinephile, I pondered how to surprise the viewers with our sequel’s direction. The initial film I wrote and directed was intended to stand alone, without any preconceived notions for a follow-up at that moment. I’ve seen too many sequels made for the wrong or cynical reasons, and if I were to ask viewers to invest their time again, I wanted to provide an unexpected and innovative experience. During the first month after its release, my mind was abuzz with ideas, but I discarded them all because they seemed to be rushed or predictable paths to take.
As a devoted cinephile, I yearned for a character that would not only captivate me thematically and emotionally but also bring something fresh to the story and the universe it was set in. That’s when a bolt of inspiration struck – the concept of Skye Riley, a global pop sensation. It felt like taking an immense risk, a daring move that no one would anticipate, yet it was a world I found irresistibly intriguing: The idea of someone so renowned and constantly in the public eye, who must maintain a flawless persona, all while hiding the turmoil brewing behind the scenes.
I’ve been examining some of these semi-divine female figures we’ve idolized: Where is the genuine human in them? You see, Taylor Swift can’t always be Taylor Swift. This intriguing perspective caught my attention. Moreover, I wanted to avoid depicting it in gloomy basements or drug-ridden individuals, or anything of that nature. Instead, the realm of a pop star is glamorous, flashy, and sparkling – it should be enjoyable. The question then became, “Can I portray this world truthfully while still creating an atmosphere that’s cold, unsettling, and eerily lonely?” This concept felt compelling to me as a starting point.
It was reported that you got an $11 million budget bump compared to the first film, but “Smile 2” feels even more epic in scope than that amount allows for. How were you able to create such a decadent glimpse into this pop star world while still helming a modestly budgeted film?
One of the major hurdles we faced during the production of the movie was figuring out how to make it work effectively. When I presented my idea to Paramount, they seemed quite surprised by the scale of it initially. However, their next question was, “So, how are you planning on making this happen?” They ended up backing me and providing support, which was truly remarkable. I felt it was essential to establish credibility with the pop star and her environment, so we approached it with great care. I didn’t want it to seem like an afterthought or a mere side note. Instead, I wanted it to be deeply integrated into the narrative: this is her reality, this is her world. I found the process of inviting audiences into that world incredibly intriguing.
A couple of things about how we managed that — first of all, I brought the same creative team back from the first film. They are all incredible artists, but also we’ve become close friends and collaborators and sort of have this shorthand. It’s a weird thing to say about a studio horror film sequel, but this was genuinely a passion project for all of us. We knew we were going to pour a 10-gallon movie into a 5-gallon bucket. So it became about, “How can we very cleverly use the resources that we do have?” It’s all about being incredibly specific, and having a very strong plan going in. I’m sort of an obsessive prepper, as far as wanting to be able to wrap my arms around the movie. We knew we were going to walk this razor wire, but we’re really pleased with how we pulled it off.
It’s quick, but at one point it sounds like one of the characters says, “This is gonna ruin the tour.” Was that an intentional reference to a certain real-life pop star who recently got in trouble?
On set, we frequently used that particular joke. While the exact phrasing may differ, it’s fascinating to see how memes have emerged around it, and I really enjoy seeing that people caught on to its humor.
Going into spoiler territory, this movie has such a wild ending. Do you think that everyone at the final Skye Riley show is now infected with The Smile?
I think you’re asking the right question.
In this movie, we learn a bit more about the backstory of the demon. If you film more chapters, will you go even deeper into the lore?
I’ve given a lot of thought to The Smiler, which plays a crucial role in the film as it delves into the darkest recesses of characters’ minds. What makes it so intriguing is that it’s tailored specifically to each individual it interacts with, feeding off their deepest fears and insecurities. Everything we learned about it from the first movie was only a glimpse into its behavior with Rose; for instance, the way it operates with Skye could be entirely different. There’s a continuity, but it also has some surprising new aspects that we didn’t know about before.
Often, I find that less is more when it comes to elements like mythology in horror movies, particularly concerning supernatural aspects. Primarily, I’m captivated by the character narratives. I appreciate the eerie happenings at night, yet I use these supernatural occurrences as a means to delve into human terror, the psychological turmoil. However, I also believe that excessive explanation can diminish the fear factor, as giving it a name and origin tends to make it less frightening for the audience. I think the fear of the unknown is far more terrifying, but I also believe in providing hints to keep the audience engaged. These are like small treats they can enjoy along the way, which I find delightful – but when answering questions or closing a door, I aim to open two more.
Have you thought about what a third movie might look like?
I’m thrilled about unveiling this project initially. It has numerous intriguing possibilities, and from a high-level perspective, I’d aim to ensure that if there are additional tales to share, we continue to surprise in our approach, much like how “Smile” transformed into “Smile 2.” The concept of each sequel outdoing the last in terms of absurdity and unpredictability is intriguing. At some point, I’d want us to ask ourselves, “How on earth did we end up here with ‘Smile’?” To me, that sense of surprise and progression feels exhilarating. Above all, I’d ensure that each return offers something meaningful and significant.
You’re attached to write and direct a remake of the 1981 cult classic “Possession.” What can you tease about your vision for that movie?
As a devoted cinephile, I can’t contain my excitement about the upcoming movie remake of “Possession,” one of my all-time favorites. Instead of merely replicating the original, we aim to create a tribute that pays homage while also pushing the boundaries. This isn’t just a sequel; it’s a spiritual successor that engages in a dynamic conversation with its predecessor. The raw energy, edge-of-your-seat tension, and unhinged intensity of the original will be preserved. We won’t sugarcoat or sanitize this film for mass appeal. It’s for the diehard fans who cherish the original, and I can’t wait to share it with them.
Read More
- W PREDICTION. W cryptocurrency
- AEVO PREDICTION. AEVO cryptocurrency
- AAVE PREDICTION. AAVE cryptocurrency
- PRCL PREDICTION. PRCL cryptocurrency
- Top Gift Ideas for Your League of Legends-Obsessed BF on a Budget
- WIF PREDICTION. WIF cryptocurrency
- PENDLE PREDICTION. PENDLE cryptocurrency
- GBP JPY PREDICTION
- SHX PREDICTION. SHX cryptocurrency
- LTC PREDICTION. LTC cryptocurrency
2024-10-19 02:17