As a cinephile with over three decades of watching horror films under my belt, I must confess that “Smile” (2022) left quite an impression on me. The sequel, “Smile 2”, however, feels like a shadow of its predecessor.
2022’s “Smile” movie took everyone by surprise as it garnered positive reviews from film critics and horror enthusiasts alike. The movie gained significant attention due to an ingenious promotional strategy, where actors posing as spectators with chilling smiles were strategically placed behind home plate at multiple Major League Baseball games. This tactic, designed to create a viral buzz, successfully brought the low-budget production into the spotlight. Now, eagerly awaited is the sequel, “Smile 2”, and the studio aims to recapture that initial success.
The original ‘Smile’ combined psychological terror with elements of the supernatural, resulting in a truly unsettling thriller with a dark undertone. ‘Smile 2’ aspires to continue this path with a larger budget and greater ambition. However, despite its lofty goals, the sequel fails to match the impact of its predecessor in several noticeable aspects.
In the second installment of “Smile,” filmmaker Parker Finn picks up where he left off, crafting an exhilarating opening scene that ties seamlessly into the original storyline. Subsequently, we’re whisked away to the bustling streets of New York City, where charismatic pop sensation Skye Riley (portrayed by Naomi Scott) is gearing up for a grand return to the spotlight following a turbulent phase marked by substance abuse. This tumultuous period culminated in a highly publicized car accident that tragically took the life of her boyfriend, Paul.
With a clean slate now, Skye diligently prepares for her upcoming tour under the guidance of her mom and manager, Elizabeth (played by Rosemarie DeWitt). However, her return to stardom is jeopardized due to persistent back pain stemming from a car accident. Desperate for relief, she reaches out to an old acquaintance, Lewis Fregoli (portrayed by Lukas Gage), who has a reputation as a drug dealer, in search of Vicodin. Upon arriving at Lewis’ residence, Skye is left stunned and horrified when he ends his own life right before her eyes.
Instead of reaching out to the authorities, a terrified Skye eludes capture to dodge any involvement in Lewis’ demise or suspected drug activities. However, she’s unaware of the darker threat lurking. She starts experiencing terrifying visions, some featuring individuals with unsettling wide grins. The first film has already hinted at this revelation. Skye is the latest carrier of a malignant parasitic entity that compels its hosts to take their own lives. Even more chilling, the entity can only be transferred when the host ends their life in front of another person. Lewis had been infected and unwittingly passed it on to Skye.
The remainder of the movie focuses on Skye as she grapples with a malevolent entity that others can’t perceive. As her mental state deteriorates, her visions grow more vivid. Meanwhile, Finn confuses reality and illusion for us. However, “Smile 2” fails to recapture the shock factor that was so crucial in the original film. In this sequel, we already know it’s an evil spirit, we understand its actions, and we are aware of how to banish it.
In a simplified rephrasing: Finn’s film presents some intense body horror, and it becomes particularly gruesome towards the end. However, the excessive use of predictable jump scares becomes tiresome as the movie unfolds, especially since it detracts from the overall impact. Moreover, while the film explores intriguing themes like the impacts of trauma and our fascination with fame and celebrity, the narrative drags on for extended periods and loses focus in its last 15 minutes or so, resulting in a rather disorganized conclusion.
Naomi Scott deserves recognition for committing fully to the main character, skillfully portraying Skye’s pop star persona and convincingly depicting her mental breakdown. However, similar to the movie itself, her performance can become overwhelming. The constant scenes of Skye being put through hardships, along with repeated shouting of profanities, can become tiresome. Yet, these issues are not a reflection of Scott’s acting abilities. Instead, they stem from the script, which when evaluated collectively, is the main reason “Smile 2” fails to meet expectations.
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2024-10-19 18:56