Smile 2

Smile 2 is a trippy and wild rollercoaster ride, an extreme upgrade from its predecessor. The concept is simple: a host is haunted by a supernatural virus that results in them killing themselves in front of a witness, passing on the possession to the next person. Starring the incredible talent of Naomi Scott, this new installation into the Smile universe takes viewers far away from the world director Parker Finn initially built with therapist Rose and police officer Joel, and drops them into the chaotic and twisted mind of pop sensation Skye Riley. This expansion emphasises how unselective this demonic being is, highlighting how people from all different backgrounds can fall prey to this predatory and paranormal cycle. While there are definitive connections and hints to the previous film, viewers don’t necessarily need the grander context of Smile to enjoy this sequel.

Scott is undeniably the star of this film. Rather than just playing Skye as a straight victim of her situation and the various circumstances she is forced into because of her job and status, she adds a layer of complexity to the character. Skye’s not just another host for this virus, and she’s not just another pop star not coping well with the pressures of fame. She is somebody suffering from trauma who has jumped into the spotlight before fully processing all of that, she’s a celebrity heading for a rapid descent in terms of her mental health, she’s a survivor who also carries an abundance of guilt, and she’s a recovering addict who is still grappling with her insatiable need to fix herself which shows in her Trichotillomania. Most importantly, Skye is a troubled person trying and failing to change and do good things. All these different layers create such an interesting parallel between Skye’s mental decline as a result of these varying factors, and the side effects of the Smile virus. It’s so easy for someone like Skye on paper to become such a polarising figure. But the charm and vulnerability of Scott make it so that the audience root for her.

On top of Scott’s fantastic performance, Finn ups the game in this sequel in terms of production. It’s amazing how he uses Skye being a musician and a performer to aid in blurring the line between reality and Skye’s hallucinations. This is especially true for how he weaves music and choreography into the film to further distort Skye’s perception of what’s real or not. The film scales back using computer graphics for its horror aspects, and Finn instead utilises cinematography and editing to build tension and create a thrilling and stressful experience for the viewer. It’s ironic because the first film’s protagonist was an expert in psychology, yet it’s this continuation that truly hones in on the mind-bending aspects of this virus. There are a lot of long, single-take shots, a change of perspective from one camera, a focus on transparent surfaces and glass screens, symmetrical framing of Skye and objects of interest, and sudden and brief cuts to specific flashbacks. These stylistic choices all amplify the storytelling of Smile 2 – from the mirrors and screens being symbolic of the duplicity in Skye’s personality and the wavering reality surrounding her, to the flashbacks being reflective of the intrusive thoughts that take over the character’s psyche.

Smile 2 is more than just a horror film. The most brilliant thing about it is it doesn’t rely on shock factor or dark, extremely gory and heavy subject matters to be a compelling story. Yes, there’s trauma, drugs, mental health struggles, and there’s blood and bodily fluids on constant display. But these aren’t the reasons why the movie works so well. It’s the reality-warping aspect of it and how that makes the audience feel like they are falling into a messed-up rabbit hole alongside Skye.

Mae Trumata

Smile 2 is released nationwide on 18^th October 2024.

Watch the trailer for Smile 2 here: