Smile 2 – REVIEW

As a connoisseur of horror films and a lover of unexpected twists, I must say that Smile 2 has truly captivated me. The life experiences of Naomi Scott’s character, Skye Riley, are beautifully portrayed, making her descent into madness all the more gripping.

Following the unexpected triumph of the 2022 blockbuster ‘Smile’, a swift decision was made to produce a sequel. The ending of the original film sets the stage for a new ensemble starring Naomi Scott as Skye Riley, a former pop sensation. Skye’s past struggles with alcohol and drugs, culminating in a stint in rehab after her boyfriend’s death in a car accident they were both involved in, are now part of her character’s backstory.

Making her return, she appears on Drew Barrymore’s talk show to unveil her new single, upcoming world tour, and the customary expensive merchandise. However, after the show, a visit to her friend puts all of this at risk. Fueled by an excessive amount of cocaine, reminiscent of a Port Talbot blast furnace, her friend’s actions lead him to be severely intoxicated, culminating in a devastating moment where he smashes his own face, leaving it disfigured beyond recognition. Writer-director Parker Finn strategically places such gruesome and startling scenes throughout the movie, creating an unsettling impact. Ray Nicholson, as Skye’s late boyfriend, delivers a chilling performance, having inherited the sinister smile from his father, Jack Nicholson, who famously portrayed the Joker in Tim Burton’s ‘Batman’ and the tormented caretaker in Kubrick’s ‘The Shining’.

However, Skye eventually recognizes that her actions are being influenced, as she perceives things that don’t exist and encounters moments of intense fear. Strangely, she sustains injuries that later prove to be fictitious, leading some to question why she isn’t employed as a drama coach for several World Cup football teams. Despite this, her inner circle – comprising her mother, a personal assistant, and an estranged friend whom she reconciles with – stands by her. Yet, they fail to comprehend her increasingly illogical actions. To complicate matters further, she receives cryptic messages from an unknown sender who appears to be privy to her situation. Given her past struggles with substance abuse, some suspect a relapse; however, the reality is that Skye, like everyone else, is under the control of the malevolent force that ultimately leads individuals to ruin.

Smile had an intriguing premise with the victims consumed by an inane vacuous grin modelled mostly by daytime TV presenters but its unnervingly played out here by the cast. Parker has put together a decent follow up with a pile of mostly effective shock scares accompanied by a discordant and unsettling score. There’s a number of well constructed jump scares and several effective set pieces too – a fan meet greet rings true, an ominous prologue ( though wholly unrelated) works well and a scene where Skye is pursued through her apartment by a horde of malevolent dancers will have you reassess how you look at the endless dance troupes on BGT.

Scott’s slightly androgynous appearance lends her an unbalanced, eerie vibe reminiscent of a pop star on the brink of insanity, tormented by what she believes she sees. Her sustained frenzy escalates throughout the first three acts, leaving viewers drained. The sequel, Smile 2, reaches a peak of insanity comparable to The Substance in a 2024 horror movie, promising fans of the original a gruesome continuation. However, some moments may inadvertently elicit laughter, which could be disconcerting for fellow audience members.

Here’s the Smile 2 trailer……

2024-10-17 02:23

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