By Pavethran Batmanathen

This October, horror fans have something to grin about as the highly anticipated sequel, Smile 2, hits theaters—and it’s set to surpass the original in every way. Building on the surprise success of the 2022 hit Smile, the follow-up is bigger, bloodier, and even more unhinged than its predecessor, all while weaving a compelling narrative through those sinister, gritted smiles.

Writer-director Parker Finn, who cleverly critiqued the “trauma” trend in horror with the first film, returns with even more ambitious themes in the sequel. This time around, he takes the creepy smile demon concept and expands it to a grander scale. In place of a therapist absorbing trauma from a patient, Smile 2 shifts focus to a mega-famous pop star, Skye Riley (played by Naomi Scott), grappling with her own personal demons. Skye catches the insidious “smile curse” from her drug dealer, Lewis (Lukas Gage), who himself was infected by the last host in a mesmerizing one-take opening sequence.

By transferring the curse to a high-profile celebrity, Finn takes advantage of the public scrutiny that comes with fame, staging elaborate musical numbers, chaotic backstage moments, fan mania, and Skye’s own internal struggles within her luxurious yet oppressive world. Finn also reunites his creative team from Smile, including cinematographer Charlie Sarroff, editor Elliot Greenberg, and composer Cristobal Tapia de Veer. With the success of the original film, the team is given the freedom to create an even wilder, more visually daring experience.

The film’s style is a standout, with Finn and Sarroff orchestrating multiple long takes, allowing the camera to swing and capture every moment of horror as it unfolds. This technique amplifies the tension, keeping viewers on edge as they witness both the terrifying events and the characters’ visceral reactions. Naomi Scott shines in the lead role, delivering a powerful, unfiltered performance as Skye—a once out-of-control addict now struggling to stay sane as the curse wreaks havoc on her life. Scott fully embodies the character’s emotional turmoil, moving between the trauma of her past and the nightmare of her present, as she confronts horrific hallucinations brought on by the smile demon.

Throughout Smile 2, Skye is relentlessly haunted by visions that tap into her deepest fears: obsessive fans, the violent car accident that killed her boyfriend (Ray Nicholson), and her closest confidants turning against her. These terrifying episodes, marked by the unsettling sight of a smile, unfold in highly visible settings—whether Skye is on stage rehearsing, accepting an award, or interacting with fans. The constant presence of cameras, phones, and public attention heightens the tension, making Skye’s fight against the curse even more perilous.

The sequel ups the ante by emphasizing the dangers posed by the curse’s ability to transfer from one person to another, with Skye’s highly publicized life leaving her especially vulnerable. The curse demands that each host die in front of another person after a week of possession, and Skye, as a celebrity, has no shortage of eyes on her. This makes the stakes even higher, as the demonic entity spreads faster and more dangerously.

While Smile 2 leans into the horror with thrilling scares, Finn continues to explore deeper metaphors. Skye’s battle with the smile demon mirrors her struggles with addiction and mental health, with the parasite serving as a symbol for the destructive nature of addiction that consumes her and those around her. Despite the heavy themes, the film balances its horror with just the right amount of camp and dark humor, largely thanks to Scott’s captivating performance. She manages to deliver a raw, emotionally charged portrayal while also embracing the film’s moments of self-awareness.

Naomi Scott, known for her roles in high-profile reboots like Aladdin, Charlie’s Angels, and Power Rangers, truly comes into her own in Smile 2. Her portrayal of Skye Riley demonstrates an impressive range, as she navigates a complex emotional journey and battles the curse’s relentless assault on her mind. Some might even draw comparisons between Scott’s performance and Isabelle Adjani’s iconic turn in Possession—a high compliment in the realm of horror acting.

Finn ramps up the intensity with more effective jump scares, jarring sound design, and increasingly elaborate, disturbing hallucinations. The body horror elements are cranked up as well, with bloodier, more grotesque sequences that will have audiences squirming in their seats. Though the third act veers into some wild, surreal territory, Finn ultimately reigns things in for a satisfying conclusion, delivering an ending that feels fitting for one of the wildest horror films of 2024.

In short, Smile 2 takes everything that made the first film a hit and elevates it to new heights. With a bigger scope, bolder scares, and a standout performance from Naomi Scott, it’s a rollercoaster of horror that fans won’t want to miss.

Source: https://www.thestar.com.my/lifestyle/entertainment/2024/10/20/039smile-2039-review-bigger-gorier-sequel-is-one-of-wildest-horror-rides-of-2024, Picture Credits: Variety