Smile 2 (2024): A sequel miles above the original
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
As a horror movie fanatic thriving in the prime month of October, I have been consuming as much horror as I can. I am always open to seeing new movies, especially ones well-praised by people online. I did, however, walk into Smile 2 (2024) with dread on my left foot and apprehension on my right.
Smile 2 (2024) is the sequel to Smile (2022), where a psychiatrist faces a hallucinatory curse after a traumatic incident with a patient. It is a franchise that I assume will have different main characters in each movie, as the cast of both movies were widely different. In Smile 2 (2024), pop star Skye Riley, played by Naomi Scott, faces the same “smile” curse right before her comeback world tour.
To be frank—I slept through Smile (2022). I remember opening my laptop to start it but can not recall closing off the movie. While I do not think this merits a fair review, it is safe to assume that I found that movie dull despite its intriguing concept. Memories of this dissatisfaction are why I had no interest in Smile 2 (2024), despite its reverence from the internet. Only when my brother—someone practically allergic to horror—recommended this movie I knew I had to give in and give the sequel a chance.
To say the first and second movies juxtapose each other in quality would be a severe understatement; I did not expect to enjoy the movie as much as I did. Firstly, I thought the leading actress, Naomi Scott, did a phenomenal job portraying the deeply flawed—yet likable—pop star. You may know this actress as the live-action Jasmine in Aladdin (2019) or, more famously, as Mo in Lemonade Mouth (2011). Knowing her as Skye Riley, though, in Smile 2 (2024) will be your greatest pleasure. Scott and the directors perfectly encapsulate the horrors of your past following you; the theme of trauma is also present in the first film but not executed nearly as well.
There is so much praise I can offer this movie: the effort put into making music and choreography to make Skye Riley feel alive, the creative jumpscares, the whirlwind of plot twists, and the scarily accurate dialogue are just a few I can mention. My favorite aspect of the film is how the fear of the hallucinations from the curse blends perfectly with the stress of being famous. Getting the “smile” curse means hallucinating people with eerie grins, symptoms that will not bode well for someone who has to perform and meet a line of fans.
Aside from the unique use of the creepy curse, I also enjoyed the more human elements of the movie; plus, the movie is listed as a psychological horror. The toll that being in the public eye has on a recovering addict is heartbreaking to watch, and the idea of putting your fans and career before your mental health is a damaging choice that many artists—a recent example being Chappell Roan—are pressured to make.
Smile 2 (2024) exceeds the first in every way and may be one of my favorite horror films of the year. The ending was perfect, setting up the potential to entirely steer the story in a new direction. The concepts behind the franchise allow each movie to be unique, and as for Smile 2 (2024), it was devastating, scary, and fun all in one movie. I genuinely do not think one has to see the first film to see this masterpiece of a sequel, so I encourage everyone to see it in theaters while they still can.