Parker Finn’s Smile 2 does what every good sequel should do: expand. The scope is bigger here, moving into the pop star world as singer Skye Riley (Naomi Scott) becomes the protagonist afflicted by a demon who makes a person hallucinate other people smiling creepily at them until the curse is passed on, either by death or luck. I won’t go deep into the plot summary other than the bare explanation that Skye witnesses death, carries this curse, and struggles to break it by the film’s end. Odds are most people checking out Smile 2 have already seen 2022’s Smile. In terms of story, nothing much has changed here, and you will know what type of film you are in for if you’ve seen the original. 

 

But what makes Smile 2 such a good time is the additional dressing. Parker Finn’s filmmaking has improved, aided by a higher budget and interesting set pieces. The cold open, featuring Kyle Gallner, the lone survivor from the original, is an intense seven-minute single take that flashes in technical brilliance and ends in horrifying fashion. Cinematographer Charlie Sarroff creates impressive use of color and shadow, both in bright public settings and the requisite shadowy quiet parts. 

 

The standout here is Naomi Scott as Skye Riley. The script demands so much energy and range, and Scott’s output is incredible and right in the pocket. Horror films are notoriously forgotten when the big award season comes knocking (I still light a candle for Toni Collette’s criminally understated performance in Hereditary), so I don’t expect Scott will be in the chute for industry recognition in the form of statues and trophies. But I know that great performances pay off in other ways. I wouldn’t be surprised if Scott can parlay her dynamite performance here into higher-profile mainstream roles. She is just really great here.

 

The rest of the supporting cast is a homogeneous blend of stock horror one-noters with some rapid but effective characters as well. Namely, the actors portraying the smiling hallucinations and one crazed fan are outstanding and creepy. Be on the lookout for Skye Riley’s deceased boyfriend, played by Ray Nicholson. His part is small, but he has all the energy and mania you’d expect from an actor with a legend for a dad that is Jack Nicholson. 

 

Smile 2 is also terrifying, easily one of the scariest movies of 2024. I recall feeling the same about Smile way back in 2022. Parker Finn brings an intelligent balance between a creepy atmosphere and effective jump scares. I have never been a massive fan of jump scares, but I must admit that they can add to the experience when done well. Parker Finn does put in a lot of jump scares in Smile 2, some of which are telegraphed from a mile away, but two or three came out of nowhere and had me spring out of my chair. There is also a lot of gore in Smile 2. While this film doesn’t quite hold a candle to its current peer, Terrifier 3, in the gore department, plenty is here to make the faintest audience squeamish. 

 

Does this film get a good recommendation from me? The answer is yes. Smile 2 is a good enough sequel to match its predecessor and is effective enough not to need the original as requisite viewing beforehand. An honest critique is that I wish there were a deeper story, as Smile 2 does everything Smile did but bigger and brighter on a technical level, but I did not learn anything I did not already know. The ending did leave a lot of potential on the table for a possible third outing. If that third movie ever gets made, I hope Parker Finn lets some innovation creep into the story and not just the technical prowess. 

 

Despite that reasonable hang-up, Smile 2 is an enjoyable horror film with a timely release date. Smile made $200 million globally, and the hope is that this sequel will also be very profitable. I suspect most horror fans will like this film. There is so much good going on in Smile 2 that even the most casual horror fan will appreciate it. Hopefully, the goodwill the original Smile cultivated will translate into Smile 2’s box office success. Smile 2 deserves its theatrical exhibition, its ambition and scope will please the most devoted to the most casual horror fan. Go see it!