Smile 2: The New Chapter in Supernatural Horror

The horror genre continues to evolve, and the Smile franchise, with its chilling concept of a cursed smile and terrifying psychological layers, has now expanded with Smile 2. Written and directed by Parker Finn, who returns after the success of the original Smile (2022), Smile 2 brings a fresh story to the franchise with Grammy-winning pop star Skye Riley, played by Naomi Scott, at its center. Released in October 2024, the film has garnered positive reviews and captivated audiences worldwide. Let’s take a deeper dive into this chilling sequel, exploring its cast, plot, and production, and uncovering why it is both a worthy continuation and a unique horror experience on its own.

1. Plot Summary and Storyline

Set six days after the events of Smile, the sequel follows police officer Joel, who narrowly escapes the curse of the Smile Entity by passing it onto drug dealer Lewis Fregoli. Lewis, however, unknowingly transfers the curse to Skye Riley (Naomi Scott), a famous pop star struggling to return to the spotlight after a period of personal turmoil. Skye, now cursed, begins experiencing terrifying hallucinations that slowly unravel her reality, merging her darkest fears with an encroaching horror she can’t escape.

The plot intensifies when Skye witnesses Lewis's gruesome suicide in his apartment, a scene that kick-starts her spiral into paranoia and terror. Despite the support of her mother and manager, Elizabeth (Rosemarie DeWitt), and her assistant, Joshua (Miles Gutierrez-Riley), Skye’s experiences intensify as she begins seeing ominous, smiling faces everywhere. She reconnects with her estranged best friend, Gemma (Dylan Gelula), as her grip on reality falters.

The entity’s terror culminates in Skye’s experience at a charity event where, amidst a hallucination, she publicly humiliates herself, feeding the audience’s shock and Skye’s growing self-doubt. As the story progresses, she discovers she may need to confront the entity head-on or risk losing her life and career. The Smile Entity’s ultimate manifestation onstage at Madison Square Garden brings the story to a horrific climax, leaving viewers and characters alike questioning what is real and what is merely an elaborate nightmare.

2. Casting and Character Highlights

Smile 2 introduces Naomi Scott as Skye Riley, delivering a powerful performance as a pop star haunted by her past and trapped in a supernatural nightmare. Scott reportedly drew inspiration from the personas of Lady Gaga and Britney Spears, embodying both the vulnerability and fierce determination often seen in pop icons. Scott’s portrayal adds a layer of realism to the film’s supernatural elements, giving audiences a character they can root for even as her reality fractures.

The film’s supporting cast includes familiar faces like Kyle Gallner, who reprises his role as Joel, now an integral part of the sequel’s opening scenes. Gallner’s character’s attempts to escape the curse set the tone for the film, grounding it in the lore established by the original movie. Joining him are Rosemarie DeWitt as Skye’s mother and manager, Lukas Gage as drug dealer Lewis Fregoli, and Raúl Castillo as Darius, Skye’s record executive. Additionally, director Parker Finn makes a cameo appearance, adding a meta touch for fans of the franchise.

3. Behind the Scenes: Director Parker Finn’s Vision

Parker Finn’s return as writer and director ensures a cohesive continuation of the Smile universe. He intentionally left portions of the first film’s plot open-ended, allowing for the seamless integration of new characters and backstories. Finn’s goal with Smile 2 was to explore fresh settings and new dynamics, pushing the horror elements in directions fans might not anticipate. He skillfully balances the entity’s mysterious origins with Skye’s personal struggles, providing enough ambiguity to keep the horror psychological and deeply unsettling.

Finn’s direction is complemented by returning cinematographer Charlie Sarroff, editor Elliot Greenberg, and composer Cristobal Tapia de Veer. Their collective expertise enhances the atmospheric horror that permeates Smile 2, with Sarroff’s eerie lighting choices and Tapia de Veer’s haunting score creating an immersive experience. Principal photography took place in various New York locations, including Hudson Valley, Albany, and New York City, adding authenticity and urban grit to the film’s aesthetic.

4. Exploring the Themes: Fame, Trauma, and Psychological Horror

Smile 2 dives deeper into themes of mental health and trauma, but this time from the perspective of a celebrity. Skye Riley’s journey in Smile 2 touches on fame’s often isolating nature, compounded by her history of substance abuse and public scrutiny. This sequel explores how the entity preys on vulnerabilities, using them to manipulate and torment its victims. Skye’s downward spiral from pop icon to a frightened individual losing her grip on reality mirrors real-world stories of celebrities facing public breakdowns, grounding the horror in a relatable context.

The Smile Entity’s use of hallucinations is a testament to the franchise’s unique horror style, blurring the lines between supernatural and psychological horror. Skye’s hallucinations gradually escalate, portraying both the internal struggle of mental instability and the supernatural invasion by an unseen force. This approach makes Smile 2 more than just a horror film; it serves as a commentary on fame, fear, and the mind’s fragile boundaries.

5. Box Office and Reception

Since its release on October 18, 2024, Smile 2 has performed exceptionally well, grossing over $83 million worldwide. Critics have generally responded positively, with an 85% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a score of 66 on Metacritic, praising Scott’s performance and Finn’s creative expansion of the franchise. Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave it a “B,” while PostTrak scores show a favorable 71% positive rating, reflecting a strong reception among horror fans.

6. Soundtrack: Smile 2: The Skye Riley EP

A unique aspect of Smile 2 is the integration of Skye Riley’s fictional pop music career into the movie’s promotional campaign. Released through Interscope Records, Smile 2: The Skye Riley EP features six tracks recorded by Naomi Scott in character, including “Blood on White Satin” and “Death of Me.” The soundtrack not only adds depth to Skye’s character but also offers fans a way to connect with the film’s universe outside the theater. The EP debuted shortly before the film’s release, adding to the immersive experience and reaching a broader audience through its haunting pop sound.

7. Future of the Smile Franchise

With the success of Smile 2, fans are left wondering if there might be more installments to come. Parker Finn’s first-look deal with Paramount Pictures, signed in March 2023, suggests the possibility of additional horror projects that may or may not tie back into the Smile universe. While Finn has expressed interest in exploring the origins of the Smile Entity, he is also keen to preserve its enigmatic nature, hinting that any future films would need to explore fresh narratives and maintain the franchise’s unexpected twists.

8. Critical Reactions: A Franchise Evolves

Critics’ responses to Smile 2 have generally celebrated Finn’s daring direction and Scott’s engaging performance. Some, like Austen Goslin of Polygon, noted the sequel’s ability to expand the original concept while delivering powerful scares. Others, like David Fear from Rolling Stone, appreciated Finn’s evolution as a horror director, remarking on how Smile 2 moves beyond mere horror into a commentary on fame and trauma.

However, some critics felt the sequel borrowed too heavily from previous horror films, such as Flatliners. Bilge Ebiri from Vulture expressed that the film’s hallucinatory elements occasionally detract from the emotional depth of Skye’s story, resulting in a slightly detached audience experience. Nonetheless, the general consensus recognizes Smile 2 as a significant addition to the horror genre and an improvement on its predecessor.

Conclusion: A Thrilling Journey into Darkness

Smile 2 establishes itself as both a continuation of the terrifying world introduced in Smile and a standalone experience that dives deeper into psychological horror and supernatural dread. By anchoring the plot in Skye Riley’s world of fame, trauma, and personal battles, the film resonates with viewers on multiple levels. Parker Finn has crafted a complex narrative that leaves room for speculation while delivering the scares that horror fans crave. With its rich themes, compelling performances, and layered scares, Smile 2 ensures that audiences will leave the theater haunted by its lingering, sinister smile.