Smile 2 is already set to be another massive hit for filmmaker Parker Finn. It has just been released in 3,619 US movie houses taking an estimated $23 million in its domestic debut, whilst the film’s worldwide opening weekend means it has already earned a whopping $46 million.
The owner and editor of this website saw Smile 2 earlier today with horror aficionado Rita; we can both recommend it wholeheartedly. It’s wonderfully crafted and Naomi Scott is brilliant in the lead role. And unlike the first Smile, it’s not too long despite what some critics have said. Like The Substance, Smile 2 is another great 2024 release that’s a must-see in a cinema (the audio is awesome in itself). That said, if you’d prefer to watch the movie in the comfort of your own home, Amazon.com is already preselling the UHD Prime release
Meanwhile, here’s our previous film coverage with twenty reviews.:
‘It’s the last thing you’ll see’
Smile 2 is a 2024 horror film about a pop star who begins experiencing increasingly terrifying and inexplicable events.
After the phenomenal success of Smile (2022) – which took $217.4 million globally at the box office on a budget of $17 million even before residuals such as Blu-ray and streaming – pre-production was already underway on a sequel by April 2023, with filming lasting from January to March 2024.
During interviews between November and December 2022, writer and director Parker Finn had already stated that he had intentionally left portions of the first film ambiguous, with various plotlines unresolved, while expressing interest in exploring those details in a potential sequel. He stated that while additional instalments may explore the backstory of the entity, he would like to keep its mysterious nature intact. Furthermore, he noted that a follow-up film would be notably different from the first, stating that he believed “there is still a lot of interesting stuff to explore in the world of Smile … I’d want to make sure that there’s a new, exciting, fresh way into it that the audience isn’t anticipating. I also want to find some new ways to scare them and unnerve them.”
The Paramount Pictures-Paramount Players-Temple Hill Entertainment co-production stars Naomi Scott, Kyle Gallner, Lukas Gage, Rosemarie DeWitt, Dylan Gelula, Raúl Castillo and Miles Gutierrez-Riley.
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Plot:
About to embark on a new world tour, global pop sensation Skye Riley (Naomi Scott) begins experiencing increasingly terrifying and inexplicable events. Overwhelmed by the escalating horrors and the pressures of fame, Skye is forced to face her dark past to regain control of her life before it spirals.
Reviews:
“Scott delivers a career-defining performance, tackling so many layers to her character and with seemingly effortless ease. The scale is grander, and the scares are far more visceral and violent. But Finn’s mounting confidence and ingenuity are what’s most exciting; this filmmaker has only honed his scare-crafting chops to the sharpest of edges and is having a blast doing it. It makes for a satisfying thrill ride of jaw-dropping horror and unrelenting dread.” ★★★★ Bloody Disgusting
“With all the great work that went into this movie, its story pacing still irked me. The additional lore introduced in the second and third acts feels forced, reminiscent of Finn’s storytelling in the first movie. For those who enjoy some good practical effects and want to see some interesting camera work, Smile 2 will satisfy that much.” 6/10 CG Magazine
“For all its nightmare fuel and dazzling cinematography, Smile 2 doesn’t work if you’re not emotionally connected to its protagonist – but it proves a terrific call that the production picked Naomi Scott for the part […] It will seriously freak you out, and as you work your mind over its twists and turns in the aftermath, you’ll want to go back for a second viewing.” ★★★★ Cinema Blend
“Smile 2 is relentless. It’s a non-stop spookshow that just keeps increasing in madness, building towards a grand finale that pretty much absolves the film of any negative issues you might have […] If you pull off a killer ending, everyone is going to overlook your flaws. And yes, Smile 2 has some flaws. For one thing, the film stretches on way too long…” 7/10 /Film
“It’s a joy to watch Finn build bigger sets and choreograph more complex shots — a privilege that’s clearly afforded to a sophomore filmmaker who earned more toys after his debut feature grossed $200 million on a $17 million budget. And Scott’s excellent take on a spiraling pop star — which feels particularly timely in a year filled with high-profile performance cancellations — would be entertaining enough on its own, even without the horror twist.” Grade: B IndieWire
“All around, the cast delivers solid performances that are enjoyable to watch. Naomi Scott, in particular, is so sensational every single moment she’s onscreen. With a better script, this could have been a sure winner for her. Even though it doesn’t take its own storyline seriously enough, Smile 2 is entertaining.” 5/10 Screen Rant
“The runtime of Smile 2 is long – while they mostly work, at nearly two and a quarter hours the film could potentially have lost some of the musical numbers, and Finn and Greenberg could have also trimmed some fat from the longer incidental sequences – and at times the ambiguity about what is real and what are hallucinations or nightmares tips over into being straight-up confusing, but with solid performances, expanding lore, and some genuinely scary moments, the movie is largely a very successful sequel.” ★★★½ Total Film
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