The horror genre just got a whole lot scarier! The sequel to the original Smile movie was released October 18th, and it is better than the original, which isn’t often the case!
Smile 2 was directed and written by Parker Finn and stars Rosemarie DeWitt, Lukas Gage, and Ray Nicholson. Among the main cast is one Naomi Scott, who portrays the main character, pop superstar Skye Riley. This may be one of the best film performances of the year.
The plot of the movie revolves around Skye’s psychological battle with a demonic entity, which involves confronting tragedies she experienced in the past. This plotline, along with the unpredictable nature of the movie, keeps the audience engaged. And by the end of the movie, all the choices made by the characters make sense and bring the story full-circle. The ending of the movie is sure to surprise anybody watching it, as it is a fitting conclusion to the film.
All the actors absolutely nail their roles. Everybody does their part to create chemistry between each other, which helps the film feel alive. Furthermore, the relationship between Skye and her mother definitely makes the movie feel more authentic, as we witness how the actions of a demanding parent affect their children.
Smile 2 is never boring at any point, as each scene adds development to the story. In addition, it keeps the audience on the edge of their seats, by adding terrific jumpscares that are above the level of others in the horror genre.
Despite the success of the original Smile movie, the sequel exceeds the criteria for a psychological horror movie. Some notable scenes include several unexpected deaths, which all have the viewers covering their eyes, but wanting to see more.
Lastly, the music is the monumental triumph of the film. Not only was the entire soundtrack written by Naomi Scott, but it is a REAL album on a REAL website. The website is even accompanied by “tour dates” that Skye was supposed to attend and an Instagram “fan account” made by the creators of the film.
Equally important, if you pay close attention to the lyrics on the album, all the songs depict not only what is happening to Skye, but they also comment on what she’s experiencing emotionally throughout the movie. The music surely adds to the popstar feeling of the film, and it is never misused throughout the movie.
Noteworthy tracks on the album include “Death of Me”, which plays during the end credits of the movie. You should also check out “New Brain”, and “Blood on White Satin”, that are both performed during the movie itself.
Overall, Smile 2 combines lots of different moving parts that make this one of the most enjoyable movies of the year. And if you like Smile 2, you may like other horror movies, like the original Smile or The Shining.
