The film “Smile 2” directed by Parker Finn was about global pop sensation Skye Riley (Naomi Scott), who is about to set off on a new world tour. She starts having horrifying and puzzling experiences. Skye is compelled to confront her troubled history to take control of her life once again before it gets out of hand. The movie depicts the mounting horrors and demands of being a celebrity.
The film started hard and fast. With its long one take opening, which was gory and frantic, it provided continuity to the original. The film’s camera work and lighting were great, the use of shots and reflections certainly added to the horror sequences.
Naomi Scott! What a performance. The descent into madness was horrifying (in a great way). The actress in the horror movie received an Oscar nomination but unfortunately, the genre was tough to crack in the award season. She was jarring and authentic.
The film really shined in the scenes that were creepier and unsettling rather than the typical jump scare. Shout out to the dance troupe apartment scene. The scenes where the audience realize that Skye is in fact hallucinating are the most memorable and offer much more weight than the jump scares. The music on the film sets an expectation towards the climax of the movie where viewers feel scared and excited. The film provided audiences with some great horror moments and one stellar performance.
However, the film was a bit too reliant on jump scares and flashy-ness. It steered away from the original’s gritty and dark tone.
In summary, Parker Finn’s “Smile 2” surpasses the original in almost every way. Scotts character development is noteworthy, and the story engages and exhilarates in a frightening and enjoyable way. It is difficult to find faults with it because of its meticulous editing by Elliot Greenberg, dramatic sound design, and stunning cinematography. Additionally, co-star Naomi Scott is amazing, and neither of them let you down. “Smile 2” will, in summary, make you smile.