Say cheese. Two years in the past, Parker Finn scared the residing daylights out of audiences together with his hit horror film Smile. A function movie debut grossing $217.4 million on a $17 million price range? Not dangerous in any respect. He returns to this collection with Smile 2. But when there’s something Joker: Folie á Deux taught us, it’s that simply because a film made a ton of cash the primary time, lightning doesn’t at all times strike twice. Whereas we have now but to see how this sequel will fare on the field workplace, one factor is for positive: Parker Finn is an outstanding filmmaker who has outdone himself.
Smile 2 is without doubt one of the greatest horror sequels ever made. Making a sequel to a profitable horror film is rarely a simple feat. Even the nice ones are inferior to the unique. However Smile 2 defies each expectation by being simply as wonderful as the primary film. Some could even say it’s higher. For me, this movie matches the standard by telling a brand new story with the identical curse. The movie begins six days after the top of the unique, with Joel (Kyle Gallner) attempting to do away with the curse. This opening scene is breathtaking, all filmed in a single lengthy shot. There are difficult digicam strikes right here, and it’s improbable.
We meet Skye Riley, performed by Naomi Scott. Skye is a well-known pop musician, and we rapidly be taught her backstory. She’s immediately a compelling character as she is on the verge of a profession comeback after a devastating incident the 12 months earlier than. The thought of constructing the protagonist a well-known musician is a threat as a result of these individuals are difficult for many viewers members to narrate to. You may generally really feel a disconnect between her struggles and your individual, however Finn’s script grounds her every time it may possibly.
Like the primary film, Finn spends plenty of time growing the protagonist. The sequel focuses virtually solely on new characters, so we have now to care about everybody early on. Immersing your self in these individuals is straightforward as a result of the music sounds genuine. Scott is a proficient musician, so she brings her wonderful singing voice to Skye. She additionally has a flawless American accent whereas delivering a few of the most intense scenes of the 12 months. Her work on this film is astonishing, as none of it seems straightforward.
Skye is stricken with the identical curse as Rose from the primary film. That is the place the movie dangers being a retread. Nevertheless, Skye is a well-known pop star, so the stakes are extra important. She has to keep up her public picture, so there’s far more at stake if she acts out publicly. Sadly for her, the entity is out to make her life a residing hell. What makes the Smile films so improbable is that they’re very psychological. This movie is structured in a method the place horrible issues occur to Skye, however we’re continuously second-guessing whether or not it’s actual or not.
I really like horror films that scare you by ruining the protagonist’s life. Each Smile films do that, however they do it otherwise. One other clever choice is that since Skye is new to the curse, she doesn’t know the right way to do away with it like Rose did. She wants to keep up her profession whereas crumbling on the within, and he or she quickly finds no straightforward approach to remove this curse. It’s tragic to see her wrestle with it. This screenplay pushes the idea additional than the unique whereas providing all of the scares you’ll anticipate.
Finn handles the scares completely. He’s a masterful horror director, and I can’t wait to see what else he does in his first-look take care of Paramount. Like the primary film, his leap scares are completely crafted. He builds a lot dread and suspense. One instance is a scene the place Skye watches a video on her telephone. The video retains zooming into one darkish space, and all you are able to do is lean again in your seat and brace your self for what you may even see. He is aware of the best moments to tug rigidity out of pure silence. Then, as soon as we’re at our most quiet, he’s there to provide you a free coronary heart assault.
Smile 2 builds on the madness of the primary movie by being an intense, gory sequel finished proper. Scott’s efficiency is nothing wanting mesmerizing. The supporting forged does an outstanding job, and Finn’s dialogue feels natural for each character. Nobody ought to understate simply how good Finn is at writing many characters (primarily feminine characters) and permitting them to all really feel like totally different individuals with distinct voices. Whereas there’s one predictable factor within the ending, there are a lot of moments the place Finn pulls the rug out from below you. This movie will depart you gagged and gasping for air, and it’s one of many most interesting horror films of 2024.
SCORE: 8/10
As ComingSoon’s review policy explains, a rating of 8 equates to “Nice.” Whereas there are a number of minor points, this rating implies that the artwork succeeds at its purpose and leaves a memorable influence.
Disclosure: ComingSoon attended a press screening for our Smile 2 evaluate.
