Smile 2

Smile 2 picks up with Skye Riley, a global pop star, who becomes the newest victim of the ‘smile’ entity that we all know from the 1st movie. Surrounded, haunted and chased by people with creepy laughs Skye tries to find out how to deal with this not-so-friendly-smiling demon. At the same time she also battles with her own demons from the past, her ever growing fame and the responsibility that this brings.

This movie has some pretty big shoes to fill after the success of the first installment, and it does so with flair.

This movie has some pretty big shoes to fill after the success of the first installment, and it does so with flair. In almost every aspect, Smile 2 has become the evolved version of its predecessor. The characters have more depth, the story is more engaging, yet they’ve managed to retain the essence of the original—complete with that unsettling, haunting smile that still sends chills down your spine.

Like many horror films today, this one leans heavily on so-called “jump scares,” but fortunately, Smile 2 executes these more subtly than the first film. The murder scenes are still satisfyingly gruesome and, at times, almost over-the-top (and to be clear, this is not a criticism). The pacing throughout the film is solid, though the middle section (up to near the end) slows down a bit, leaving you wondering if the movie might have been better if trimmed by 15 to 20 minutes.

While Smile 2 isn’t an absolute top-tier film within the horror genre, its unique storyline makes it an enjoyable watch.

Non-horror fans would likely be better off skipping it, but for the diehards among us, Smile 2 is a refreshing and welcome addition to a horror landscape that often feels a bit dull.