Smile 2

The first Smile film unsettled audiences with a blend of the psychological and the supernatural, its narrative unravelling with a masterful use of suspense and intrigue. In Smile 2, the eerie, suspense laden horror is amped up with a more bombastic approach. In this instalment, the entity latches onto Skye Riley, a pop superstar making a comeback after a tragic road accident, subsequent mental breakdown, and drug abuse. Through Skye’s world, the key theme of the series, mental health and trauma, are explored through the gaze of celebrity culture, where trauma and mental health are commodified for mass consumption. There are also nods to the deranged aspects of obsessive fandom, and the false relationships between celebrity and fan.

By focusing its lens on the world of celebrity, there is a sense of the cursed smile becoming a kind of mask, like the personas celebrities adopt to maintain their public image. And although this is an interesting take, and there are many enjoyable and thought-provoking aspects, Smile 2, by removing itself from the real, everyday world, lacks the darker, more unsettling nuances of the original. Conversely, what we get in Smile 2 is something more exaggerated, and comic. The films star, Naomi Scott, is superb in her role, demonstrating great versatility throughout the contrast of outright horror and dark comedy. Also, there is an energy to her performance that fuels the film as a whole, keeping the balance between the suspenseful and more frantic moments.

It is the frantic moments, however, that dominate the film. These moments both entertain and confuse, sometimes to the film’s detriment. The blurring of reality and hallucination is pushed further than in the original but works to lesser effect. Even after the second watch, I’m not sure if Morris is a real character or not, or whether the bar scene in which we meet him (one of the strongest scenes, showing us Skye’s commodification, as well as reflecting an alienated society), is based in reality.

Indeed, the entirety of the films last act is bonkers. It builds up into a frenzy, from the incredible scene in Skye’s apartment, where she is surrounded by smiling dancers, to the unveiling of her friend Gemma as being the entity the whole time, barely allows room to breathe. By the end we are left with many unanswered questions, and though this feels deliberate, that the film revels in its ambiguity, some audiences will find the extent of the entities manipulation of reality to be frustratingly vague.

While Smile 2 doesn’t live up to the original, it is still hugely entertaining. Also, it must be said that end scene is iconic, and if there is a Smile 3, we can expect an even more bonkers ride.