Smile 2, 2024.
Written and Directed by Parker Finn.
Starring Naomi Scott, Kyle Gallner, Rosemarie DeWitt, Lukas Gage, Miles Gutiérrez-Riley, Peter Jacobson, Raúl Castillo, Dylan Gelula, Ray Nicholson, Erika Chase, Drew Barrymore, Mila Falkof, and Delphi Harrington.
SYNOPSIS:
About to embark on a world tour, global pop sensation Skye Riley begins experiencing increasingly terrifying and inexplicable events. Overwhelmed by the escalating horrors and the pressures of fame, Skye is forced to face her past.
It’s possible that even writer/director Parker Finn realized the ending to Smile gave some questionable lessons with its serious theme of suicide. Smile 2 effectively begins by writing out whoever is left from that cast while also continuing the kill chain (for those unfamiliar or don’t remember, anyone who witnesses a possessed person smiling before their “suicide” orchestrated by an invisible demon becomes the next person to be psychologically tormented for seven days as the process repeats itself), this time with new types of characters and different themes.
However, the story also seems to be repeating itself, arriving at similar climactic beats, this time somewhat self-aware and humorous regarding the cruelty on display. This is a film with a 5-minute exposition dump that could have been lifted word for word entirely from the original, which, as you might presume, stops momentum to a halt. By the end, the darkly comedic tone felt just as offputting as the first film’s ineptitude regarding commentary on mental health. This time, the commentary is reserved for topics such as addiction and harsh realities of celebrity fame, once again questionably tackled in a manner that makes it unclear what Parker Finn actually wants to say.
On one hand, the filmmaker clearly sympathizes with his fictional famous popstar protagonist Skye Riley (an electrifying performance from Naomi Scott capturing the descent into insanity with frayed nerves, hair-ripping, and shriek-fueled mental breakdowns), recovering from both drug addiction and a near-fatal car accident that left a vertical scar on her body. There’s an early scene where she takes part in a fan-meeting autograph/photo op session that brings out everyone from sane and rational admirers to obsessive stans to a touchy, disheveled nutter stuck in an unhealthy parasocial relationship professing his love to Skye. Not only is this the kind of black humor that works for the film (it’s grounded in something real and not going for laughs for the sake of it), but it is dealing with an issue (one that has always existed) that needs to be addressed. Anyone who watches professional wrestling can tell you those athletes get at the worst and have some of the most insane horror stories about stalker, mentally unwell fans (which is not to take away from the millions of good ones out there.)
Then there is vague evidence that Skye is a self-absorbed, toxic celebrity who has pushed away legitimate “ride or die” friends. She also finally decides to take her mother’s (Rosemarie DeWitt) advice to bury the hatchet with that friend because she is hallucinating creepy things related to her traumatic past and wants someone by her side. Parker Finn seems undecided if he wants viewers to be in Skye’s corner or if this is a twisted punishment she deserves from a troubled past of poor choices. Meanwhile, her mom isn’t a particularly noble person either, only concerned with exploiting her daughter for more fame and money, pushing her into preparation for an upcoming global tour at the expense of her already declining mental health.
Even with a running time of two hours, Smile 2 approaches these character relations broadly, never digging deep into Skye’s headspace. The film is more concerned with psychological torment and jump scares, with no concern about expanding her inner life beyond popstar fame, immediate family, and her past. As a result of this wishy-washy approach to the character, many of the attempts at danger and horror fall flat, failing to elicit a response of hoping she lives or dies. If anything, I was more drawn into the prologue following around a character from the previous film.
Admittedly, the kills here are awesomely gruesome, exhibiting some truly impressive practical effects and makeup. However, this is surprisingly a story-heavy film (one that struggles with characterization), so much of that disturbing violence comes at the front and back. There is also no denying the effort put into production and costume design, bringing every facet of the music scene and the life of a famous pop star out in rich, evocative colors and designs. Smartly, one of those costumes also comes into play as a plot point and piece of symbolism, demonstrating that there is more to them beyond a pleasant aesthetic.
Beyond that, Smile 2 doesn’t elicit any facial reactions but more of a shoulder shrug. Naomi Scott’s performance is a harrowing tour de force, though, and deserves a more robust script. Between the two of these films, it’s evident that Parker Finn can direct horror (even some of the jump scares are cleverly timed and implemented) but desperately needs a co-writer to work out the many aspects that don’t work.
Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★
Robert Kojder is a member of the Chicago Film Critics Association and the Critics Choice Association. He is also the Flickering Myth Reviews Editor. Check here for new reviews, follow my Twitter or Letterboxd, or email me at MetalGearSolid719@gmail.com
