Naomi Scott shines in Smile 2 as Parker Finn delivers a dark, twisted tale about fame and possession.
Parker Finn returns to his elevated possession franchise with Smile 2, delivering more twists and turns. This time, Naomi Scott joins the cast as Skye Riley, a pop diva seeking redemption after a life-changing event. The haunting curse returns, but this time, it craves the spotlight. Finn crafts a bold and intelligent story that explores the dark side of fame and the price of success, showing growth from the previous film. However, fans may have mixed reactions to the glitz and glamour surrounding the central theme.
The first Smile film opened discussions about mental health, and Smile 2 echoes these themes with Skye Riley’s journey. The tragic and untimely death of former One Direction member Liam Payne, which occurred the same weekend, adds an eerie real-world connection. Finn highlights the pressures and isolation that come with fame, and Naomi Scott shines as Riley, delivering a dynamic performance. Cinematographer Charlie Sarroff enhances Scott’s portrayal, creating a mesmerizing glow during her pop diva moments. Finn expertly captures the anguish and unease of our celebrity-obsessed culture, making Smile 2 a must-see for fans of the franchise.
However, while Smile 2 has plenty to offer, I found myself wanting more from the horror elements. Some of the scares felt formulaic, relying on angles and grouped-together moments that felt reminiscent of older films like Freaks. While the story is smart and engaging, the scares sometimes felt cheap and lacked the authenticity I was hoping for.
If you’re fascinated by celebrity culture and the darker side of fame, Smile 2 will resonate with you in powerful ways. Despite its strengths, I just wanted it to be scarier.
3/5
Smile 2
Directed by Parker Finn
Starring Naomi Scott, Rosemarie Dewitt, Miles Gutierrez-Riley, Peter Jacobson, Ray Nicholson, Lukas Gage, Dylan Gelula, Kyle Gallner and Raul Castillo.
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