
There’s been a pattern this year concerning sequels that have been derided as mere “copy and paste” of their respective originals in movies like “Inside Out 2” and “Terrifier 3.” (I am sure this is the first and last instance when Art and Joy were compared. You’re welcome.) One of several things that works about Parker Finn’s “Smile 2” is that it seems like an attempt to build upon the themes of the original hit rather than copy them. While that film was also mixed in with the subcategory of horror films that depict mental illness as a supernatural affliction, Finn shifts things around to include self-loathing, drug addiction, and the even greater international abuse of pop stars in his brilliant sequel. One thing it certainly has in common is a standout performance in the centerpiece of the movie. Sosie Bacon shone supremely in the first part of the ‘Smile’ series, while Naomi Scott in the latest sequel Unfortunately, Finn’s film puts Bacon through two hours of intensive emotional and physical trauma. It’s quite brilliant. Sort of how a pop diva would go through.
“Smile 2” like its predecessor ‘It Follows’ explores a new angle in horror by having a person being haunted instead of a location. This time Finn reveals the secrets following Kyle Gallner’s Joel who has to engage in chaotic violent actions with a drug dealer. Now an uninvited guest called Lewis (Lukas Gage) witnesses the uncontrolled bloodshed around him, he transforms into a victim with a parasite that feasts upon your trauma. This parasite presents increasingly horrifying images where people you care about deeply do unspeakable things with a smile plastered on their faces.
It’s only a matter of moments before Lewis literally slams a weight into his face while performing in front of troubled pop star Skye Riley (Naomi Scott), who after a year-long break from the media because a car accident had killed her boyfriend Paul, is now planning a comeback. Paul is played by none other than Ray Nicholson, arguably the most brilliant cast member here, as he seamlessly captures the head-down malevolent smile that his father Jack famously made, and that was supposedly the reason why this film was even made in the first place. You can tell by looking at him.
Skye has faced her grief and addiction head-on, but the ‘Smile Creature’ keeps her at the edge of sanity by portraying all her weaknesses. Her mother and manager, Elizabeth, alongside assistant Josh and record company head Darius, are all set for Skye’s big debut after a while, but with her mental state in shambles, that’s not an option right now for her. She does try to reconnect with an old friend named Gemma whom she believes she can trust, but things take a turn for the worse. ‘Smile 2’ is not just a haunting but also revolves around cruelty. It forces Skye to the edge of mental capacity in ways that are impossible to deal with. From visions of Paul’s corpse to a fan standing naked in her apartment, she is just waiting for reality to shatter before her eyes.
It is certainly a challenging role for an actress and Scott truly does a fantastic job of portraying the fear and horror that now overwhelms Skye’s life. Finn has high expectations of his lead performance and emotionally and physically puts her through tough situations, and for it to work, Scott has to sell it all. His horrified expression of everything that is happening around her convinces us that something terrible is truly happening. Yes, the sound design is fantastic, but she is what makes this film special.
To be honest with you, “Smile 2” gets slightly gaffed over at some points, especially with respect to fans owning pop stars and fans being expected to conceal their trauma and just smile. But, from my perspective, sufficient themes are still left as the structure of the piece itself is truly powerful. On that note, horror sequels don’t need to exceed two hours. Oh wait Finn is simply interested in so many aspects of his new world, rather than the ordinary ‘narrative bloat’ feeling. Honestly, I wasn’t tired at all, though, and from my perspective, there are amazing powerful scenes here, particularly what may be termed one of the best in the idea and performance of the genre this year ‘Smile Dancers’.
I generally criticize the form of using mental illness as a horror device in movies (for instance ‘Lights Out’), and so what I admire the most in these films is that Finn’s focus is so meticulously set on the emotional reality of his heroines that these mercenary traps are skillfully evaded. Yes, there are a few too many jump scares and at least one too many twists, but it’s all forgivable when you think of the true terror in Naomi Scott’s eyes. Finn loves faces – the ones twisted by evil and the ones shattered by fear. Even more than after the first film, I am interested to see what he does next, and I am more confident that it will not just be more of the same.
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