Naomi Scott grins and bears it in superior sequel Smile 2

Smile 2 takes what worked in the original film and cranks it up a notch, delivering a more visually engaging and psychologically tense follow-up that exceeds expectations. Director Parker Finn wastes no time diving into the terrifying world of the demonic Smile Entity, picking up the action a mere six days after the dark and downbeat ending of the first movie. This time around, after a brief preamble to efficiently hand the cursed baton to a new set of characters, he cunningly sets the reality-twisting horror against the backdrop of the dream-come-true world of pop superstardom—a fascinating juxtaposition that explores the fragility of reality alongside the glitzy illusion of fame.

The heart of the film is Skye Riley (Naomi Scott), a pop star on the verge of a major comeback after a year of recovery following a tragic accident. The set-up is a classic comeback story of a disgraced star’s redemption, but beneath the glittering surface, Skye’s psyche is cracking. Haunted by her past trauma and a history of substance abuse, it’s the latter that leads her to a fateful encounter with the entity and effectively seals her fate. Pursued by the malevolent smile that preys on her insecurities, she starts to slowly unravel, struggling to differentiate reality and hallucination and uncertain of the source of her troubles. Scott’s performance is nothing short of stunning. She masterfully balances the outward glamour of a pop star with the inner torment of someone battling forces beyond her control, carrying much of the film’s emotional and dramatic weight on her shoulders. If anything, Scott’s portrayal of Skye makes Smile 2 a superior film to its predecessor, offering a richer, more layered protagonist to anchor the horror.

The visuals in Smile 2 are also a significant step up from the first film’s miserable colour palette. The glittery, high-contrast world of pop stardom, complete with flashy concerts and industry events, becomes a fertile backdrop for the creeping dread that builds throughout the film. Finn expertly contrasts the polished perfection of the entertainment world with Skye’s crumbling sense of reality, drawing the sly parallels. How can you be expected to keep a grip on reality when your actual reality is a manufactured and ephemeral as a dream in the first place. As Skye navigates both her comeback tour and the terrifying hallucinations caused by the Smile Entity, the opulence of her world becomes increasingly unsettling. The film’s use of distorted reflections, surreal set-pieces, and twisted smiles are more creatively handled this time around, making Smile 2 an intense thrill ride rather than the doom-laden grind of its predecessor.

Yes, the film’s two-hour-plus runtime does stretch a bit long, and there are moments where the pacing dips. Some of the subplots feel underdeveloped, especially when the movie takes a moment to set aside Skye’s personal struggle to explore the lore of the Smile Entity. But what Smile 2 does exceptionally well is root the horror in a deeper exploration of fame, trauma, and the pressure to maintain a perfect image. It’s a smart evolution of the first film’s themes of psychological dread, using the public nature of Skye’s life to amplify the terror of losing control—both mentally and physically.

The film generally manages to avoid the pitfalls of over-relying on cheap scares and while there a few well-executed jump scares here and there, Finn’s true talent lies in crafting moments of genuinely escalating discomfort—times when Skye’s nightmares blend into her reality, leaving both her and the audience questioning what’s real and when the hammer finally will drop. The standout “Smile Dancers” sequence exemplifies this, blending grotesque, nightmarish imagery with the seductive allure of the pop world.

Ultimately, Smile 2 succeeds because it understands what worked and didn’t work in its predecessor and prioviding a stronger emotional anchor for its story in the process. While the first Smile was a slow-burn slog, Smile 2 feels more confident, more daring, and more visually imaginative. Naomi Scott’s fiercely committed performance is the glue holding it all together, making her descent into madness both heartbreaking and terrifying to watch. Despite a few pacing missteps, the film delivers on both the spectacle and the emotional tension, with a finale that’s almost breathtaking in its ambition and scope.