By Maalik Hawkins 
Trinity Times Movie Reviewer

“Smile 2” is Parker Finn’s sequel to the unpredictably petrifying film “Smile” (2022). 

This franchise has impressed audiences by transforming a simple premise — a demonic, symbiotic presence that passes on to those who witness the last host die with a smile — into horror gold. 

Top-notch script writing in the “Smile” series has garnered a dedicated fan base, suggesting it will continue to thrive with at least one more installment. 

Just when it seemed like they couldn’t come up with any more creative ideas to enhance the Smile universe, the ending of “Smile 2” dismisses that theory, and may also provide us with more insights into how this cosmos operates.

Smile 2 picks up immediately after the events of the first film (SPOILER WARNING), continuing the story of Joel (Kyle Gallner) as he tries to pass the smile entity to someone else. 

As the plot unfolds, the smile entity ultimately begins to haunt mega pop superstar Skye Riley (Naomi Scott). Skye Riley is a recovering addict and singer preparing to go on tour in an attempt to revive her career after a hiatus. However, she faces significant challenges as a malevolent entity known as the Smile Entity threatens to disrupt her life, draining her vitality until it finds a new host. 

Given her history with addiction, Skye’s life is easily manipulated by this entity, making it difficult for those around her to believe her struggles. 

Without spoiling the storyline for the viewers, it’s safe to say the film expands on the Smile universe by explaining how things work and how the entity can be defeated. It deeply explores themes of trauma, loneliness, and healing.

I wish the Oscars had a category for horror because I believe Naomi Scott delivered an award-winning performance in this film. 

It’s evident that Scott spent a lot of time studying how to bring the character Skye to life. In an interview on “Way Up with Angela Yee,” she explained how some aspects of filming were both physically and mentally challenging. 

Scott also mentioned that Skye’s character could serve as a case study on fame and trauma, highlighting how fame often feels like an unsafe environment for healing. 

She effectively portrayed loneliness in the film. Many scenes featured her either alone or with just one other person, which meant that Scott had to rely on her acting skills to elevate this dark story, and she certainly succeeded. 

Having a minimal cast allowed her to shine on her own, especially compared to other films where she shared the spotlight, like in “Power Rangers” (2017) or “Aladdin” (2019). 

Ray Nicholson, the son of Academy Award-Winner Jack Nicholson, gets a serious honorable mention for his portrayal of the character of Paul, effectively channeling his iconic father’s smile from “The Shining” (1980), which adds an element of jump scares throughout the story.

“Smile 2” has already quadrupled its budget, bringing in $83 million at the box office. Given this success, it’s likely that we’ll see a third installment. 

The viral marketing strategies used by the studio for the “Smile” franchise definitely contribute to this. They send random actors to major events, like sports games and concerts, where they stand in the audience and smile menacingly. These videos always go viral, effectively generating hype among fans to see the films.

“Smile 2” is a hit and may be your best option for something truly scary this Halloween season. I’m a horror-film junkie and this is the most frightening film I’ve seen in theaters this year. I implore you to put a smile on your face and go check it out.

Everyday Moviegoers – 8.5/10
Critics – 8.5/10
Cinephiles – 9/10

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Maalik Hawkins is a graduate student at Trinity Washington University