By: Lana K. Wilson-Combs
While watching
"Smile 2," the grittier and more gruesome sequel to director/screenwriter
Parker Finn's 2022 hit movie, "Smile," I was reminded of The Undisputed Truth's 1971 song "Smiling Faces Sometimes," particularly the line: "Smiling faces show no traces of the evil that lurks within." This haunting theme resonates throughout "Smile 2," as the demonic entity returns, fiercer than ever, forcing its victims into unnerving and unnatural smiles.
The film kicks off with a bang and never slows down. We meet Joel (Kyle Gallner, "Smile" and "Strange Darling"), who has survived the curse and is now determined to pass it on to those he deems unworthy, such as the drug dealers he encounters. However, his plan takes a dark turn when he tries to escape.
The heart and soul of "Smile 2" lies in Naomi Scott's (“Distant”) riveting portrayal of Skye Riley, a pop singer seeking a comeback after surviving a devastating car accident that killed her movie star boyfriend, Paul (Ray Nicholson, son of Jack Nicholson ("I Love You Forever"). Both were heavily coked up before the crash.
Now, Skye grapples with guilt and the struggle to stay clean while managing lingering back pain that sometimes leads her to sneak Vicodin that she gets from her drug dealer friend Lewis (Lukas Gage, "Road House").
The pressure to get back on stage mounts from every direction—her record label head Darius (Raul Castillo, "Cassandro"), her fans, and her demanding mother/manager, Elizabeth (a terrific Rosemarie DeWitt, TV's "The Boys").
An appearance on "The Drew Barrymore Show" is intended to help Skye share her story and pave the way for her upcoming tour.
This shape-shifting demon preys on the weak-minded, and Skye finds herself vulnerable. The film cleverly blurs the line between mental breakdown and supernatural possession, leaving viewers questioning Skye's reality. When she witnesses a brutal incident involving Lewis, it becomes clear that she may be the demon's next target.
What follows is a nightmarish descent into chaos for Skye and those around her, including her estranged best friend Gemma (Dylan Gelula, TV's "Hacks").
"Smile 2" features jarring jump scares that kept me on edge and had some clever comedic moments too.
While the horror elements are effective, it is the grounded pop star storyline that elevates "Smile 2," making us deeply invested in Skye's chilling journey to survival and our sights set on a "Smile 3."
Editor's Note: Be sure to catch my N2Entertainment.net movie talk segment on the Kitty O'Neal Show Fridays now at 5:17 p.m. and 6:47 p.m. on radio station KFBK 93.1 FM and 1530 AM.
Look At This Trailer For
"SMILE 2"
Lana K. Wilson-Combs is a member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA), The American Film Institute (AFI), and a Nominating Committee Voting Member for the NAACP Image Awards.
