The new sequel "Smile 2" directed by Parker Finn hit theaters on Oct. 18. This film features Naomi Scott as the main character, Skye Riley. Her performance leaves the audience horrified. Fans consider whether this movie is better than the first film, "Smile."
"Smile 2" centers around Skye Riley, a global pop sensation preparing to go on a comeback world tour when her world is suddenly flipped upside down. She begins experiencing terrifying and unexplainable events combined with the pressure of her past and current level of stardom, she begins to slowly lose her mind and attempt to come to terms with her past.
Highs
This film has many highs, I would say more than in the first "Smile" film. One of the highs centers around the actors' performances. Naomi Scott’s performance as Skye Riley is breathtaking and intense. She portrays powerful emotions incredibly well throughout the film. Her performance is very realistic and pairs well with this film's ever-increasing tone of fear and dread.
Another high point of "Smile 2" is the tone of fear throughout. This movie does an incredible job of keeping the audience guessing and at the edge of their seat. Several moments in the film are shocking and completely unexpected, leaving viewers wondering what will happen next. The director, Parker Finn, brilliantly takes what worked in his first film and amplifies it in this horror sequel.
Another critical aspect that adds to this film's uneasiness and fear is the music score, composed of creepy electronics and eerie chatter that builds in volume as we witness our main character lose her sanity. The soundtrack in this film is not only music, but fear manifested through sound.
One time during the movie, when Skye is at rehearsal, she has a bizarre hallucination of the entity with a sudden, deafening sound that makes you flinch. The fact that only she witnesses this as her co-stars surround her symbolizes that she is in a world of fear and nobody can help her. It is unlike what is heard in classic horror movies nowadays and paints a particularly haunting atmosphere that carries throughout the film. This soundtrack, combined with very believable acting, evokes a sense of fear, disarray, and mystery as Skye tries to survive with the malevolent entity haunting her.
Lows
The lows in this film are minimal. The most confusing aspect is the viewer's inability to tell what is real. If she was having a hallucination, it was so believable. Another low was the lack of background information surrounding Skye; she is a recovering drug addict, but it is hard to know what started her drug addiction. Something profound that is not told happens between her and her best friend Gemma (Dylan Gelula).
Another low point is her mother, Elizabeth (Rosemarie DeWitt). She degrades her daughter and treats her as a money-maker. Even when Skye is losing her mind, Elizabeth only believes she is on drugs. This takes a toll on Skye and she feels hopeless as no one cares about her unless it is about the tour. The last low point is the movie's ending, which confuses the audience. It does not leave on a cliffhanger, leaving the audience to question whether another "Smile" film will follow.
Verdict
"Smile 2" is worth watching, considering Scott's astonishing performance. It is horrifying and a perfect scary movie for Halloween.
Rating: 8.5 out of 10.
Mariam Fakhreddine is a film and theater reviewer for The Eastern Echo. She has worked as a news and features reporter for The Echo for two years.
