The wound on Skye’s knee is in the shape of a smile
Narrative
As she prepares to embark on a world tour, global pop sensation Skye Riley begins to experience increasingly terrifying and inexplicable events. With mounting horrors and the pressures of fame, Skye is forced to confront her past. In one scene, Skye places a VOSS water bottle on a rock.
Skye Riley: [to Smile Entity] You’re not in control, I’m in control!
/a marble kitchen counter and a noise similar to the sound of putting down something plastic can be heard. The VOSS water bottles are glass, which the film specifically emphasizes, and thus the sound does not match the actions seen. .
Appeared in The 7PM Project: October 17, 2024 episode (2024)
Smile 2 takes the foundations of its predecessor and runs with it, offering a premise that offers endless possibilities. The filmmakers made a unique decision by centering the story around a pop star’s descent into madness, giving a new angle to psychological horror. This creative decision makes the narrative compelling, especially when the main character delivers an outstanding performance and fully captures the exploration of the character’s mind on screen.
Visually, the film is excellent
It’s well-shot, with a stunning opening sequence that immediately sets an unsettling tone—a mood that lingers throughout the film. The tension never really lets up, which keeps you on edge from start to finish. The gore is another highlight, unapologetically upfront and making sure these moments are as visceral and disturbing as the story needs them to be.
However, the supporting characters don’t add much to the overall narrative
In fact, a late addition to the story introduces an eye-rolling amount of exposition that feels unnecessary and jarringly detracts from the madness that has steadily developed throughout the film. This shift undermines the psychological intensity the film worked so hard to create. Although the supporting cast may not be memorable, the film still maintains tension thanks to a strong lead and stunning visuals.
