Horror films are a dime a dozen in Hollywood for the exact reason that this sequel is out. For every dozen of these, one or two will make so much bank that their producers will expectedly seek a second try to repeat the creatvie and dollar magic again. Remember Jason Voorhees? He was out Fridays at least 13 times.
Anyway, my point is that I believe that Parker Finn who wrote and directed the first Smile movie and started this addition to pop culture mythology probably had a sequel in mind soon after the first, despite what’s claimed by the production.
They say Smile was initially conceived as a self-contained story and Finn didn’t anticipate to create a second one. “But I knew that if I was going to approach the sequel, I needed to find a character I could fall in love with all over again and something thematic and emotional to explore,” shares the filmmaker. Something tells me that the germ for the sequel started early because we got a sequel real quick.
Almost two years to the dot, we now have Smile 2 – a bigger, bloodier expansion of the Smile franchise.
Smile 2 is the same torturous ride but on a bigger stage and with bloodier carnage. Similar jump scares, but also new. The same confident flair with the camera, but also more ambitious. Which means, for fans of the original, Smile 2 is something to smile about.
Those who already have an understanding of the mechanics of the Smile curse would probably enjoy the build ups and the tension more. Those who are new to this will get enough to not get confused too much, but will get the jump scares for sure.
On with the review.
SEMI SPOILERISH BE WARNED. I’ve already said what to expect from the sequel, further reading might spoil some details. But I will definitely not spoil most of the film’s surprises including the ending. You’ve been warned.
The film opens with Joel (Kyle Gallner, the detective from the first movie) in an explosive attempt at ending the curse that doesn’t go as planned, resulting in the story next. The scene impresses with choreographed camera work and carefully planned stunts in a simulated one-take that reminds one of Extraction and Atomic Blonde. Right off the bat, director Parker Finn is telling the audience that they have a lot of tricks and surprises up their sleeve and the sequel has a bigger budget to do these this time.
The audience is then introduced to global pop song superstar Skye Riley (the very versatile Naomi Scott) in the thick of her demanding preparations for a concert world tour. Think Gaga x Taylor level of popularity. What strikes me is the film’s generous servings of original songs that accompany her rehearsals – songs that are believably true pop song productions but originally composed for the film – the ambitions of this film are almost umbelievable. Is it “just” a B-movie horror film? It seems to refuse definition.
Seeking some chemical relief from the physical strain, Skye becomes exposed to the Smile curse through an acquaintance who is in the opening scene. Skye is shocked, but just like the rest of her traumas, Skye refuses to confront them and pretends control in front of her team and the public. Thus the sequel’s premise is established: what happens when a popular star is exposed to the curse?
The first film established that the curse thrived from a person’s unresolved trauma, and Skye was the perfect victim for the second film because of this. The more she dismissed her pain, the worse the curse’s manifestations became, the deeper she sunk into personal hell.
Skye is the polar opposite of Rose (Sosie Bacon) the protagonist in Smile 1. Rose was an everyday person with a job, friends, and a relationship who fought against but eventually lost to the curse. Her back story trauma was not of her own fault. It was natural for the audience to have rooted for Rose to win.
Skye on the other hand shuts off everyone around her, her friends abandoned her, no pets, lives alone and has a back story that spells she should deserve what befalls her fate. As if it was a done deal for the get-go, and the proceedings are just to punish the audience with the physical and psychological torture she was to receive.
Fortunately, the film makes sure to communicate that nobody deserves the evil that the curse brings to its victims. The audience is subjected to brutal, visceral body horror and intense psychological test as Skye tries to regain control of her body and mind. Pretty sure the curse is punishment extreme for anyone with a troubled past. Towards the end, Skye fights to defeat the curse.
Smile 2 is an impressive production, from the costumes, the visual design, effects both practical and computer generated, to a very creative scene involving motion choreography similar to modern jazz without music – it’s a great display of next-generation filmmaking from a promising new director in Parker Finn. I also liked that the film didn’t take itself too seriously, and occasionally “says cheese” and lets its hair down with campy instances that elicited some laughter. Psychological relief for the audience from the all its intense moments.
Scott impresses with her versatility required by her character, but the trauma feels repetitive and less devastating compared to Bacon’s Rose in the first film. Somehow it doesn’t feel like building up even if events become more intense.
But of course with all the praises come some observed shortcomings – in particular, with its myth-building and mechanics. I’m not sure if the production planned a third film as soon as the second was green lit, but curse-horror fan staples such as The Ring established a path not just to end the curse but to defeat the evil entirely. Or in the case of other Asian horrors like Ju-on or Shutter, a defeatist acceptance to the finality of the curse. That the protagonists were beyond redemption in the first place, no matter what. Smile 2 launches the curse literally to a broader audience, but then what? The entire planet smiles? I feel like this edition is more Smile1.5 than a part 2. Film 3 would still have to do some explaining about the Smile monster. Again, right off the bat, the film establishes that she doesnt deserve the audience’s sympathy. Dont get me started how a big superstar like Skye had a small team to take care of her.
It’s an impressive expansion into franchise territory even if it needs filling in some more detail into its myths. We’ll definitely get the third film to do that and more so long as the boxoffice keeps smiling on this emergent franchise.
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#Smile2 is out in Philippine cinemas now from Paramount Pictures Philippines @paramountpicsph
Images and trailer link from Paramount Pictures International
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