In 2022, filmmaker Parker Finn captivated horror fans with Smile. Somewhere between It Follows, The Ring, and Final Destination, Smile turned out to be an unexpected success. A clever film, and above all, at times terrifying, thanks to an intelligent use of jump scares. Now, Parker Finn is back with Smile 2, and the sequel surpasses the original in every way.
Smile 2: A Major Hit!
Without revolutionizing the genre, Smile was an entertaining film inspired by looping narratives like It Follows and The Ring. It relied on a skillful use of jump scares and a seductive soundtrack. Even though the ending was somewhat disappointing, too formulaic and predictable for mainstream horror, Smile was still convincing enough to leave us eager for a sequel.
Parker Finn returns as director for Smile 2. Naomi Scott replaces Sosie Bacon in the lead role, and Finn shifts the setting to a completely different environment: the music world. Smile 2 follows a pop star, a former addict, as she tries to regain control of her life and career—until the Smile demon sets its sights on her.
Surprisingly, Smile 2 surpasses its predecessor in every way. Longer (at 2 hours and 15 minutes—quite long for a horror movie), more violent, and more intense, Parker Finn appears to have had more creative freedom on this second installment. And he goes all out, much to the delight of horror enthusiasts.
The opening sequence is intense and immediately sets the tone. Parker Finn delivers a mind-blowing opening scene with an underlying sense of horror. Leaning more towards thriller or action, the introduction, visually stunning, is one of the film’s standout moments. With its cold aesthetic, snowy setting, and brilliant circular tracking shots, Smile 2 kicks off at full speed, with an intro that blends elements of Longlegs and It Follows. This introduction sets the stage for a non-stop rollercoaster of chills.
A Surprisingly Bold Film
Smile 2 manages to maintain the identity of the original while avoiding repetition. The film doesn’t recycle the events of the first one, either in its treatment of horror or its themes. Parker Finn offers incredibly well-executed horror sequences. Like in the first movie, the director uses jump scares intelligently. They may be placed where expected, but always with remarkable effectiveness. It’s hard not to jump at least once, as some of the editing choices are truly spine-chilling.
The filmmaker also pushes the boundaries of creativity beyond the first installment. Besides the incredible opening, Finn presents some absolutely amazing moments. A standout is when Naomi Scott is attacked by a horde of possessed dancers—a surreal, excellently choreographed scene with a disturbing horror approach. It recalls hybrid creatures like those in Evil Dead Rise or Color Out of Space, but without bodily fusion or assimilation. Arguably the best scene of the film.
Moreover, Smile 2 impresses with its bold conclusion. Parker Finn delivers a fearlessly daring finale (no spoilers here), which is especially rare in the current horror landscape. Finn defies conventions and clichés, refusing a happy ending to present a stunning conclusion, without hope, marked by an overwhelming sense of inescapable fate. The ending is brutal, a brilliant meta reflection on our modern consumer society. It’s absolutely genius, brutal, bleak to the core, and unusually violent for mainstream Hollywood horror. Hats off to Parker Finn for that.
In addition to being genuinely terrifying, Smile 2 is also surprisingly intelligent. With this sequel, Parker Finn has more to say. He offers a sharp, critical look at modern society, tackling the dangers of fame, the pressure of the entertainment industry, and also pointing out the behavior of fans and spectators. He explores our consumer culture, voyeurism, and how social media has become a weapon against us. Finn also delves into addiction, both to drugs (a theme reminiscent of Fede Alvarez’s Evil Dead remake) and to smartphones, questioning how individuals handle fame and mental health. This theme finds its full expression in the shockingly bold conclusion.
Beyond that, Smile 2 cleverly advances its mythology without giving too much away or falling into genre clichés, while providing new insights for the audience. Once again, the demon’s development is highlighted in the film’s conclusion, with some mind-blowing organic horror effects, almost akin to torture porn, reminiscent of John Carpenter and rivaling the Nightmare on Elm Street saga.
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