The first reactions to Parker Finn’s highly anticipated sequel Smile 2have just hit the Internet — and by the looks of it, the psychological thriller may be on track to outshine its predecessor. Although Smile 2 won’t arrive in theaters for another week, critics are already raving about the scares and special effects, which paint a promising picture for the future of the franchise.
A follow-up to the original 2022 box office hit, Smile 2 casts Naomi Scott as Skye Riley, a pop star sensation preparing to embark on a world tour when inexplicably terrifying events force her to confront her dark past — or risk losing everything. The iconic trauma-chasing demon is back in a big way, haunting an ensemble cast that includes Euphoria‘s Lukas Gage, Amexicano‘s Raúl Castillo, Dream Scenario‘s Dylan Galula, and Rosemarie Dewitt from the 2015 Poltergeist remake. Fans will also recognize a familiar face in the film: Kyle Gallner, reprising his role from the original Smile.
Although official reviews of Smile 2 have not yet been published, critics are taking to X (formerly known as Twitter) to share their glowing praise for the spooky sequel. Russ Milheim from The Direct stated that the film is “an insanely unsettling, nerve-wracking experience,” before adding, “The film really shines in its opening and final acts, where it paints an intriguing image of the franchise’s future.” Rachel Shatto, host of the More Deadly podcast, reported that she was shaken up after the screening, saying, “Just pure unfettered horror that ups the ante in every way. Gory, mean, and heartbreaking.” Finally, Drew Taylor of The Wrap described the film as “funnier, stranger, bigger, and most importantly scarier than the original” before simply concluding, “Parker Finn is the real deal.”
What These Reactions Mean for the Future of the Smile Franchise
Sequels have a hit-or-miss history in Hollywood, but it’s not entirely surprising that Smile 2 has received such rave reviews. The original film was an unexpected success for Paramount Pictures — so successful, in fact, that it earned a theatrical release despite initially being intended for streaming services only. Smile also embraced some unconventional advertising techniques, including hiring actors to attend MLB games sporting a creepy grin while staring into the camera and donning shirts that ominously stated, “SMILE.” These techniques, combined with the movie’s original and terrifying premise, have helped the Smile franchise stand out from its competition so far. But with such high expectations, what will the franchise look like in future installments?
Although a third Smile film isn’t likely to be in the works for some time, franchise director Parker Finn has already incorporated innovative elements that make Smile 2 stand out just as much as the original did. Some reviewers of Smile 2 discussed the dance numbers featured in the film as a result of its musical setting, with the soundtrack being used as yet another clever advertising scheme to make the film appear differently in trailers to keep audiences guessing. All in all, it seems Finn still has quite a few tricks up his sleeve for the future of the Smile franchise.
About to embark on a new world tour, global pop sensation Skye Riley (Naomi Scott) begins experiencing increasingly terrifying and inexplicable events. Overwhelmed by the escalating horrors and the pressures of fame, Skye is forced to face her dark past to regain control of her life before it spirals out of control.