28/36
Overwhelmed by the mounting horrors and pressures of fame, Skye is forced to confront her past
Narrative
Before embarking on her world tour, global pop sensation Skye Riley begins to experience increasingly terrifying and inexplicable events. Kyle Gallner is the only actor to reprise his role from the first film to date. In one scene, Skye places a VOSS water bottle on a stone/marble kitchen countertop and a sound is heard that is consistent with the sound of something plastic being put down.
Featured in the 7PM Project: October 17, 2024 episode (2024)
VOSS water bottles are made of glass, which is emphasized in the film, so the sound does not match the action. Skye Riley: [to the Smile Creature] You have no control, I do! Smile 2 builds on and follows the foundation of its predecessor, offering a premise that provides endless possibilities.
Visually, the film is excellent
The filmmakers have made the unique choice to center the story around a pop star’s descent into madness, giving a fresh perspective to psychological horror. This creative decision makes for a compelling narrative, especially since the lead actor delivers a superb performance, fully capturing the character’s mental transformations on screen. It’s well-shot, with a stunning opening sequence that immediately sets an unsettling tone – a mood that is maintained throughout the film.
However, the supporting cast contributes little to the overall narrative
The tension never lets up, keeping you on your toes from start to finish. Another highlight is the brutality, blunt and straightforward, that makes these moments as emotional and disturbing as they should be for the story. In fact, the late addition to the story introduces a dizzying amount of exposition that feels unnecessary and jarringly off-kilter from the madness that has been steadily building throughout the film.
This change undermines the psychological intensity that the film has worked so hard to establish
While the supporting characters may not be memorable, the film still maintains tension with a strong lead performance and striking visuals.
