13/15

The scar on Skye’s knee is shaped like a smile

Plot

As she embarks on a world tour, global pop sensation Skye Riley begins to experience increasingly terrifying and unexplainable events. Overwhelmed by the mounting horrors and pressures of fame, Skye is forced to confront her past. In one scene, Skye places a VOSS water bottle on a stone/marble kitchen counter and a noise matching the sound of something plastic being placed is heard. VOSS water bottles are glass, something that is actually specifically highlighted in the film, and so the audio does not match the action seen. Skye Riley: [to the Smile Entity] You’re not in control, I am!.

Featured in The 7PM Project: Episode dated October 17, 2024 (2024)

Parker Finn’s feature-length debut, ‘Smile’, was a tense horror that commented on the devastating effects of trauma. Featuring striking visuals and production design, along with an atmospheric soundtrack, the film was both gripping and haunting, following a psychiatrist who becomes convinced that an unseen entity is stalking her after witnessing a violent incident. Boasting a strong central performance from Sosie Bacon, Smile performed well at the box office, grossing $217.4 million on a $17 million budget. Although critical reception was mixed, just a few months after its release, Finn was considering a sequel, noting that “there are still a lot of interesting things to explore in the world of Smile…” Two years later, Smile 2 is upon us. This time, the action follows pop singer Skye Riley, who begins to experience increasingly disturbing events on the eve of a world tour.

Smile 2 is that rare beast: a sequel that is arguably better than its predecessor

Forced to confront her dark past, can Skye regain control of her life before it spirals out of control? As in the first, the theme of trauma is skillfully woven into the narrative, alongside themes of control, psychosis, grief and addiction are transformed into the axes on which the horror revolves. Riley must battle her inner demons, as well as the “smile creature”, never quite sure what is reality or fantasy. This makes for an engaging and unpredictable journey, while Finn, making excellent use of visual and aural scares, takes you into the smiling heart of the horror. The threat lurks in the corner of every frame, waiting to give you a hard shock.

Likewise, he captures Riley’s performances with aplomb, lending them authenticity

From the brilliantly frenetic opening to the breathtaking finale, the film fires on all cylinders, never letting up. Finn’s characterisation is astute and his storytelling surprisingly funny; it’s a horror with black comedy at its core: in contrast to the overwhelming bleakness of its predecessor; ‘Smile 2’ has a little more to offer viewers. The film reunites Finn with most of the original’s crew, including cinematographer Charlie Sonoff. His work on the first film created an unnerving atmosphere of unpredictable instability; as he does once again. Sarnoff’s use of lighting effectively creates contrast and mood, while his framing of shots heightens the suspense of the narrative.

Night Shyamalan’s recent ‘Trap’)

While the camera can be turned upside down to create eerie effect at times, overall, Sarnoff’s stellar work compounds the impact of the proceedings; and is hauntingly captivating. Additionally, Cristobal Tapia de Veer’s score creates an unsettling ambience, imbuing the film with a raw, horrific power. While the songs written for Riley’s character are fairly generic, they are well-performed (and are considerably better than the similar songs written for Lady Raven in M. Lester Cohen’s detailed production adds an element of realism, grounding the film despite the fantastical horror of its narrative.