809 reviews
- cameronroberts-26810
- Oct 22, 2024
- Permalink
It's pretty similar in structure and how it plays out to the first movie, so if you liked 1 then you'll like 2. But where this movie really shines is Naomi Scott. She gave this movie 1,000% and I was absolutely blown away by her performance. She demonstrates so much range and brings an intensity to the movie that was definitely not present in the first movie. They also really amped up the gore here, which I enjoyed.
As for issues, as mentioned previously it's quite similar to the first movie. I was hoping for the formula to get changed up a little, but it follows the same blueprint. Also, as this movie is almost completely standalone, it treads some similar ground in terms of lore and learning about what the "entity" is. So if you've seen the first movie, you'll get some repetitive aspects there.
It's still solid enough on its own though. There are some very creepy sequences, great gore, and Naomi Scott being the absolute shining star of the movie. It's definitely worth seeing just for her performance alone.
As for issues, as mentioned previously it's quite similar to the first movie. I was hoping for the formula to get changed up a little, but it follows the same blueprint. Also, as this movie is almost completely standalone, it treads some similar ground in terms of lore and learning about what the "entity" is. So if you've seen the first movie, you'll get some repetitive aspects there.
It's still solid enough on its own though. There are some very creepy sequences, great gore, and Naomi Scott being the absolute shining star of the movie. It's definitely worth seeing just for her performance alone.
- thecanadian-23317
- Oct 18, 2024
- Permalink
Smile 1 was far superior for me. The main character of this film wasn't likeable or relatable. I really wish the film would have been about Joel, would have been really interesting and he's much more likeable. Way too many jumpscares, I didnt like how the hallucinations went way way overboard. I felt frustrated while watching this, rules were thrown out the window. We didn't get any new information about the entity which is what really interests me. None of the characters were likeable. This movie was dumbed down big time to please the dumbed down masses. Way too many loss water plugs, I couldn't stand thr hair pulling. I can go on and on. The first one was terrific, this one falls short.
- gingersnap-79463
- Oct 26, 2024
- Permalink
I did not have the highest hopes for 'Smile 2'. It seemed like a concept that had one film in it and nothing more. How wrong I was. This film took an above average horror film in the original, and said we are going to better it in every way.
I mean don't get me wrong, it's still popcorn horror, but it's popcorn horror of the highest quality. Jump-scares rarely get anything out of me these days. This one had be jump out of my chair multiple times. I do have to make a note on this however - these did seem like the loudest jump-scares I've ever heard in a cinema. Even when the fright didn't work the sheer noise was capable of being quite startling. Not entirely sure if that was just the volume in my cinema or the sound mixing.
I worried when we were introduced to the lead character, and she was a pop-star, that it was going to be hard to side with her. Pop-stars in real life haven't exactly made themselves the most likeable of people over the last couple of decades. Her character was quite well created though. She was flawed, but she was also very personable and easy to side with. It helped that we got a terrific performance out of Naomi Scott it has to be said.
A good opening scene in horror movie has become a lost art. It's so important to get your audience hooked from the get go and set the standard. Many modern horror films forget about this, but not this film. The opening scene was great and really kicked the film off on the right note.
This film is pretty long for a horror film, coming in at over 2 hours. That's an ambitious ask to keep the quality up for that long and I kept wondering when it was all going to fall apart. It never did though and it even stuck the ending which I was really worried it wasn't going to do. I never thought I'd be writing this, but 'Smile 2' is going to be a contender for one of the best horror films of 2024. 9.5/10.
I mean don't get me wrong, it's still popcorn horror, but it's popcorn horror of the highest quality. Jump-scares rarely get anything out of me these days. This one had be jump out of my chair multiple times. I do have to make a note on this however - these did seem like the loudest jump-scares I've ever heard in a cinema. Even when the fright didn't work the sheer noise was capable of being quite startling. Not entirely sure if that was just the volume in my cinema or the sound mixing.
I worried when we were introduced to the lead character, and she was a pop-star, that it was going to be hard to side with her. Pop-stars in real life haven't exactly made themselves the most likeable of people over the last couple of decades. Her character was quite well created though. She was flawed, but she was also very personable and easy to side with. It helped that we got a terrific performance out of Naomi Scott it has to be said.
A good opening scene in horror movie has become a lost art. It's so important to get your audience hooked from the get go and set the standard. Many modern horror films forget about this, but not this film. The opening scene was great and really kicked the film off on the right note.
This film is pretty long for a horror film, coming in at over 2 hours. That's an ambitious ask to keep the quality up for that long and I kept wondering when it was all going to fall apart. It never did though and it even stuck the ending which I was really worried it wasn't going to do. I never thought I'd be writing this, but 'Smile 2' is going to be a contender for one of the best horror films of 2024. 9.5/10.
- jtindahouse
- Oct 16, 2024
- Permalink
- salem_alqahtani
- Oct 17, 2024
- Permalink
I just watched the movie at a premiere here in my country and i was pleasantly surprised by this actress: Naomi Scott!
Her acting was top notch!! Her screams, her grimaces were so good, her acting was very convincing!! The movie is a little bit slow but it is not boring! It has very brutal and gory scenes when the killings happened! The gory effects were scary and not for a weak stomach!
The opening scene of the movie was chaotically filmed but in a good way, Kyle Gallner's small role was perfect! And oh boy..poor guy!(I don't want to do a spoiler but..yeah, poor guy) The musical part of the movie(yes, it has little musical scenes miles better than what we saw in Joker 2) were pretty cool with some good songs! Well, my opinion? I like it!! A little bit slow at some parts but it was a very decent sequel!! It deserves your attention and go and see it on a big screen!! Not for kids, definitely! Some really brutal scenes in the movie!!
Her acting was top notch!! Her screams, her grimaces were so good, her acting was very convincing!! The movie is a little bit slow but it is not boring! It has very brutal and gory scenes when the killings happened! The gory effects were scary and not for a weak stomach!
The opening scene of the movie was chaotically filmed but in a good way, Kyle Gallner's small role was perfect! And oh boy..poor guy!(I don't want to do a spoiler but..yeah, poor guy) The musical part of the movie(yes, it has little musical scenes miles better than what we saw in Joker 2) were pretty cool with some good songs! Well, my opinion? I like it!! A little bit slow at some parts but it was a very decent sequel!! It deserves your attention and go and see it on a big screen!! Not for kids, definitely! Some really brutal scenes in the movie!!
- jinxedmihai
- Oct 15, 2024
- Permalink
Naomi Scott absolutely outdid herself in this role. I didn't know she was THIS talented before-that was my mistake. I loved the movie, and I was really on edge while watching it, I thoroughly enjoyed it. The storyline is more successful than the first movie. Some might say it's a repeat of the first film, and to some extent, they're right. Does this movie offer something new? Do we learn anything new? The answer is no. But it's incredibly enjoyable and tense, giving us two hours of gripping entertainment. Also, I loved how this time they focused more on the psychological aspects. Great music and costumes. The only thing that bothered me was how much the film toyed with our minds. The fact that some events in the movie don't actually happen, and that it is hard to tell what's real and what's happening in the character's mind is fun at first, but after a while, it gets tiring. Great ending. Looks like a new movie is on the way. I'll be waiting. <3.
- ozgecinar_
- Oct 18, 2024
- Permalink
Parker Finn's feature debut 'Smile' was a tense horror that made commentary about the devastating effects of trauma. Featuring striking visuals and production design, alongside an atmospheric score, the film was both compelling and creepy, following a psychiatrist who becomes convinced 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, taking in $217.4 million on a $17 million budget.
Although critical opinion was mixed, only months after its release, Finn was thinking about a sequel, noting "there is still a lot of interesting stuff to explore in the world of Smile..." Fast forward two years, and 'Smile 2' is upon us. This time around, the action follows pop singer Skye Riley, who starts experiencing increasingly disturbing events on the cusp of a world tour. Forced to face her dark past, can Skye regain control of her life before it spirals out of control?
'Smile 2' is a very rare beast: a sequel that is arguably better than its predecessor. As in the first, the theme of trauma is cleverly interwoven into the narrative, alongside which themes of control, psychosis, grief and addiction are made the lynchpins upon which the horror revolves. Riley must battle both her internal demons as well as the 'smile creature,' never sure what is reality or fantasy. This makes for both a compelling and unpredictable ride, as Finn, making excellent use of both visual and audio jump-scares, takes one into the grinning heart of terror.
Menace lurks in the corner of every frame, waiting to give you a sharp shock. From the brilliantly frenetic opening to the barnstormer of an ending, the film fires on all cylinders, never letting up. Finn's characterisation is astute, and his narrative surprisingly funny; it's a horror with pitch-black comedy at its core: in contrast to the overwhelming bleakness of its predecessor; 'Smile 2' has a bit more to offer viewers.
The film reunites Finn with the majority of the crew from the original, including cinematographer Charlie Sonoff. His work on the first film created an unnerving atmosphere of unpredictable instability; as it does once again. Sarnoff's use of lighting effectively generates contrast and mood, while his framing of images heightens the narrative's suspense. Similarly, he captures Riley's performances with aplomb, lending them authenticity. Although the camera might be flipped upside-down to create an ominous effect one too many times, overall, Sarnoff's stellar work compounds the impact of proceedings; and is creepily captivating.
Moreover, Cristobal Tapia de Veer's score generates a disturbing ambience, imbuing the film with a raw, horrific power. While the songs written for the Riley character are fairly generic, they are performed well (and are considerably better than the similar tunes written for the Lady Raven character in M. Night Shyamalan's recent 'Trap').
Lester Cohen's detailed production adds an element of realism, grounding the film despite the fantastical horror of its narrative. In addition, Alexis Forte's costume design effectively contributes to the personalities of the characters, particularly Riley's. Her work for Riley's on-stage costumes is particularly impressive. Furthermore, Elliot Greenberg's editing establishes for the film a steady pace, meaning- even at over two hours- it never drags.
Naomi Scott stars as Riley, delivering a powerful, compelling performance that is the stand-out of her career thus far- as well as, perhaps, the stand-out of the year. Scott portrays Riley's multifaceted, flawed personality with nuance, realistically capturing her internal struggles, adding depth to the character. Scott's portrayal of Riley's fear and resilience in the face of mounting horrors is both believable and gripping. An immensely versatile talent, Scott has all the qualities of a great scream queen, as well as brilliant comedic-timing and a strong singing voice. She is- to put it simply- absolutely terrific.
Her supporting cast don't let her down. Rosemarie DeWitt does stellar work as Riley's mother and manager Elizabeth, bringing complexity to the role. Dylan Gelula is commendable as Gemma, Riley's best friend, while Lukas Gage and Ray Nicholson both impress as Lewis, her drug dealer, and Paul, her ex-boyfriend, respectfully. In addition, Kyle Gallner briefly reprises his role as Joel from the first film, doing great work, and Iván Carlo is fantastically creepy as Riley's number-one-fan (somewhat comically named 'man with bad skin').
In conclusion, Parker Finn's 'Smile 2' is an improvement over its predecessor in nearly every regard. Both frightening and fun, the narrative engages and exhilarates, while Finn's characterisation is impactful. Boasting atmospheric sound design and cinematography, as well as fastidious editing from Elliot Greenberg; it is hard to fault. Moreover, star Naomi Scott is marvellous and her co-stars don't disappoint. In short, 'Smile 2' is sure to leave you grinning.
Although critical opinion was mixed, only months after its release, Finn was thinking about a sequel, noting "there is still a lot of interesting stuff to explore in the world of Smile..." Fast forward two years, and 'Smile 2' is upon us. This time around, the action follows pop singer Skye Riley, who starts experiencing increasingly disturbing events on the cusp of a world tour. Forced to face her dark past, can Skye regain control of her life before it spirals out of control?
'Smile 2' is a very rare beast: a sequel that is arguably better than its predecessor. As in the first, the theme of trauma is cleverly interwoven into the narrative, alongside which themes of control, psychosis, grief and addiction are made the lynchpins upon which the horror revolves. Riley must battle both her internal demons as well as the 'smile creature,' never sure what is reality or fantasy. This makes for both a compelling and unpredictable ride, as Finn, making excellent use of both visual and audio jump-scares, takes one into the grinning heart of terror.
Menace lurks in the corner of every frame, waiting to give you a sharp shock. From the brilliantly frenetic opening to the barnstormer of an ending, the film fires on all cylinders, never letting up. Finn's characterisation is astute, and his narrative surprisingly funny; it's a horror with pitch-black comedy at its core: in contrast to the overwhelming bleakness of its predecessor; 'Smile 2' has a bit more to offer viewers.
The film reunites Finn with the majority of the crew from the original, including cinematographer Charlie Sonoff. His work on the first film created an unnerving atmosphere of unpredictable instability; as it does once again. Sarnoff's use of lighting effectively generates contrast and mood, while his framing of images heightens the narrative's suspense. Similarly, he captures Riley's performances with aplomb, lending them authenticity. Although the camera might be flipped upside-down to create an ominous effect one too many times, overall, Sarnoff's stellar work compounds the impact of proceedings; and is creepily captivating.
Moreover, Cristobal Tapia de Veer's score generates a disturbing ambience, imbuing the film with a raw, horrific power. While the songs written for the Riley character are fairly generic, they are performed well (and are considerably better than the similar tunes written for the Lady Raven character in M. Night Shyamalan's recent 'Trap').
Lester Cohen's detailed production adds an element of realism, grounding the film despite the fantastical horror of its narrative. In addition, Alexis Forte's costume design effectively contributes to the personalities of the characters, particularly Riley's. Her work for Riley's on-stage costumes is particularly impressive. Furthermore, Elliot Greenberg's editing establishes for the film a steady pace, meaning- even at over two hours- it never drags.
Naomi Scott stars as Riley, delivering a powerful, compelling performance that is the stand-out of her career thus far- as well as, perhaps, the stand-out of the year. Scott portrays Riley's multifaceted, flawed personality with nuance, realistically capturing her internal struggles, adding depth to the character. Scott's portrayal of Riley's fear and resilience in the face of mounting horrors is both believable and gripping. An immensely versatile talent, Scott has all the qualities of a great scream queen, as well as brilliant comedic-timing and a strong singing voice. She is- to put it simply- absolutely terrific.
Her supporting cast don't let her down. Rosemarie DeWitt does stellar work as Riley's mother and manager Elizabeth, bringing complexity to the role. Dylan Gelula is commendable as Gemma, Riley's best friend, while Lukas Gage and Ray Nicholson both impress as Lewis, her drug dealer, and Paul, her ex-boyfriend, respectfully. In addition, Kyle Gallner briefly reprises his role as Joel from the first film, doing great work, and Iván Carlo is fantastically creepy as Riley's number-one-fan (somewhat comically named 'man with bad skin').
In conclusion, Parker Finn's 'Smile 2' is an improvement over its predecessor in nearly every regard. Both frightening and fun, the narrative engages and exhilarates, while Finn's characterisation is impactful. Boasting atmospheric sound design and cinematography, as well as fastidious editing from Elliot Greenberg; it is hard to fault. Moreover, star Naomi Scott is marvellous and her co-stars don't disappoint. In short, 'Smile 2' is sure to leave you grinning.
- reelreviewsandrecommendations
- Oct 16, 2024
- Permalink
- christiankg-851-203433
- Oct 31, 2024
- Permalink
- missy-orrell
- Oct 18, 2024
- Permalink
- jarradcgower
- Oct 27, 2024
- Permalink
Smile 2 delivers a few decent scares, but it fails to bring anything fresh to the table. The story feels repetitive, and the ending is both confusing and anticlimactic, as if it was abruptly cut short. The film's bloated runtime only adds to the frustration, dragging out a narrative that could have been much tighter.
However, Naomi Scott's stunning performance is the highlight, infusing the film with emotional depth and intensity. While she shines, the rest of the movie feels like an unnecessary sequel, more of the same but stretched too thin. It's mediocre at best, offering little beyond what the first film already accomplished.
However, Naomi Scott's stunning performance is the highlight, infusing the film with emotional depth and intensity. While she shines, the rest of the movie feels like an unnecessary sequel, more of the same but stretched too thin. It's mediocre at best, offering little beyond what the first film already accomplished.
- sarantis_r
- Dec 3, 2024
- Permalink
A very disturbing portrayal of the Smile phenomenon using the pop music scene and celebrity culture as a backdrop. Skye the central character is front and center in this horrifying story that presents layers upon layers of one's life spiraling out of control. We see most of the story from Skye point of view and so the movie does a great job of building empathy for the character in spite of all her moral failings. It also presents some deep themes on the toxic culture of pop stardom. In the movie, Smile takes on many meanings as it also reflects the pressure of showing up and smiling for the cameras when one's mental health is in shambles. Her momager, her assistant and fans all seem reasonable in the chaos yet their actions seem to become instruments of torture. It's so disturbing, Personally I feel like the Skye goes through too much and at the end I was just relieved that the movie was over. If you are into body horror then you would love this. The movie is quite scary but it is more disturbing than it's scary.
- sammyadelaiye
- Oct 21, 2024
- Permalink
- raouldukes
- Oct 21, 2024
- Permalink
I don't think i've ever seen anything with Naomi Scott before (I don't watch disney trash) and I have to say she was phenomenal in this role.
Had no idea if she was a singer but she did very well in this film, all the credit in the world to her for this performance.
Onto the film itself.
Its a rare find that a sequel matches up to the original. I don't want to say that this was better, as the premise is set if you have seen the original. I wonder now if I hadn't how I would have appreciated this film.
The intensity of this film is set to 9/10 throughout, with some parts hitting perfect 11's. I thought it would take a lot to truly eclipse the original but this deserves a place all of its own.
The ending was superb. I really have to hand it to them. I wasn't sure how I was going to feel but it was a wild ride. It had all the necessities of a top 40 pop styling with the ominous darkness of an episode of Black Mirror.
It ran smoothly and honestly, its not as much of a 'thinker' as you might expect. You just sit down, buckle up, and enjoy the car crash an all the horrors that come with it.
Its unapologetically unconventional. They have truly taken the cliché's and expectedness out of this one. How can you anticipate anything when nothing is real.
It doesn't necessarily have to follow chronological order or even be set in the same timeline as the original to succeed (i believe that's what disney tries to market as a "universe" when they are too lazy to explain things) but as I said, this is a standalone film.
This is definitely on par, and as good as the original. I think a 3rd installment would have to be something extreme, with a much bigger budget. It definitely deserves it. If not, this was an ultimate way to go out. That ending was pretty damn amazing.
The supporting cast do a great job. I didn't even recognise Rosmarie DeWitt, that blew my mind. Peter Jacobson did a good job. Most of them did, to be honest. Some difficult roles to play here with jarring emotional transitions.
I was going to give this a 7 but I truly think it deserves an 8. Naomi Scott is just incredible here
Entertainment Value 8.5/10 Overall Rating 8/10
I truly enjoyed watching this film. If you're a fan of horror, and can appreciate the non-pandering kind, with not-so-predictable elements, this is more than worth the watch.
But I would still see the first one so you have the proper build up, and then forget everything you think you know about it.
Well done.
Had no idea if she was a singer but she did very well in this film, all the credit in the world to her for this performance.
Onto the film itself.
Its a rare find that a sequel matches up to the original. I don't want to say that this was better, as the premise is set if you have seen the original. I wonder now if I hadn't how I would have appreciated this film.
The intensity of this film is set to 9/10 throughout, with some parts hitting perfect 11's. I thought it would take a lot to truly eclipse the original but this deserves a place all of its own.
The ending was superb. I really have to hand it to them. I wasn't sure how I was going to feel but it was a wild ride. It had all the necessities of a top 40 pop styling with the ominous darkness of an episode of Black Mirror.
It ran smoothly and honestly, its not as much of a 'thinker' as you might expect. You just sit down, buckle up, and enjoy the car crash an all the horrors that come with it.
Its unapologetically unconventional. They have truly taken the cliché's and expectedness out of this one. How can you anticipate anything when nothing is real.
It doesn't necessarily have to follow chronological order or even be set in the same timeline as the original to succeed (i believe that's what disney tries to market as a "universe" when they are too lazy to explain things) but as I said, this is a standalone film.
This is definitely on par, and as good as the original. I think a 3rd installment would have to be something extreme, with a much bigger budget. It definitely deserves it. If not, this was an ultimate way to go out. That ending was pretty damn amazing.
The supporting cast do a great job. I didn't even recognise Rosmarie DeWitt, that blew my mind. Peter Jacobson did a good job. Most of them did, to be honest. Some difficult roles to play here with jarring emotional transitions.
I was going to give this a 7 but I truly think it deserves an 8. Naomi Scott is just incredible here
Entertainment Value 8.5/10 Overall Rating 8/10
I truly enjoyed watching this film. If you're a fan of horror, and can appreciate the non-pandering kind, with not-so-predictable elements, this is more than worth the watch.
But I would still see the first one so you have the proper build up, and then forget everything you think you know about it.
Well done.
- martymoves
- Jan 21, 2025
- Permalink
- fisher-21578
- Dec 18, 2024
- Permalink
Not worth watching for 20bucks play cod warzone new season you be hell scared. Disappointing follow-up that relies on cheap jump scares and recycled plot points from the original. Instead of building on the psychological tension that made the first movie interesting, it feels like a lazy cash grab. The characters are one-dimensional, and the story lacks any real depth or originality. By the time the predictable ending rolls around, you'll be left wondering why you wasted your time. It's more of the same, but with even less substance. Skip this one if you're looking for something fresh or genuinely terrifying.
I am mentally always setting a low bar for remakes and sequels. Traditionally these are mistakes to do. However I was pleasantly surprised how much fun this turned out to be! The lead actress killed it as Smiles next victim. Genuinely could feel her terrors her eyes.
The first movie did an excellent set up for the story, but I gotta say I enjoyed this more than the first one. Bringing back the policeman character was an excellent way to start this new one.
I felt the deaths were creative and gory and even described a scene to my friends as "beautifully choreographed". I am quite sure I have never said that for a horror movie scene in my entire life. 😂
The movie even provided genuine laughs from the audience and myself!
The first movie did an excellent set up for the story, but I gotta say I enjoyed this more than the first one. Bringing back the policeman character was an excellent way to start this new one.
I felt the deaths were creative and gory and even described a scene to my friends as "beautifully choreographed". I am quite sure I have never said that for a horror movie scene in my entire life. 😂
The movie even provided genuine laughs from the audience and myself!
- missjeanette
- Oct 15, 2024
- Permalink
"Smile 2" is a good film that, without being a masterpiece, manages to tell a solid story of horror and suspense. Its predecessor "Smile" is an overrated film, but this sequel improves in many aspects of the script. The cinematography is good, especially in those pop music atmosphere scenes. The makeup effects are realistic and gory. The performances are good, highlighting Naomi Scott and Kyle Gallner. Director Parker Finn demonstrates maturity in his cinematographic style, obviously surpassing himself. The soundtrack is gloomy and accentuates the suspense in several scenes. It is worth mentioning that the scene of Sky's apartment being invaded by characters with devilish smiles will become an iconic scene in horror movies. "Smile 2" is one of those sequels that surpasses the first film.
- skyflyerjen-53-760737
- Oct 19, 2024
- Permalink
- Tmovieperson
- Oct 18, 2024
- Permalink
- jacobsolis-12199
- Oct 20, 2024
- Permalink