About the film (courtesy of Paramount Pictures):
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.

Smile 2 starts out with a lot of potential, well at least for the first five minutes. After that, you’re left asking yourself over and over “Why? Why greenlight a sequel to a mediocre first movie and what is the purpose of this sequel?” It’s a question that lingers throughout the entirety of this overlong, underwhelming horror flick, leaving the viewer with a frown far deeper than any smile the film attempts to conjure.

One of the most glaring issues is the sheer lack of chemistry amongst the actors. Naomi Scott, while a talented actress, seems lost in a role that requires her to oscillate between terrified victim and defiant survivor, a transition that feels jarring and unconvincing. The supporting cast fares no better, their performances falling flat and failing to elicit any empathy or concern from the audience.

The plot itself is lackluster at best, a rehash of familiar horror tropes with little originality or innovation. The “smile” curse, while effectively creepy in the first film, feels tired and overused here, its impact diluted by repetition and predictability. The film tries to delve into the psychological trauma associated with the curse, but these attempts are superficial and ultimately fail to add any depth or meaning to the narrative.

Adding to the film’s woes is the direction, which seems to go in every direction all at once. Parker Finn, who also directed the first film, struggles to maintain a consistent tone, veering between moments of genuine tension and scenes of almost comical absurdity. This inconsistency creates a jarring viewing experience, leaving the audience unsure whether to be scared or simply confused.

Perhaps the most frustrating aspect of Smile 2 is the behavior of the characters. Their actions are often illogical and nonsensical, defying all sense of reason and self-preservation. I lost track of the number of eye rolls and disappointed head shakes I made during this marathon of mundane redundancy. Seriously, a horror flick that’s 132 minutes long?! The film overstays its welcome by at least half an hour, dragging the audience through a series of repetitive and predictable scares that fail to generate any real suspense or terror.

And even with all of my negativity, I acknowledge that there will be those that find this to be a worthy experience. Taste is subjective, and some viewers may find enjoyment in the film’s jump scares and gruesome imagery. However, for me, Smile 2 left me with no smile or smirk, only a frown with two thumbs down. I simply can’t find one redeeming factor in this disappointing sequel.

If you’re looking for a truly terrifying and thought-provoking horror film, I suggest looking elsewhere. Smile 2 is a tired retread of familiar territory, offering nothing new or exciting to the genre. It’s a film that will likely leave you feeling more frustrated than frightened, and ultimately, that’s the scariest thing about it.

Smile 2 is in theaters Friday, October 18th with early showtimes Thursday evening. Remember to put on a happy face…