I saw 2022’s Smile in the theatre and it was honestly one of the best horror movies I saw that year! Not only that, but I have watched Smile a couple of times since then and it is a movie I have enjoyed more each time. I was so excited that writer/director Parker Finn was coming back to make a sequel in Smile 2. I have to be honest, I was not 100 percent confident this sequel was going to happen, but it did and it is nearly just as good as the first movie!
How to Download Smile 2
Smile 2 was released on October 18, 2024. You can xpect it to become available on Paramount+ for download or streaming in about 45 days fromt hat date. Click on the Download button at the end of this review and check the current availability.
The Movie Review
I saw the trailer for Smile 2 a few times and I knew that I had seen the main actress somewhere before. It was my wife who pointed out that it was the actress who played Princess Jasmine in the Aladdin movie! Naomi Scott is amazing in her role as pop princess Skye Riley who is the latest victim to come under this demonic curse from the Smile Demon.
Naomi Scott’s Impactful Performance as Skye Riley
If you have seen the original Smile movie, you pretty much know what to expect here and the trailer also lets the audience know what the deal here is. Skye Riley sees a horrific suicide right in front of her and that is what passes this curse onto her. The Smile Demon is one of my new favorite big bads in horror and it was great to see how this thing is fleshed out a bit.
Familiar Story, Unique Execution
Now, while in theory, the premise of Smile 2 is the same where we have this woman frantically trying to figure out what is happening and trying to see if she can stop it. I feel that the execution in Smile 2 is a little different and that is all down to the acting of Naomi Scott. To say that Naomi Scott gives you every single thing that she has in this performance is a massive understatement!
Unforgettable Horror Acting by Naomi Scott
Yes, the idea of the movie is very similar to the first, but you truly feel like you are seeing this poor woman absolutely lose her mind in front of you. The way she reacts to the crazy things that she is seeing as the Smile Demon is messing with you feels so real and so raw. It is honestly one of the best performances I have seen in a horror movie in quite some time.
Could Naomi Scott’s Role Deserve an Oscar?
You know, it always bugs me with the way certain movies would never in a million years be considered for an Oscar. I mean, how does the performance Naomi Scott give here not make her worthy of an Oscar nomination? She is absolutely incredible in this role, I really cannot say enough positive things.
Great Pacing and Spine-Chilling Jump Scares
Smile 2 moves along at a great pace. We get to know more about this curse, the Smile Demon and there are some great jump scares. Even when I knew a jump scare was coming, it still managed to get me. It was so much fun to see people jump and hear people freak out in the cinema as the movie was going on.
The Thrilling, Over-the-Top Final Act
Despite all the awesome stuff that Smile 2 does, it goes pretty insane in the final act of the movie. I am not saying that it is bad or anything like that, but it feels like they certainly wanted to go super big for the finale. Hey, I did not hate it, but it does feel a little bit too much. However, I am sure there will be some who love the direction it goes at the end as it is so crazy.
Final Thoughts on Smile 2 vs. the Original
If it were not for that insane final act, I think that I would say that I liked Smile 2 better than the original Smile. Naomi Scott is just amazing and for ¾ of the movie, this was honestly a 10/10 movie and one of the best movies I have seen this year. Also, when I say I prefer Smile to this, it is like by the tiniest of margins, they are both 9/10 movies for me. Who knows, this could be like that original movie and end up being one I like more and more each time I watch it! If this is still on at my local theatre on Halloween, I may go and see it again!
