Parker Finn really surprised me with Smile. Though it marks his debut feature, the film is polished, professional, and properly terrifying. Not to mention, there’s a lot of depth to it. I wasn’t expecting a movie about a deadly entity that latches onto unsuspecting victims to pack much of a punch. I was wrong. The flick has a strong emotional core and something to say about mental health. Perhaps the most profound message is that just because someone is smiling doesn’t mean that they are happy. Many people mask deep wounds by putting on a brave face.
Seeing as Smile was a box office success, it’s no surprise that the studio greenlit a second series installment. What surprised me is that the sequel is really well done. It tackles mental health from the perspective of someone in the public eye, living life under a microscope. Writer/director Finn paints lead character Sky Riley in a sympathetic light that invokes empathy for people like Britney Spears and Amanda Bynes, who have endured very public mental health challenges, only to be met with ridicule by the general public.
With all that in mind, it’s no wonder the films have been successful. The first cleared over $200 million at the box office. The second yielded a return of $138 million. Not to mention, both series installments are ‘certified fresh’ on Rotten Tomatoes.
Dread’s Managing Editor Josh Korngut gave the film four stars and called it a “fun, mean, and maddeningly inventive sequel,” and one “that manages to outshine the original in every way.” If you haven’t yet taken in Smile 2 yet, there’s no time like the present. The sequel is now available to stream on Prime Video. The platform added the picture March 4th and it’s already claimed the top chart position.
If you’re on the fence about checking the flick out, take note that Naomi Scott’s performance as the lead character is layered and endearing. Not to mention, Finn’s direction is on point.
The setup for this horror sequel on Prime Video goes like this:
About to embark on a new world tour, global pop sensation Skye Riley (Scott) begins to experience increasingly terrifying and inexplicable events. Overwhelmed by the escalating horrors and pressures of fame, she must face her dark past to regain control of her life before it spirals out of control.
Well, that is just about all that we’ve got for you at present. Make sure to stay tuned to the site for more life-enhancing updates on which films within your niche interest set are making waves on your favorite streaming platforms. If you’d like to chat more about the merits of the Smile franchise, you can find me on Threads as @FunWithHorror.
Categorized:News
