'Smile 2' not for the faint of heart

Smile 2 picks up where the first movie leaves off, reintroducing the audience to Joel, who has been cursed by the Smile Entity. The Smile Entity passes from one person to the next, deliberately causing the death of whoever it passes on. In Smile 2, the Entity is passed onto Skye Riley, who’s a New York-based pop star preparing for a comeback tour. It doesn’t just end with her.

Is Smile 2 Truly Scary?

Smile 2 opens at a slow pace, seemingly calm, but things take a twisted turn when Joel appears with the Smile Entity curse, attempting to pass it down. His attempt at sparing his own life by trying to take another life goes wrong. He winds up killed off, leading the viewer to be met with Skye Riley—a pop sensation, looking to make her comeback. As the viewer consumes Smile 2, the viewer learns that Skye not only struggled with a substance abuse problem, but she’s the reason for the death of her actor boyfriend. The Smile Entity puts her through the ringer, really messing with her head.

Skye finds herself searching and searching for answers to get rid of the Smile Entity, but ultimately, there’s no cure for such an Entity. Smile 2 isn’t afraid to dive deeper into the gory side of things, making one want to curl into a ball and hug a pillow. If you’re familiar with the first movie, you’ll know that the plot-driven arc isn’t afraid to put fear into someone. Smile 2 wasn’t afraid to drive home the insanity of the Smile Entity or just how bad it can mess with a person’s psyche. If Smile 2 doesn’t have you quaking in your boots, then I don’t know what horror/thriller movie will.

A Potential Smile 3?

Smile 2 has the potential to create something even more outrageous for a third movie. No spoilers, but by the end of Smile 2, you’ll be left wondering where this Entity could go. Given how the sequel ended, they definitely have to make a third movie to address just how far the sinister Entity will reach. No one’s ever heard of a benevolent Entity, have they? Smile 2 proved to be just the beginning of another great story in a possible franchise, considering the approach they took. The performances and writing were what really drew the viewer into both films.

So a third Smile movie would have to do the sequel and first film justice. A potential Smile 3 shouldn’t over-exaggerate to the point that no one can relate to the main character to root for their survival. There were times in the sequel, I’m sure, that I wanted to see the main character just bite the bullet for how annoying she was. She was still a relatable character until the very end in some way, shape, or form. Here’s to hoping that a third film up Smile 3, without overdoing it; Smile 2 is already gory enough.

Final Thoughts

I can honestly say I’ve seen both films because I’m a fan of a particular actor in both movies. Smile and Smile 2 are not films for the faint of heart. Having grown up loving horror and thriller films, one would think an amazingly gory film like Smile and Smile 2 wouldn’t scare me, but they somehow wound up doing just that. I have nightmares just thinking about that ominous, twisted, Joker-like smile, thanks to Smile and Smile 2 during the day. Personally, I’d be up to see what’s done with a potential Smile 3, but that’s just me.

Anyone who’s a fan of horror might just be open to these twisted films with a bit of suspense and fright. One hundred percent recommendable.