Do you still recall the weird smile that never left your dreams when you watched “Smile“? However, this mischievous grin is about to be relentlessly repeated again as the sequel emerges here, bringing its dark charms to the new pool of the target.
From Indie breakthrough to blockbuster hit
Parker Finn, the director of the film, is having a lot of financial luck because whatever he touches becomes a box office success. The height of his career began when SXSW 2020 saw his short horror movie “Laura Hasn’t Slept” take the festival by storm. He then made a sweet deal with Paramount Pictures to turn it into the feature-length movie “Smile”, the psychological horror film starring Sosie Bacon who played a therapist who was haunted by smiling demons. The flick made $217 million and showed the audience that they love a good scare (and maybe a little bit of grin).
The Familiar Face of Horror Returns
Image credit- https://www.sonypictures.com/
Following the success of the pilot, a sequel was an obvious choice. Fortunately, Finn is now in the driver’s seat delivering the script as well as conducting the orchestra. With Kyle Gallner (who seemed to become the evil grin’s pal at the end of the first film) back in the cast, we can speculate that maybe getting away from this sinister smile would not be that easy.
New Cast Brings Star Power to Smile 2
If Gallner is the link to the first movie, the cast of actors in Smile 2 display the same talent and are ready to be fearful just like all of us (and the creepy smiles, too). Other cast members joining the cast are Naomi Scott, who is popularly known for her recent role in the reboot of “Charlie’s Angels.” We will see Lukas Gage (of “Road House” remake), Rosemarie DeWitt, Dylan Gelula, and Raúl Castillo.
Smile! You’re on Camera: A Pop Star’s Nightmare
The teaser trailer presented at CinemaCon 2024 gave us a glimpse of the terrifying environment in which Smile 2 takes place. This time, the bully turns its apathy on someone a little unusual – a pop star played by Naomi Scott. The image depicts the juxtaposition of the superficial world of pop music and demonic smile, which creates an intense and eerie sensation. Imagine the stress of having to smile all the time for the cameras, knowing that the same smile is then manipulated to terrorize you by the malicious force. What a way to put performance under pressure!
Trading Chills for Glitz: A Smile Makeover?
Although the people who consider the first movie as a textbook of creeping chills might be astonished to find out the change of the aesthetic in Smile 2. According to the trailer, the sequel seems to be going for a more stylized and cinematic approach. It could refer to the pop star’s world or it could mean that we’ll see a bigger budget this time round.
The one thing stays the same, and they are still looking for you.
Conclusion
The teaser does so through the way it draws a comparison between two worlds – one is that of a celebrity with fans, hangers-on, and publicists (all with big and phony smiles), the other is the demon who is the real danger behind. In the end, it raises an issue: how can you notice a killer smile when everywhere around you, everyone seems to be sporting a grin from ear to ear?
The scene itself creates a lot of uncertainty regarding what happened that evening. Why does the demon choose the pop star as a victim? Is it a possibility that it is endeavoring to bring its dark influence through widespread media? One thing’s certain – coming to the theaters on October 18, 2024 is Smile 2. For a moment, the next time when you see a celebrity flaunting their million-dollar smile, don’t just give them a second thought, it might be the devil in disguise.
FAQs
Q1: What is “Smile 2” about?
“Smile 2” is the horror follow-up to 2023’s cult hit “Smile”. Scott’s movie tells the story of a teenage pop star who gets possessed by the same demon from the first movie. CinemaCon’s footage revealed the demon disturbing the pop star’s glamorous realm. This set off a feeling that it might try to spread its authority through the singing star’s platform.
Q2: Who is directing “Smile 2”?
Parker Finn. You should know that “Laura Hasn’t Slept”, a short film by Finn, was the subject of the first “Smile” movie.
Q3: When will “Smile 2” be released?
“Smile 2” scheduled to be in theaters on October 18, 2024, which is part of the film series’ tradition of being released during Halloween.
Q4: What is the cast of “Smile 2”?
Furthermore, in addition to playing the lead role, Naomi Scott will rejoin Kyle Gallner, the only survivor of events from the first movie. The ensemble cast includes Lukas Gage, Rosemarie DeWitt, Dylan Gelula, and Raúl Castillo.
Q5: How does the sequel compare to the first “Smile” film?
According to the CinemaCon footage briefing, “Smile 2” will have a look that is brighter, more fashionable and classier than the first movie. This implies the transition in setting from the real world to a pop culture universe. But the original supernatural horror theme is still there, as the evil now goes after a higher-rating victim.
Q6: How successful was the first “Smile” film?
“Smile”, a 2023 blockbuster, grossed over $217 million worldwide with a $17 million budget. This unexpected success led Paramount to immediately greenlight a sequel that would once again bring on the director, Parker Finn.
Amit Gupta is a 2015 graduate of RTU in Rajasthan, India. After working over a decade as an additional writer at News article, he decided to start his own news publication. He mainly focuses on entertainment, Movies, Web series articles and editorials. He likes to listen to music and play cricket in his free time. Follow On Facebook.
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