49/50
The scar on Skye’s knee is shaped like a smile
Line of Events
As she embarks on a world tour, global pop sensation Skye Riley begins to experience increasingly terrifying and unexplainable events. Overwhelmed by the mounting horrors and pressures of fame, Skye is forced to confront her past. In one scene, Skye places a bottle of VOSS water on a stone/marble kitchen counter and a noise is heard that matches the sound of something plastic being placed on the floor. VOSS water bottles are made of glass, something that is specifically highlighted in the film, and so the audio does not match the action seen. Skye Riley: [to the smiling entity] You’re not in control, I’m in control!.
Featured in The 7PM Project: Episode dated October 17, 2024 (2024)
Parker Finn’s debut feature film, Smile, was a tense horror film that explored the devastating effects of trauma. Featuring striking visuals and production, as well as an atmospheric soundtrack, the film was both thrilling and terrifying, following a psychiatrist who becomes convinced that an unseen entity is stalking her after witnessing a violent incident. With a strong central performance from Sosie Bacon, Smile performed well at the box office, grossing $217.4 million on a $17 million budget. Although critical reception was mixed, just a few months after its release, Finn was considering a sequel, noting that “there’s still a lot of interesting things to explore in the world of Smile…” Fast forward two years, and Smile 2 is upon us. This time, the action follows pop singer Skye Riley, who begins to experience increasingly disturbing events on the eve of a world tour.
Smile 2 is that rare beast: a sequel that’s arguably better than its predecessor
Forced to confront her dark past, can Skye regain control of her life before it spirals out of control? As in the first, the theme of trauma is skillfully woven into the narrative, alongside which the themes of control, psychosis, grief and addiction become the axes on which the horror revolves. Riley must fight against her inner demons and against the “smiling creature”, who never knows what is reality or fantasy. This creates a thrilling and unpredictable adventure, as Finn, making excellent use of visual and auditory jolts, takes you to the smiling heart of the horror. The threat lurks in the corner of every frame, waiting to give you a brutal shock.
Likewise, he captures Riley’s performances with aplomb, lending them authenticity
From the brilliantly frenetic opening to the thunderous ending, the film runs at full steam, without stopping. Finn’s characterization is astute and his story surprisingly funny; it’s a horror film with a dark comedy at its core: in contrast to the overwhelming darkness of its predecessor, Smile 2 has a little more to offer viewers. The film reunites Finn with most of the team from the original, including cinematographer Charlie Sonoff. His work on the first film created an unsettling atmosphere of unpredictable instability; as is the case once again. Sarnoff’s use of lighting effectively creates contrast and mood, while the framing of the images heightens the suspense of the story.
Night Shyamalan’s recent Trap )
While the camera can be turned upside down to create an eerie effect at times, overall Sarnoff’s stellar work heightens the impact of the events; and is both captivating and haunting. Additionally, Cristobal Tapia de Veer’s music creates an unsettling ambiance, imbuing the film with a raw, horrific power. While the songs written for Riley’s character are fairly generic, they are well-executed (and considerably better than similar songs written for Lady Raven’s character in M. Lester Cohen’s detailed production design adds an element of realism, grounding the film despite the fantastical horror of its narrative.