Smile 2 is a sequel that stands out by taking a fresh approach while building on the eerie mythology of the original. In contrast to a therapist's close-knit family conflicts in the first film, this time the narrative shifts to the public eye. We follow Skye Riley, a pop sensation reminiscent of Demi Lovato or Lady Gaga, who is on the brink of a comeback after a troubled past. Just as her career is set to skyrocket again, the sinister curse from the first movie sabotages her at every turn.

This change of setting—from a private therapist’s office to the world of a mega-popstar—injects new energy into the franchise. Skye's fame and fanbase amplify the stakes as she grapples with bizarre, disturbing events. The movie feels different enough from the first, but the undercurrent of dread and the familiar cursed entity remain just as terrifying. If you've seen the original Smile, the lore explored in the first film deepens the experience, as we the audience know the curse better than Skye does. However, for newcomers, the film does enough to stand on its own.

One thing that stood out to me was the clever use of jump scares. Typically, I'm not a fan of overdone jump scares, but in Smile 2, every single one felt deserved. The film effectively uses these moments to reflect the mental health struggles of its protagonist—startling, unexpected, and unsettling, just like the intrusive thoughts that plague Skye. There’s no reliance on false jump scares, which makes the real ones hit even harder.

From a technical perspective, the cinematography deserves major praise. There are three particular shots that stuck with me. First, the introduction sequence where a character is running and gets hit by a vehicle, followed by a seamless pan to the title card—it's a stunning visual that immediately sets the tone. Another shot that impressed me involves an elevator door opening directly to reveal a taxi cab that Skye is about to take. And lastly, there’s a wide shot outside an apartment that smoothly zooms into Skye's concerned face. These moments, alongside upside-down shots that play with perspective, demonstrate how much fun the filmmakers had crafting this psychological nightmare.

The use of practical effects also elevates the film. The creepy, unnatural smiles, the bloody scenes, and the visceral kills are all done in a way that feels tangible and disturbing, without leaning too heavily on CGI. There’s only one scene, a stage performance near the end, where the CGI felt a bit noticeable, but it was forgivable because so much of the movie plays with the line between reality and Skye’s mind. It’s hard to tell what’s real and what’s in her head, and that ambiguity is part of the fun.

The score also deserves mention—it heightens the tension with sinister vocals and atmospheric tones that communicate the constant looming threat of the curse. The sound design works hand-in-hand with the visuals to create a chilling experience.

Naomi Scott shines as Skye Riley. She flawlessly embodies a pop star on the edge, making us feel her inner turmoil and fear. While we know her from roles in Power Rangers (2017) and Aladdin (2019), this is hands down her best performance to date. She balances charisma, fear, and vulnerability perfectly, and the physicality she brings to the role—her facial expressions, her screams, and even her falls—adds to the terror. Rosemarie DeWitt also delivers a strong performance as Skye's mother, portraying a parent torn between her love for her daughter and her ambition for her career.

One interesting aspect of the film is its ambiguity—what’s real, and what’s just inside Skye’s mind? For instance, at one point, her mother appears to have died, but in the next scene, she’s cheering Skye on at a concert. It leaves you wondering: is this part of the curse, or is Skye’s mind playing tricks on her? While this might frustrate some viewers, I found it intriguing and worthy of discussion—there’s enough there to have a fun debate with others after watching. Despite the film's occasional ambiguity, the ending feels definitive, providing closure while leaving you with enough to think about.

As a horror film, Smile 2 delivers plenty of scares and keeps you on edge, though it doesn't dive quite as deeply into the curse’s mythology as the first movie. Fans of Joel from the original might be disappointed by how his character is handled here, as the focus shifts quickly to Skye’s story. That being said, Smile 2 is just as thrilling as its predecessor, and while I think Speak No Evil is the strongest horror film of the year so far, Smile 2 offers a different kind of thrill—one that’s rooted in jump scares and psychological tension rather than an evolving narrative.