Smile 2, where a simple smile turns into something sinister, deepening the mystery of the sequel, while twisting psychological horror with unsettling twists.
Smile 1 follows psychiatrist Rose Cotter who had witnessed a traumatic event of a suicide by one of her patients, who was claiming to be haunted by a demonic smile. Following this event, Rose starts to experience similar events, encountering the unsettling smile her patient had previously described.
Rose finds out that there is a pattern to these events and discovers that it is a curse linked by trauma. At the end of the movie, she is forced to relive her childhood trauma that the demon was using as power over her in order to confront the smile.
Smile 2 is worth the watch if you are brave enough. It had me covering my face with anticipation and fear, it was a range of emotions. Director Parker Finn did a great job incorporating different genres into one. There was some sense of comedy but it was also more creative than Smile 1.
The movie was made very strategically in a way that it connects with the audience. For me, it felt like more than just a scary movie, it was a portrayal of real life problems. There were aspects of anxiety, pressure, addiction, and fear of disappointment especially seen in the main character.
The cinematography of the movie shined again. With the first movie using colder isolating frames, the sequel used bright colors and vivid imagery which gave the two movies a different vibe. The small details are what really set this movie apart from others. They keep the audience deeply invested in the action of the movie.
This is one of the rare cases where the sequel tops the original, but it is clear why. The play on real life issues mixed with the gore and terrifying occurrences in Smile 2 made it an amazing physiological horror. If you like movies that have your brain twisted with fear and confusion from start to finish, then I would strongly recommend Smile 2.
