Smile 2 centers on pop singer Skye Riley (Naomi Scott) who, following a disturbing incident, experiences increasingly frightening and inexplicable events. As she prepares for a new world tour after a sabbatical resulting from a violent car accident, Skye must confront her past and fight to regain control of her life before it spirals completely out of control.
In my film reviews, I typically try to familiarize myself with a film series before watching a sequel. I followed this approach with Pitch Perfect 3, which proved beneficial as it highlighted the changes the filmmakers had made to the established formula. However, with Smile 2, I viewed it without having seen the original, thus my introduction to this world was directly through the sequel.
For those familiar with the first film, the opening scene of Smile 2 directly continues the narrative from that film. The stylish and brutal introduction effectively establishes the tone for the rest of the movie. Subsequently, the film shifts its focus to entirely new characters, unconnected to the initial storyline. This was advantageous for me, as a first-time viewer, as it minimized the need for prior knowledge.
A notable strength of Smile 2 lies in its effectively disturbing and brutal scenes. Naomi Scott delivers a commendable performance in the lead role, navigating the challenges of the part with considerable skill. Several moments elicited genuine surprise. The practical effects are exceptionally well-executed, particularly a scene involving a character and a barbell weight, which stands out as remarkably disturbing. The film also benefits from its pacing, allowing the audience to gradually learn more about Skye Riley and revealing her multifaceted personality. The film also amplifies the inherent creepiness of smiling, taking it to a new level of unease.
A significant drawback of Smile 2 is its excessive length. The film would have benefited from a reduction of approximately thirty minutes. The repetitive use of a formulaic approach – extended build-up, a frightening event, followed by a return to normalcy – becomes somewhat tiresome. Additionally, the horror film cliché of characters failing to utilize adequate lighting in potentially dangerous situations was particularly noticeable. Furthermore, despite the film’s length, the conclusion feels rushed and somewhat incomplete.
Smile 2 is available on Ultra HD, and this is the optimal format for experiencing the film. The visual presentation is flawless, with deep blacks and vibrant colors. The prevalence of dark scenes in the film is effectively rendered through Dolby Vision HDR.
The Dolby Atmos sound design is consistently well-executed. The subtly unsettling soundtrack during the apartment scene, featuring a multitude of eerily smiling individuals, is particularly effective in creating a palpable sense of unease. A scene set in a cold storage room also exemplifies skillful sound mixing.
The disc also includes a wealth of supplementary material, including insightful documentaries and a commentary track by the director.
In conclusion, I recommend experiencing Smile 2 on UHD, as this edition significantly enhances the already intense viewing experience. While the film’s pacing could be improved, the shocking conclusion ultimately makes it a worthwhile watch.
SF Studios provided review copies for this evaluation. The provision of materials does not influence our editorial independence. Our reviews are conducted with a focus on providing objective information to our readers and consumers.
