Smile 2 (2024)

DIRECTED BY

Parker Finn

STARRING

Naomi Scott - Skye Riley

Rosemarie DeWitt - Elizabeth Riley 

Lukas Gage - Lewis Fregoli

Miles Guiterrez-Riley - Joshua 

Ray Nicholson - Paul Hudson 

Dylan Gelula - Gemma 

Kyle Gallner - Joel

Genre - Horror/Supernatural 

Running Time - 127 Minutes 

PLOT

About to embark on a new world tour, global pop sensation Skye Riley begins experiencing increasingly terrifying and inexplicable events. Overwhelmed by the escalating horrors and the pressures of fame, Skye is forced to face her dark past to regain control of her life before it spirals out of control. 

REVIEW

PROS

• 
  Naomi Scott. Sosie Bacon was great in the first SMILE from 2022, carrying that film and playing all the emotional beats of a psychiatrist who was struggling with her own fear of mental illness due to trauma from her childhood. You bought everything Bacon presented, making her a captivating actress and character to watch.

But Naomi Scott absolutely overshadows her in this 2024 sequel. Actresses have really brought it in the horror genre this year, but Scott’s performance has to be near the top of the list. Naomi Scott’s Skye Riley is like an onion that has so many layers to play with, allowing the actress to play so many aspects of a female pop star believably for two hours. She struggles with addiction. She’s traumatized for partly causing a car accident that not only injured her back [to the point she constantly needs pain meds], but also murdered her on-and-off boyfriend. She struggles being heard by her momager who refuses to understand the constant stress a comeback tour is putting on her daughter, feeling that Skye is selfish for wanting to delay the tour and costing her definite money due to the massive demand for the tour. She also has a bad history with her best friend, trying to find ways to make up for whatever wrong she’s done to her. And of course, Skye is also possessed by this smile curse that makes her already tarnished reputation with the media and fans much worse as the days go on - which Scott plays perfectly.

I think the best thing about Scott’s performance is how likable she makes Skye Riley, despite the fact that the character isn’t really all that sympathetic in terms of how she treats herself and the people around her. A lesser actress would have made this character so annoying, SMILE 2 would sink and be one of those sequels that should’ve never happened. But Scott elevates the material and really sinks her teeth into everything, no matter how wild the story gets. She’s charismatic and dynamic to watch from beginning to end. Just a wonderful performance in any genre, honestly.

• The soundtrack. A pop star needs some bangers and bops to make the persona work. And all the songs in SMILE 2 are just that - really great songs that don’t deserve to be this good and go so hard in terms of production and clever lyrics that foreshadow the events of the film. The filmmakers went all out making Skye Riley feel like a real persona for Naomi Scott, who sings her butt off on these songs as if she’s been doing this for years. I went to the fan screening for this film a day before the actual wide release and there was a four-minute countdown leading into the actual film, made up of music videos for these songs with Scott performing them in various stages of her character’s pop career. The time taken to really craft a character and the world she lives in should be commended. You can tell the people involved had respect for the material and use the bigger budget to make it feel like a real deal.

• Parker Finn. For the first SMILE, director/writer Parker Finn already displayed a cool style that made his horror film stand out from others at the time. Stylish editing, upside down shots to disorient the viewer and a nice use of CGI made his 2022 film a big success. But for the sequel, it seems Paramount gave Finn the keys to the car and let him go all out. Crazier editing, better special effects, more stylish angles and shots and awesome performance moments for Skye Riley. You can tell Finn finally gained some confidence from multiple people, and maybe even himself, becoming unafraid with his presentation and knowing exactly where to take his story from beginning to end. While I wouldn’t mind another SMILE installment, I would love to see Finn do something different while maintaining this level of visual creativity. I thought the direction of the sequel was superior to that of the original by a mile.

• Loved the continuation from the first film. Spoilers for the first film, but the survivor of that film, police officer Joel, returns in the opening of SMILE 2 as he’s struggling with being cursed himself and trying to pass it on to drug dealers. However things go wrong and the rest of the movie happens for our own entertainment. Kyle Gallner, having quite the year in horror prior to this, does a great job continuing where he left off in the first film, investing fans right away into the sequel. Considering how we know how this curse ends, you can guess what happens. But it’s great seeing a loose end given a fitting conclusion that leads into the rest of the movie.

• The predictable ending. I saw a lot of viewers complain about the film’s ending, with some feeling it lacked originality and came off silly. But seriously, if you watched the first trailer and understood who the main character is, you should have known there is only one conclusion to this movie. While predictable, it’s the only one that works and feels true to the story. So I liked it and I’m curious where things go in the next one because that seems like a huge task considering what goes down.

CONS

• 
  Getting difficult to decipher what’s real and what’s not. While I appreciated the storytelling and visual presentation of SMILE 2, there were moments where I felt that Parker Finn went too far in terms of letting the audience in on what’s going on. Considering this curse Skye Riley is suffering through, it makes sense that it would disorient her sense of reality and make her look more insane as the film runs along. But during the final act, it got to a point where even I was confused what was going on and how things ended up where they did. I understand a lot of what we see went on in her headspace. But it doesn’t make sense that she seems perfectly fine to others in the real world if she’s struggling with a manic mental state. I don’t think it was explained enough and just felt jarring by the film’s final minutes. I do think it was the right move to do in a narrative sense, but the execution could have been a bit smoother. For everything that Skye goes through in the final act, it makes you question how she functioned in front of others during all that. Probably the only flaw I could find in this sequel.

THE FINAL HOWL

I liked 2022’s SMILE and felt it was a cool concept that never met its full potential. But 2024’s SMILE 2 heard that and met that goal in almost every single way. Naomi Scott understood the assignment and carried the film effortlessly, crafting a fake pop star and making her feel like she’s been part of our lives for years. She hits every emotional and wild beat believably, making us feel for a character that honestly shouldn’t be sympathetic to begin with. That also extends to the incredible pop soundtrack that Scott shines on, providing us with bangers that will be an annual Halloween listen for me. Director/writer Parker Finn also improves upon what he achieved in the first film, giving us crazier and more stylish shots and edits, while using the bigger budget to create Skye’s celebrity universe and showcase better CGI for the smiling demons. And while some may complain about the predictable ending, I called it the moment I watched the first trailer and I have no issue with it. There’s no other way this film could have ended and it leads to an interesting third installment if Paramount decides to make it. I liked this way more than I did the first film and I think fans of SMILE will be smiling a lot while enjoying this sequel. One of the better horror films of 2024, without a doubt.

SCORE

3.5 Howls Outta 4

(9 out of 10)

Terrifier 3 (2024)

DIRECTED BY

Damien Leone

STARRING

David Howard Thornton - Art the Clown

Lauren LaVera - Sienna Shaw 

Elliott Fullam - Jonathan Shaw 

Samatha Scaffidi - Vicky Heyes 

Margaret Anne Florence - Jess Shaw

Bryce Johnson - Greg Shaw 

Genre - Horror/Slasher/Holiday 

Running Time - 125 Minutes

PLOT

Five years after surviving Art the Clown’s Halloween massacre, Sienna and Jonathan are still struggling to rebuild their shattered lives. As the holiday season approaches, they try to embrace the Christmas spirit and leave the horrors of the past behind. But just when they think they’re safe, Art returns, determined to turn their holiday cheer into a new nightmare. The festive season quickly unravels as Art unleashes his twisted brand of terror, proving that no holiday is safe.

REVIEW

PROS

• 
  A more focused story. While 2016’s TERRIFIER lacked a narrative and 2022’s TERRIFIER 2 may have used too much of one, 2024’s TERRIFER 3 manages to balance it out to craft a more straightforward plot that fits the 80s slasher theme better. I’ll get to the Christmas aspect in a bit [it definitely works here], but I appreciated that this sequel focused on the trauma that both Sienna and her brother Jonathan suffered in TERRIFIER 2 [which takes place five years prior to this film]. The slings try to move on with their lives separately, as Sienna has spent time at some sort of institution while Jonathan struggles to acclimate in a college environment. But both still suffer from PTSD and only have each other to vent about it, as everyone else around them either can never understand the torture they went through, or want to capitalize on their trauma for their own fame and fortune. Add in the return of Art the Clown and Vicky, who everyone other than the Shaw siblings treat as freaks or something amusing, and you have a haunting neither sibling can easily escape from. The use of trauma is nothing new in modern slasher films [Laurie Strode and Sidney Prescott anyone?] but considering how many view the TERRIFIER franchise, it’s a nice aspect to have that allows a level of grounding to a surreal series.

• A stronger confidence in direction and acting. Damien Leone really ups his filmmaking cred with TERRIFIER 3, being both subtle and over-the-top at the same time - and doing it very well. I’ll get to the death sequences in a bit, but I will say that they weren’t as extreme as they were in the second film, while still maintaining a level of uncomfortability that would make vomiting and/or people walking out the theater understandable. I also felt that Leone didn’t pad the running time with random stuff or gags, embracing the idea of giving certain information that could appear meaningless when they’re introduced but become quite important in later parts of the film. The running time, which is still quite long, flowed a bit better for me here.

As for the acting, it’s the best of the franchise so far. David Howard Thornton can play Art the Clown in his sleep at this point, balancing the silliness of the character with a level of menace that’s a bit unsettling. Samatha Scaffidi as the returning Vicky gets the most to do since the first film, creating a villain of her own that’s super memorable. Elliott Fullam does the best he can with what he’s given, while newcomer Margaret Anne Florence is a great addition to the cast as young cousin Jess. But Lauren LaVera really comes into her own as Sienna, finally becoming a true Final Girl with a strong performance from beginning to end. You hits every emotional beat needed as a traumatized survivor, while being a true badass when she has to defend herself against Art and Vicky. It’s easy to see why she’s in high demand in the genre right now, as LaVera carries the film extremely well.

• The gore. While I don’t think anything in this film beats that bedroom sequence in TERRIFIER 2, Leone sure comes close in TERRIFIER 3. The opening scene isn’t for the weak of heart, quickly letting the audience know what type of movie this is. It’s violent, bloody and even children aren’t safe. The final confrontation is also messed up visually, with mutilated body parts and even fantastical sequences that will combat your sense of disbelief. But the one memorable death sequence involves a college dorm bathroom and a chainsaw to male genitals… yeah, I felt every second of that indirectly. Fans looking for blood and guts will not be disappointed here.

• The Christmas aesthetic. I think the most exciting aspect of the film for me is that it takes place during the holidays. While Christmas horror is nothing new, it’s refreshing to see one take place within an already-established franchise that never focused on the holiday itself. The first two TERRIFIER films took place around Halloween time, so switching it to a holiday that many consider sacred is a move that works in this sequel’s favor. We get Art dressed like Santa for much of the film, as he goes to malls to disturb people, while also invading homes to deliver “presents”. There’s snow on the ground. There are Christmas lights and decorations all over the place. There’s even a scene where Art “bonds” with a fake Santa Claus in a bar. More established franchises should have taken this step and changed up the atmosphere because TERRIFIER 3 has a nice reason to memorably exist because of it.

CONS

• 
  That unseen death. I’m not going to spoil anything about the film, but this part of the film still bugs me. You can’t establish a character, make them feel important and then just eliminate them from the story offscreen without some sort of explanation visually. I hope this is the case where if you don’t see someone die on screen, that means they’re still alive to be used in a future installment. But if not, Damien Leone is a ballsy guy because this may alienate some fans of the franchise if this is not followed up upon in the fourth movie.

• Not as fun as the second film. While TERRIFIER 3 is a good time if you know what you’re getting into, I actually prefer the vibe of the second film more. The synthwave, 80s atmosphere is one that will catch and keep my attention right away and TERRIFIER 3 doesn’t really have that. Also, a lot of the characters in this film don’t really stand out like they did in the second film [Sienna’s friends, in particular]. I think it’s a case where we’ve been through this kind of film three times already, so it feels less fresh with each installment. TERRIFIER 3 is total popcorn entertainment that improves upon a lot of things from previous films. But I felt TERRIFIER 2 was a bit more carefree and exciting due to what it presented. Both films are still better than the overrated first film though.

• Art the Clown kind of being overshadowed in his own franchise. Am I the only one who felt Vicky was a more interesting antagonist than Art was in this film? Her character arc since the first film still fascinates me to the point where I want to see more of her and whatever she plans on doing on Art’s behalf. During the final act in particular, she was such a force and presence that I forgot that Art was even in the scene with her. While I like the idea of these two characters working together to create chaos, I think Art should definitely be the star and not play second-fiddle to another villain. It felt like that for a few minutes and I found it both interesting and worrying.

THE FINAL HOWL

While I found the second film to be a more fun experience overall, I do think TERRIFIER 3 does improve upon that film in a lot of ways. I like that the fantastical narrative of the second film is a bit more streamlined and grounded in this movie [besides certain things in the final act]. The use of PTSD and trauma is used very well here and it will only fuel the fire going forward. Damien Leone’s direction is more confident and focused when it comes to pacing, the death sequences [that chainsaw scene, yo] and the great use of the Christmas aesthetic. The acting is also an improvement, especially by Lauren LaVera, who gives her all as a young woman who continues to struggle with the torture Art the Clown has put her and her family through. David Howard Thornton is still wonderful as the villain, now able to play the role in his sleep at this point. 

That being said, I feel that returning character Vicky kind of overshadows Art a bit during the final act, which is fine if you’re not trying to establish one of them as the next big horror baddie. I think Art will be fine, though. I also prefer the 80s, synthwave vibe of the second film despite its longer running time. And if that unseen death for an established character is legit, I’m not a fan of that move at all.

Other than that, TERRIFIER 3 isn’t for everyone. But if you enjoy tons of gore, a fun Christmas horror aesthetic and improved acting and production, I would stick with this franchise and get excited for what the filmmakers are cooking up next. Otherwise, be prepared to be on Art’s naughty list and I don’t think your private regions will want that.

SCORE

3 Howls Outta 4

(8 out of 10)