“Smile 2” is a sequel to the first film released in 2022.

The main plot of the series is that an entity possesses someone after witnessing a suicide, which then causes them to hallucinate and see imaginary images that look real but it’s just the entity inside taking over.

“Smile 2” picks up six days after the ending of the first film where the protagonist Rose Cotter had the curse and then passed it on to Joel. Now Joel starts the movie off trying to pass this to a couple of criminals in an abandoned house.

However, both die in a shootout, leaving Joel unable to transfer the curse. Soon after, he encounters Lewis, who witnesses the shootout and promises to stay silent out of fear.

Eventually, other dealers who were associated with the other two who previously died come and Joel flees. But as he’s fleeing he is run over by a vehicle which now the curse being placed onto Lewis who witnessed the death.

The movie takes place in New York City as Skye Riley, a famous pop singer who is trying to overcome a substance addiction after being in a relationship with her boyfriend Paul Hudson who they both got into a car crash fatally killing Hudson and with Riley injured and scarred.

Trying to get ready for her comeback tour, Riley feels the urge to take pills again. She meets up with Lewis, her old high school friend, at his apartment.

She sees quickly how he’s acting by yelling and screaming.

Later she watches a smiling Lewis pick up a metal weight and the demon in him smashes his face in repeatedly until he falls to his death, thus passing the curse on to Riley.

Now that there’s a breakdown of what the motive and meaning for this movie is. Let’s break down the characters and what they hold into this film.

From here, the film explores Riley’s support network: her ever-present assistant, Joshua, who tends to her needs, and her mother and manager, Elizabeth, who plays a pivotal role later on.

Gemma, who was once her good friend, reconciles with Riley after not talking for over a year due to a huge argument.

After all of the disturbing events that Riley has she meets Morris, who plans to stop this from potentially ending Riley’s life. With that being a crucial part of the film in the end.

During one of her performance practices she meets Darius who is setting up a charity event for unprivileged youth and decides he wants Riley to speak at the event.

He doesn’t play a major role but definitely will see him at some major scenes.

I think director Parker Finn elevated this movie so much compared to the first one, making it a film with more than just smiling figures and jumpscares. He made the movie have a deeper meaning and made certain scenes questioning the viewer in a good way.

Naomi Scott, who plays as Skye Riley, delivered an Oscar-worthy performance as you could feel the tension in your seat and she was so devoted to this film. It really was brilliant all around.

After watching and reviewing this film, I believe it is a must watch if you’re into psychological horror or just horror in general. It makes you think a lot of what’s happening and what’s not really happening.