Smile 2: A Hilarious Yet Terrifying Horror Experience

Editor’s Note: Spoilers for Smile 2 ahead.

Highlights

Smile 2 masterfully intertwines humor with horror, ensuring that viewers remain both anxious and entertained.
Characters such as Gemma and Joshua provide intentional comic relief, injecting laughter amidst chaos.
While some moments may unintentionally come off as humorous, Smile 2 effectively builds suspense that defines a compelling horror film.

The primary aim of Smile 2 is to deliver genuine scares that resonate with its audience. An interesting aspect of horror filmmaking is that constant tension isn’t always ideal; it’s crucial to include segments where viewers can breathe momentarily. This technique, employed adeptly by director Parker Finn, allows for the unexpected to occur right when the audience is beginning to unwind, enhancing the effectiveness of jump scares. In this way, merging laughter with suspense creates a thrilling cinematic experience.

Emerging as a promising contender in the horror genre, Smile 2 embodies all the quintessential elements that make a film in this category captivating. There are suspenseful scenes that compel viewers to cover their eyes due to grotesque or frightening visuals. The audience, securely seated, will undoubtedly flinch—not solely due to sudden loud noises, but because the film’s tension is masterfully crafted. Smile 2 is attracting large audiences, which can be attributed, in part, to its strong critical reception. One significant factor behind these accolades is the director’s skill in achieving a balance between horror and comedic elements.

Skye Riley and Her Loyal Friend in Smile 2

Smile 2’s clever incorporation of humor stems from its character portrayals, crafted with a touch of stereotype. This is intentional, enhancing the story as these characters are predominantly viewed through Skye’s perspective, particularly with Gemma’s character introduction.

Warning: Spoilers for Smile 2 follow.

Upon Gemma’s arrival in the narrative, viewers learn about her close friendship with Skye prior to a tragic spiral into substance abuse and a subsequent accident. At the start, Skye’s mother mentions contacting Gemma in hopes of providing her daughter with a supportive friend. Eventually, their path reunites, and Gemma re-enters Skye’s life.

Smile 2
Featuring	Naomi Scott, Rosemarie DeWitt, Lukas Gage, Miles Gutierrez-Riley, Peter Jacobson, Raúl Castillo, Dylan Gelula, Ray Nicholson, Kyle Gallner
Parker Finn
Directed By	Parker Finn

This sets the stage for one of the film’s standout exchanges. During a tumultuous moment for Skye, who escapes from a treatment facility after a catastrophic breakdown, she finds herself in a bloodied and chaotic situation after a dreadful act against her mother. The shocking nature of this moment lays the groundwork for humor to emerge in an unexpected manner.

As Skye attempts to flee in a stolen vehicle, Gemma jumps into the driver’s seat, insisting on staying by her side. Skye insists she should keep a distance from the ensuing chaos; Gemma’s playful retort, “I’m your ride or die b****,”is delivered perfectly. It’s not merely the line but the context—a friend of a celebrity engaged in absurdity—that creates humor in the escalating madness of Smile 2.

Throughout the film, additional comic instances arise from Joshua, Skye’s assistant, who embodies the role of an overly accommodating friend willing to go to any lengths for her. Amidst tension, an amusing exchange regarding Skye’s drink needs occurs as he is kept at bay from discovering her horrific situation.

The Accidental Humor of Smile 2

There are also instances in Smile 2 where it is ambiguous whether the humor is intentional or has taken on a life of its own due to sheer absurdity. For example, a woman grabs Skye during a nervous breakdown while delivering a speech, leading to her being flung onto a table. Additionally, an unsettling scene features a young girl with an unnerving smile, meant to evoke dread.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FU_bAopCcSE

SMILE 2 | Final Trailer (2024) – Naomi Scott, Lukas Gage (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FU_bAopCcSE)

A particular moment stands out: inside Skye’s apartment, a series of smiling individuals move down the hallway in a manner that appears almost choreographed. While this was likely intended to generate fear, it instead results in an awkwardly comical display that elicits laughter from the audience, proving to be unintentionally humorous.

Smile 2 is that, despite certain scenes not resonating as intended, they still succeed in eliciting tension. Viewers can relax, only to have the thrill return with renewed intensity. Whether or not some scenes were designed to be humorous, they contribute to a horror film that has embraced the finest qualities of the genre.
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