Editor’s Note: This article includes spoilers for the conclusion of Smile 2.
Main Insights
- Skye Riley’s evolution into a vessel for the smile demon has drawn broader attention than intended.
- The creature’s dominance over Skye takes an unexpected direction, catching the audience off guard with its unpredictability.
- Despite its anticipated conclusion, Smile 2 remains an engaging horror experience.
For those who witnessed the first film as the Smile 2 trailers debuted, predicting the film’s ending was relatively straightforward. At least, it was easy to envision the smile demon’s intentions towards the film’s new protagonist. Generally, if viewers can foresee a movie’s resolution just from its initial trailer, it signals a flaw in the storytelling. Nonetheless, what differentiates Smile 2 is its emphasis on the journey itself. In this aspect, director Parker Finn has crafted an intriguing narrative that compels fans to follow how events unfold.
Many iconic horror films master this approach, and Smile 2 follows the tradition, unbothered by audience speculations regarding its finale. This chilling narrative is focused on showcasing the clash between the “hero”and the “villain.”Additionally, while viewers might anticipate the film’s trajectory, it raises questions about whether their predictions will actually materialize.
The Predictability of Smile 2’s Conclusion
Viewers familiar with the first installment of Smile understand how the smile demon operates. Its primary goal is to proliferate and claim more victims. Although it can ensnare one person at a time, savoring the lengthy process of fully dominating them before moving on to its next target, it would inevitably prefer a more efficient approach. Skye Riley inadvertently wanders into its trap, offering an ideal opportunity for the demon—a troubled celebrity who is seeking relief from her turmoil, which is precisely what allows her to encounter the creature.
Spoilers for Smile 2 follow.
The initial promotional material for Smile 2 reveals that Skye is a prominent singer. This fact alone enables viewers to surmise that the smile demon aims to use Skye as a vehicle to amplify its influence to countless others. It’s not far-fetched to assume that the film may culminate in Skye’s tragic suicide in front of a massive audience, potentially airing live and reaching thousands, if not millions, of viewers. Although the audience may not be entirely sure if the monster can operate in such a manner, they likely enter the theater with the expectation that this could be the film’s explosive finale.
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Smile 2 |
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Starring |
Naomi Scott, Rosemarie DeWitt, Lukas Gage, Miles Gutierrez-Riley, Peter Jacobson, Raúl Castillo, Dylan Gelula, Ray Nicholson, and Kyle Gallner |
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Parker Finn |
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Directed By |
Parker Finn |
Smile 2’s Significant Misdirection Works Remarkably Well
The finale of Smile 2 doesn’t significantly diverge from the original’s conclusion. The lead character convinces herself that she has discovered a way to vanquish the demon once and for all, believing that even with her potential demise, her actions are noble. Then, just when she thinks she has prevailed, the ground shifts beneath her, revealing that defeating the monster was never a viable option. While it mirrors the earlier film’s ending, the methods leading up to it offer a fresh enough perspective to retain interest.
A notable turn occurs when the expectation that it takes seven days for the monster to seize total control is challenged in Smile 2. This alteration might spark inquiries regarding whether the film has contradicted its established lore, yet since the demon manipulates minds, the supposed timeframe for its control could simply be part of its deceptive tactics.
When the climax of Smile 2 arrives, and Skye confronts the smile demon, viewers discover that much of what the pop star believed to be reality was part of a calculated deception orchestrated by the demon. Her rekindled relationships, her visions within her home, and numerous other occurrences turned out to be illusions. The unconventional ally she sought during her quest for truth also proves to be a fabrication. Everything the audience presumed about the film’s direction is overturned.
As the story unfolds, it becomes apparent that the demon had taken over much earlier than anyone realized. Although narratives that turn out to be mere dreams can be irritating, Smile 2 manages to subvert expectations enough for the journey to feel worthwhile. The experience intensifies towards the conclusion, highlighting how effectively Finn skillfully orchestrates the narrative to undercut the anticipation that Skye might succeed.
The ending may have been foreseeable, yet the talented director manages to create a film that provides an entertaining experience, even if the final revelation was hinted at in early promotions.
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