Smile 2 serves as both a direct sequel and an indirect continuation of the original film. The introduction cleverly connects to Joel from the first feature while the central narrative focuses on a returning pop star. Skye has grappled with substance addiction which set off unsettling events in her life.
As she embarks on a new tour to prove she can still captivate audiences, she faces numerous obstacles. Are these challenges a product of her own insecurities, or is there a more sinister curse at play? Regardless, the film leads the audience through a series of outrageously horrific deaths that are reminiscent of Alien: Romulus.
WARNING! Spoilers ahead!
6 The Mobsters
Pumpkin Spice And Knife Splice
The film begins with Joel from the original movie waiting in his car to ambush a man using Pumpkin Spice Frappuccinos as bait. He ushers the man into a house, presumably to confront the head of a crime organization. Following a brutal knife fight, a chaotic gun battle erupts involving numerous mobsters.
This was not how Joel envisioned his plan to end the curse, as he is now left hiding from additional mobsters that arrive after his initial attack. This opening sequence indicates that Smile 2 is much bloodier than its predecessor or any other related media, holding nothing back.
5 Joel
Got Pancaked By A Truck
Though Joel did not meet his end as he had hoped within the mob hideout, his fate was sealed shortly thereafter. During his escape, he unexpectedly finds himself in the path of a speeding truck, resulting in his immediate demise. Unlike many horror films that opt to suggest rather than show such violence, Smile 2 is unflinchingly graphic.
The movie’s depiction of the truck’s impact leaves nothing to the imagination; there’s a visceral display of blood and debris, ultimately spotlighting Joel’s disfigured body. It’s safe to say that his funeral in the film would be a private affair.
4 Lewis
That’s Not How You Use Weights
Early on, viewers learn that Skye, the main character, survived a serious car accident that tragically claimed her boyfriend Paul’s life, leaving her with severe scars and chronic pain. Standard pain medication fails to provide relief, pushing her to seek help from dealers due to her troubled history.
Upon running out of her stronger medication, Skye contacts her former supplier, Lewis. Upon visiting him, Lewis exhibits extreme distress, leading to a harrowing encounter as he envisions a horrifying entity. The scene culminates in Lewis committing suicide with a free weight, and the film doesn’t shy away from showing this tragedy in full.
3 Morris’ Brother
He Must Have Played A Lot Of Half-Life
A particularly swift kill later in the film receives minimal focus. Throughout her turmoil, Skye receives ominous messages from an unknown source. As viewers learn that this malignant parasite causes hallucinations, it may seem the texts are figments of Skye’s imagination.
Ultimately, they lead her to a man named Morris, a nurse intent on helping her break free from the curse that claimed his brother. His story is punctuated by a shocking flashback where his brother gruesomely removes his own jaw with a crowbar—an act that would suggest a strong affinity for video games like Half-Life.
2 Elizabeth
Using Mirror Shards Destructively
In Smile 2, Skye’s mother, Elizabeth, seems fixated solely on her daughter’s tour, disregarding Skye’s erratic behavior. This tension reaches a peak after Skye regains consciousness post-accident.
When she tells her mother that she can no longer participate in the tour, an argument ensues, leading Elizabeth to transform into one of the afflicted individuals. In a shocking twist, she shatters a nearby mirror and begins to disfigure herself, even going so far as to remove an eye with a shard, which is disturbing to witness, especially as Skye seemingly bears some responsibility for her demise.
1 Skye
Did She Become An Elden Ring Boss?
The film concludes on a note laden with ambiguity. It leaves audiences questioning what reality remains after Lewis’ death. The final sequence depicts Skye performing on stage, with her mother and other supporters cheering her on—yet one wonders if this is merely a façade.
Endings like this can be both frustrating and exhilarating for horror fans, prompting engaging conversations post-viewing. Whether real or imagined, Skye endures harrowing experiences on stage as she confronts a nightmarish entity and inflicts harm upon herself with a microphone, leaving her audience less than impressed with their concert choice.
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