View source for Smile 2

{{Short description|2024 film by Parker Finn}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Infobox film
| image          = Smile 2 (2024) poster.jpg
| caption        = Theatrical release poster
| director       = [[Parker Finn]]
| writer         = Parker Finn
| producer       = {{Plainlist|
* Marty Bowen
* [[Wyck Godfrey]]
* Isaac Klausner
* Parker Finn
* Robert Salerno
}}
| starring       = {{Plainlist|
* [[Naomi Scott]]
* [[Rosemarie DeWitt]]
* [[Lukas Gage]]
* [[Miles Gutierrez-Riley]]
* [[Peter Jacobson]]
* [[Ray Nicholson]]
* [[Dylan Gelula]]
* [[Raúl Castillo]]
* [[Kyle Gallner]]
}}
| cinematography = Charlie Sarroff
| editing        = Elliot Greenberg
| music          = [[Cristobal Tapia de Veer]]
| studio         = {{Plainlist|
* [[Temple Hill Entertainment]]
* Bad Feeling
}}
| distributor    = [[Paramount Pictures]]
| released       = {{Film date|2024|10|18}}
| runtime        = 127 minutes<ref>{{Cite web|date=September 30, 2024|title=''Smile 2'' (18)|url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/smile-2-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0xmdiymjuy|access-date=September 30, 2024|website=[[British Board of Film Classification|BBFC]]}}</ref>
| country        = United States
| language       = English
| budget         = $28{{nbsp}}million<!-- cited in #Production -->
| gross          = $137.7{{nbsp}}million<ref name="BOM">{{Cite Box Office Mojo|title=Smile 2|id=tt29268110|website=[[Box Office Mojo]]|access-date=December 3, 2024}}</ref><ref name="NUM">{{Cite The Numbers|title=Smile 2 (2024) – Financial Information|id=Smile-2-(2024)|website=[[The Numbers (website)|The Numbers]]|access-date=December 3, 2024}}</ref>
}}
'''''Smile 2''''' is a 2024 American [[psychological horror|psychological]] [[supernatural horror film]] written and directed by [[Parker Finn]]. A sequel to ''[[Smile (2022 film)|Smile]]'' (2022), the film stars [[Naomi Scott]] as a pop star who begins to experience a series of increasingly disturbing events just as she is about to embark on tour. It also features [[Rosemarie DeWitt]], [[Lukas Gage]], [[Miles Gutierrez-Riley]], [[Peter Jacobson]], [[Ray Nicholson]], [[Dylan Gelula]], and [[Raúl Castillo]], with [[Kyle Gallner]] reprising his role from the first film.
In March 2023, following the commercial success of ''Smile'', Finn signed a [[first-look deal]] with [[Paramount Pictures]] to develop additional horror projects. In the following April, a sequel to ''Smile'' had entered [[pre-production]], with Finn returning as writer and director. [[Principal photography]] took place in early 2024 in New York.
''Smile 2'' was released theatrically in the United States on October 18, 2024. Like its predecessor, the film received positive reviews from critics, and grossed over $137{{nbsp}}million worldwide.
== Plot ==
Six days after Rose Cotter's death,{{efn|As depicted in ''[[Smile (2022 film)|Smile]]'' (2022)}} the now-cursed police officer Joel attempts to pass the Smile Entity on by killing one murderous criminal in front of another. During a shootout, he accidentally kills the second. Uninvolved [[drug dealer]] Lewis Fregoli witnesses this and inherits the curse. Now free from the curse, Joel attempts to flee but is run over and killed by a truck.
Meanwhile, pop star Skye Riley prepares for her comeback tour following a public struggle with [[substance abuse]] and a car crash that killed her actor boyfriend, Paul Hudson. Despite constant supervision from her assistant Joshua and her [[stage mother|mother and manager]] Elizabeth, Skye sneaks out to buy [[Vicodin]] from Lewis after injuring her back in rehearsals. At his apartment, Skye witnesses Lewis screaming and panicking before collapsing in an apparent seizure. He rises, smiling, and fatally smashes his face in with a [[Weight plate|barbell plate]]. Afraid of being found in a room full of drugs, Skye flees without alerting anyone.
Skye begins to experience [[hallucination]]s, including people smiling at her, causing her [[mental health]] to deteriorate rapidly. Needing support, she reconciles with her estranged friend Gemma. Skye receives a text from an unknown number, claiming to know she was at Lewis's apartment and that she is in danger. While speaking at a fundraiser hosted by music executive Darius, Skye hallucinates the [[teleprompter]] stalling and goes on an impromptu tirade about how success has not improved her life. She sees a smiling Paul approaching from the audience and panics, accidentally injuring an elderly guest.
Skye meets Morris, the man who texted her, in a bar. He has been tracking the Entity ever since it killed his brother. He explains that the curse passes to anyone who witnesses a victim's death. Theorizing that the Entity is [[Parasitism|parasitic]] and could die without a host, he suggests stopping Skye's heart and then [[Resuscitation|resuscitating]] her to break the curse, but she refuses and leaves after being recognized by bargoers. Following a lengthy mental breakdown in her apartment, Skye is cornered by the Entity, which takes the form of her backup dancers. Skye tries to flee but is violently thrown around the apartment and pinned down as a giant arm forces its way into her throat, causing her to [[Syncope (medicine)|black out]].
A flashback reveals that Skye caused Paul's death by intentionally crashing the car during a drug-induced argument. Later, Skye awakes at a retreat and argues with Elizabeth over the upcoming tour. Suddenly, Elizabeth smiles, smashes a mirror, and fatally stabs herself with a shard. Skye attempts to leave but, to her horror, realizes that it was she who stabbed Elizabeth. Skye escapes the retreat and reunites with Gemma, stealing a car to meet Morris. She receives a call from the real Gemma and realizes that the "Gemma" who has been with her all week is the Entity. After regaining control of the car, Skye meets Morris at an abandoned [[Pizza Hut]], where they plan to use the walk-in freezer to prevent brain damage when stopping her heart. Morris temporarily leaves and the Entity appears as Skye's former self from the car wreck. After a struggle, she fights it off and injects herself with the syringe meant to stop her heart. The Entity, unchanged, mockingly affirms that Skye is not in control.
Skye finds herself on stage for a performance at Herald Square Garden.{{efn|A fictional version of [[Madison Square Garden]]}} She sees Joshua, Darius and a still-alive Elizabeth watching from the audience, and realizes that the entirety of the past few days have been a hallucination. The Entity appears as Skye's current self before tearing its stomach open to reveal its true form: a large, skinless creature with multiple smiling mouths nested within one another. Skye screams and falls into a trance, and the Entity rips Skye's mouth apart and crawls inside; to the crowd, it just appears that Skye collapses while choking. A possessed Skye stands up, smiling, as she fatally stabs herself in the eye with her microphone in front of thousands of horrified spectators.<!-- DO NOT PUT THAT THE ENTITY'S CURSE TRANSFERRED TO THE WHOLE AUDIENCE AS IT HASN'T BEEN CONFIRMED -->
==Cast==
* [[Naomi Scott]] as Skye Riley, a famous pop music recording artist
* [[Rosemarie DeWitt]] as Elizabeth Riley, Skye's mother and manager
* [[Lukas Gage]] as Lewis, a drug dealer and Skye's former classmate
* [[Miles Gutierrez-Riley]] as Joshua, Elizabeth and Skye's assistant
* [[Peter Jacobson]] as Morris, a nurse, who tracked the Smile Entity's actions
* [[Ray Nicholson]] as Paul Hudson, a deceased actor and Skye's former boyfriend
* [[Dylan Gelula]] as Gemma, Skye's estranged best friend
* [[Raúl Castillo]] as Darius, the head of Skye's record company
* [[Kyle Gallner]] as Joel, a police officer, who previously was cursed by the Smile Entity
Additionally, [[Drew Barrymore]] appears as herself, interviewing Skye on [[The Drew Barrymore Show|her talk show]], while director Parker Finn himself cameos as a photographer. The likeness of [[Sosie Bacon]] as Rose Cotter appears via a hallucination to Joel. Trevor Newlin appears as the Smile Entity.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://screenrant.com/smile-2-rose-cameo-death-ending-darker/ | title=Smile 2's Rose Cameo Makes the Original Movie's Ending Even Darker | website=[[Screen Rant]] }}</ref>
==Production==
===Development===
''[[Smile (2022 film)|Smile]]'' writer and director [[Parker Finn]] intentionally left portions of the first film ambiguous, with various plotlines unresolved, to create the opportunity to explore those details in a sequel.<ref name="Smile_THR">{{cite web |last=Davids |first=Brian |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/smile-2-parker-finn-sequel-ideas-1235278874/ |title=How Parker Finn's ''Smile'' Went From Streaming to Theatrical in a Single Night |date=December 9, 2022 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |accessdate=December 9, 2022 |archive-date=December 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209201838/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/smile-2-parker-finn-sequel-ideas-1235278874/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He noted that while additional installments may explore the backstory of the entity, he would like to keep its mysterious nature intact, adding that a follow-up film would be notably different from the first as he believed "there is still a lot of interesting stuff to explore in the world of ''Smile''. ...{{Nbsp}}I'd want to make sure that there's a new, exciting, fresh way into it that the audience isn't anticipating."<ref name="Smile_THR" /><ref name="Sequel_DoG">{{cite web|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/smile-director-ending-leaves-room-for-sequel/|work=[[Den of Geek]]|title=Smile Director: Ending 'Purposefully' Leaves Room for Sequel|first=Don|last=Kaye|date=December 2, 2022|accessdate=February 26, 2023|archive-date=February 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227015250/https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/smile-director-ending-leaves-room-for-sequel/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Sequel_JB">{{cite web|url=https://www.joblo.com/smile-interviews-parker-finn-writer-director/|work=JoBlo|title=Smile Interview: Parker Finn (writer/director)|author=Nichols, Tyler|date=November 27, 2022|accessdate=February 26, 2023|archive-date=February 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227015248/https://www.joblo.com/smile-interviews-parker-finn-writer-director/|url-status=live}}</ref> In March 2023, following the commercial success of ''Smile'', Finn signed a [[first-look deal]] with [[Paramount Pictures]] to develop additional horror projects.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kit |first1=Borys |title=''Smile'' Filmmaker Parker Finn Signs First-Look Deal With Paramount (Exclusive) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/parker-finn-smile-first-look-deal-paramount-1235353345/ |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |access-date=September 22, 2023 |date=March 15, 2023 |archive-date=September 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230922220814/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/parker-finn-smile-first-look-deal-paramount-1235353345/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The following month at 2023 [[CinemaCon]], Paramount announced that a sequel to ''Smile'' had been [[Green-light|green-lit]] and was in pre-production, with Finn returning as writer and director.<ref>{{cite web |last=Peralta |first=Diego |title=''Smile'' Sequel in the Works at Paramount |url=https://collider.com/smile-movie-sequel/ |website=[[Collider (website)|Collider]] |date=April 27, 2023 |access-date=September 22, 2023 |archive-date=September 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230922220739/https://collider.com/smile-movie-sequel/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
In October 2024, Finn described the film as "an exploration of the downfall of this pop star who's unable to overcome the things that have been put upon her." He added, "What I love about the ending of this film is that I wanted to create this meta-feeling moment, where the audience in the arena is staring through the screen at the audience in the movie theater. I wanted to raise the question: Did we do this to Skye? By us coming back for a ''Smile 2'', have we done this to her? It's all intriguing to me, this idea of 'are we complicit in this?'"<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ew.com/smile-2-twist-ending-explained-third-film-potential-8730648|title=Smile 2 ending explained: What that horrifying twist could mean for a potential third film|date=October 19, 2024|website=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|last=Nolfi|first=Joey}}</ref>
===Casting===
In December 2023, [[Naomi Scott]] was cast in a leading role,<ref name="Scott">{{Cite web |last=Kroll |first=Justin |date=2023-12-13 |title=Naomi Scott To Star In Next Installment In Paramount's ''Smile'' Franchise |url=https://deadline.com/2023/12/naomi-scott-smile-sequel-1235666829/ |access-date=2023-12-13 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |archive-date=December 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231213231314/https://deadline.com/2023/12/naomi-scott-smile-sequel-1235666829/ |url-status=live }}</ref> which she stated was inspired by [[Lady Gaga]] in the early [[2010s in music|2010s]] as well as [[Britney Spears]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.etonline.com/media/videos/smile-2-naomi-scott-says-her-pop-star-character-is-similar-to-lady-gaga-exclusive |title=''Smile 2'': Naomi Scott Says Her Pop Star Character Is Similar to Lady Gaga (Exclusive) |date=October 14, 2024 |access-date=October 20, 2024 |website=[[Entertainment Tonight]]}}</ref> In early 2024, [[Lukas Gage]], [[Rosemarie DeWitt]], [[Dylan Gelula]], [[Raúl Castillo]] and [[Miles Gutierrez-Riley]] joined the cast.<ref name="Gage">{{Cite web |last=Grobar |first=Matt |date=2024-01-09 |title=Lukas Gage Boards ''Smile'' Sequel |url=https://deadline.com/2024/01/smile-sequel-casts-lukas-gage-paramount-1235702145/ |access-date=2024-01-09 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |archive-date=January 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240109235432/https://deadline.com/2024/01/smile-sequel-casts-lukas-gage-paramount-1235702145/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Grobar |first=Matt |date=2024-02-12 |title=''Smile'' Sequel Adds Dylan Gelula To Cast |url=https://deadline.com/2024/02/smile-sequel-adds-dylan-gelula-1235823168/ |access-date=2024-02-12 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2024/02/raul-castillo-miles-gutierrez-riley-cast-smile-2-1235825677/|title=Raúl Castillo & Miles Gutierrez-Riley Round Out Casting For ''Smile'' Sequel From Paramount|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Rosy|last=Cordero|date=February 14, 2024|access-date=February 14, 2024|archive-date=February 14, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240214184325/https://deadline.com/2024/02/raul-castillo-miles-gutierrez-riley-cast-smile-2-1235825677/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Kyle Gallner]] reprised his role as Joel from the first film.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Gonzalez |first=Umberto |date=2024-01-11 |title=Rosemarie DeWitt and Kyle Gallner Round Out Untitled ''Smile'' Sequel Cast Exclusive |url=https://www.thewrap.com/rosemarie-dewitt-and-kyle-gallner-round-out-untitled-smile-sequel-cast-exclusive/ |access-date=2024-01-11 |website=[[TheWrap]]|archive-date=January 11, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240111185257/https://www.thewrap.com/rosemarie-dewitt-and-kyle-gallner-round-out-untitled-smile-sequel-cast-exclusive/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In September 2024, it was revealed [[Drew Barrymore]] would appear as herself in the film.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3828791/smile-2-open-wide-and-watch-the-official-trailer-for-paramounts-horror-sequel/|title=''Smile 2'' – Open Wide and Watch the Official Trailer for Paramount's Horror Sequel|website=[[Bloody Disgusting]]|first=John|last=Squires|date=September 3, 2024|access-date=September 3, 2024|archive-date=September 3, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240903143238/https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3828791/smile-2-open-wide-and-watch-the-official-trailer-for-paramounts-horror-sequel/|url-status=live}}</ref> The casting of [[Ray Nicholson]] was an homage to his father [[Jack Nicholson]]'s role in ''[[The Shining (film)|The Shining]]'' (1980).<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/smile-2-jack-nicholson-son-ray-shining-references-8730568|title=''Smile 2'' director cast Jack Nicholson's son in homage to ''The Shining'': 'Looks exactly like Jack'|date=October 20, 2024|first=Joey|last=Nolfi|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|access-date=October 20, 2024}}</ref> [[Principal photography]] took place from January to March 2024 throughout [[Hudson Valley]], New York, with primary locations in [[Newburgh, New York|Newburgh]], [[Poughkeepsie, New York|Poughkeepsie]], [[Wappingers Falls, New York|Wappingers Falls]], [[Albany, New York|Albany]], and New York City.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Boris |date=2024-01-24 |title=Hollywood Film Crew Takes Over Newburgh Brewing Company Taproom |url=https://wpdh.com/smile-2-filming-newburgh-new-york/ |access-date=2024-02-06 |website=[[WPDH]] |archive-date=January 31, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240131041241/https://wpdh.com/smile-2-filming-newburgh-new-york/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hermanns |first=Grant |date=2024-03-09 |title=''Smile 2'' Gets Surprising Filming Update From New Horror Movie Star |url=https://screenrant.com/smile-2-filming-update-lukas-gage/ |access-date=2024-03-12 |website=[[Screen Rant]] |archive-date=March 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240323024414/https://screenrant.com/smile-2-filming-update-lukas-gage/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Returning ''Smile'' crew members included cinematographer Charlie Sarroff, editor Elliot Greenberg, and composer [[Cristobal Tapia de Veer]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/movies/review-bigger-gorier-smile-2-one-of-wildest-horror-rides-of-the-year/|title=Review: Bigger, gorier ''Smile 2'' one of wildest horror rides of the year|date=October 17, 2024|first=Katie|last=Walsh|website=[[The Seattle Times]]|access-date=October 20, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Cristobal Tapia de Veer Scoring Parker Finn's ''Smile 2'' |website=Film Music Reporter |date=September 3, 2024 |url=https://filmmusicreporter.com/2024/09/03/cristobal-tapia-de-veer-scoring-parker-finns-smile-2/ |access-date=16 October 2024 |archive-date=September 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240903232730/https://filmmusicreporter.com/2024/09/03/cristobal-tapia-de-veer-scoring-parker-finns-smile-2/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The film's budget was $28{{nbsp}}million.<ref name="opening" />
==Music==
{{Infobox album
| name         = Smile 2: The Skye Riley EP
| type         = EP
| artist       = [[Naomi Scott|Skye Riley]]
| cover        = TheSkyeRileyEP.jpg
| released     = October 11, 2024
| genre        = [[Pop music|Pop]]
| length       = {{Duration|m=17|s=58}}
| label        = [[Interscope Records|Interscope]]
| producer     = Idarose
| prev_title   = Promises
| prev_year    = 2016
| chronology   = [[Naomi Scott]]
| misc         = {{Singles
| name        = Smile 2: The Skye Riley EP
| type        = ep
| single1     = Blood on White Satin
| single1date = June 18, 2024
| single2     = Grieved You
| single2date = September 13, 2024
| single3     = Death of Me
| single3date = October 11, 2024
}}
}}
'''''Smile 2: The Skye Riley EP''''' is a soundtrack extended play (EP) by English actress and singer [[Naomi Scott]], as her character "Skye Riley". It was released through [[Interscope Records]] on October 11, 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Smile 2: The Skye Riley EP - EP by Skye Riley & Naomi Scott |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/smile-2-the-skye-riley-ep-ep/1770162310 |access-date=October 11, 2024 |via=[[Apple Music]]}}</ref>
=== Background ===
On June 8, 2024, the @SkyeRileyNation Instagram account began teasing a new era of a popstar named Skye Riley.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-06-18 |title=First Teaser Trailer for SMILE 2 Reveals Naomi Scott's Popstar Character Skye Riley |url=https://geektyrant.com/news/first-teaser-trailer-for-smile-2-reveals-naomi-scotts-popstar-character-skye-riley |access-date=2024-09-02 |website=GeekTyrant |language=en-US}}</ref> On June 13, ''[[Bloody Disgusting]]'' spotted promotional billboards promoting the artist and her new music.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Squires |first=John |date=2024-06-13 |title=Viral Marketing Campaign for ''Smile 2'' Already Underway? |url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3816178/viral-marketing-campaign-for-smile-2-already-underway/ |access-date=2024-09-02 |website=Bloody Disgusting! |language=en-US |archive-date=June 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240628231157/https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3816178/viral-marketing-campaign-for-smile-2-already-underway/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On June 18, a song titled "Blood on White Satin" was released through [[Interscope Records]] and was featured in the first trailer of the film.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Zemler |first=Emily |date=2024-06-18 |title=Naomi Scott Is a Pop Star Pursued by Evil in ''Smile 2'' Trailer |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-news/naomi-scott-smile-2-trailer-1235041663/ |access-date=2024-09-02 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US |archive-date=September 2, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240902190033/https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-news/naomi-scott-smile-2-trailer-1235041663/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The film was promoted with an audience member at the [[2024 MTV Video Music Awards]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Drum |first1=Nicole |title=Smile 2 Viral Marketing Kicks Off in The Most Appropriate Place Possible |url=https://comicbook.com/horror/news/smile-2-viral-marketing-kicks-off-mtv-vmas/ |website=ComicBook.com |access-date=16 October 2024 |date=13 September 2024 |archive-date=October 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241001015646/https://comicbook.com/horror/news/smile-2-viral-marketing-kicks-off-mtv-vmas/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The second single, "Grieved You", was released on September 13.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Home |url=https://www.skyerileymusic.com/ |access-date=2024-09-03 |website=Skye Riley |language=en-US |archive-date=August 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240830234039/https://www.skyerileymusic.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
=== Track listing ===
{{Track listing
| extra_column  = Producer(s)
| total_length  = 17:58
| title1        = Grieved You
| length1       = 2:40
| writer1       = {{hlist|[[Tate McRae]]|Roy Lenzo|[[Amy Allen (songwriter)|Amy Allen]]|[[Denzel Baptiste]]|[[David Biral]]}}
| extra1        = [[Take a Daytrip]]
| title2        = New Brain
| length2       = 3:05
| writer2       = {{hlist|[[Alexis Kesselman]]|Paul Bogum|Keven Wolfsohn}}
| extra2        = Idarose
| title3        = Just My Name
| length3       = 3:32
| writer3       = {{hlist|[[Naomi Scott]]|Kesselman}}
| extra3        = Idarose
| title4        = Blood on White Satin
| length4       = 2:43
| writer4       = Kesselman
| extra4        = Idarose
| title5        = Death of Me
| length5       = 2:46
| writer5       = {{hlist|Scott|Kesselman}}
| extra5        = Idarose
| title6        = Just My Name
| note6         = piano version
| length6       = 3:15
| writer6       = {{hlist|Scott|Kesselman}}
| extra6        = Idarose
}}{{Clear}}
==Release==
''Smile 2'' was released in the United States by [[Paramount Pictures]] on October 18, 2024.<ref>{{cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |title=''Smile 2'' Sets Release Date, ''One Love'' Moves |url=https://deadline.com/2023/09/smile-2-one-love-theatrical-release-dates-1235554012/ |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |date=September 22, 2023 |access-date=September 22, 2023 |archive-date=September 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230922204944/https://deadline.com/2023/09/smile-2-one-love-theatrical-release-dates-1235554012/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The film was released on [[premium video on demand]] (PVOD) on November 19, 2024, and is set to be released on [[4K Ultra HD Blu-ray]], in a 4K Ultra HD [[SteelBook]], [[Blu-ray]], and [[DVD]] on January 21, 2025.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Lammers |first=Tim |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/timlammers/2024/11/16/horror-hit-smile-2-debuts-on-digital-streaming-this-week/ |title=Horror Hit 'Smile 2' Debuts On Digital Streaming This Week |magazine=[[Forbes]] |date=November 16, 2024 |access-date=November 21, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Squires |first=John |url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3839781/smile-2-comes-home-to-digital-outlets-this-tuesday/ |title='Smile 2' Comes Home to Digital Outlets This Tuesday! |website=[[Bloody Disgusting]] |date=November 18, 2024 |access-date=November 21, 2024}}</ref>
==Reception==
=== Box office ===
{{As of|2024|12|2|df=US}}, ''Smile 2'' has grossed $68.8&nbsp;million in the United States and Canada, and $68.9&nbsp;million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $137.7&nbsp;million.<ref name="BOM" /><ref name="NUM" />
In the United States and Canada, ''Smile 2'' was projected to gross $17–25{{nbsp}}million from 3,619 theaters in its opening weekend.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2024/10/smile-2-box-office-1236117666/|title=''Smile 2'' Heading For High Teens At Weekend Box Office|date=October 16, 2024|first=Anthony|last=D'Alessandro|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|access-date=October 16, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rubin |first=Rebecca |date=October 16, 2024 |title=Box Office: 'Smile 2' Aims to Carve Out $20 Million in Opening Weekend |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/box-office/box-office-smile-2-opening-weekend-projections-1236179199/ |access-date=October 16, 2024 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref> The film made $9.5{{nbsp}}million on its first day,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/date/2024-10-18/|title=Domestic Box Office For Oct 18, 2024|website=[[Box Office Mojo]]|access-date=October 21, 2024}}</ref> including an estimated $2.5{{nbsp}}million in previews.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Moreau |first=Jordan |date=2024-10-18 |title=Box Office: ''Smile 2'' Makes $2.5 Million in Previews |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/box-office/box-office-smile-2-previews-1236180139/ |access-date=2024-10-18 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="opening">{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2024/10/box-office-smile-2-1236120024/|title=''Smile 2'' Happier With $23M Opening; A24's ''We Live In Time'' Making Dime With $4M+, ''Anora'' Wows With Massive $90K Theater Average – Sunday Box Officee|date=October 20, 2024|first=Anthony|last=D'Alessandro|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|access-date=October 20, 2024|archive-date=November 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241108214419/https://deadline.com/2024/10/box-office-smile-2-1236120024/|url-status=live}}</ref> The film went on to debut to $23{{nbsp}}million, topping the original's $22.6{{nbsp}}million debut and finishing first at the box office.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rubin |first=Rebecca |date=2024-10-20 |title=''Smile 2'' Leads Box Office With $23 Million Debut, A24's ''We Live in Time'' Cracks Top Five |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/box-office/smile-2-box-office-opening-weekend-we-live-in-time-impresses-1236183702/ |access-date=2024-10-20 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref> The film made $9.5 million in its second weekend, finishing second behind newcomer ''[[Venom: The Last Dance]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2024W43/|title=Domestic 2024 Weekend 43|website=[[Box Office Mojo]]|access-date=November 2, 2024}}</ref>
===Critical response===
[[File:Naomi Scott during interview in 2019 02.png|alt=Naomi Scott in 2016|thumb|255x255px|[[Naomi Scott]]'s performance as Skye Riley received critical acclaim from critics and audience alike.]]
The film received positive reviews from critics, with many deemed it was an improvement over the first film, and highly praised Naomi Scott's performance.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Campbell |first=Christopher |date=October 16, 2024 |title=Smile 2 First Reviews: One of the Best Horror Films of the Year |url=https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/smile-2-first-reviews-one-of-the-best-horror-films-of-the-year/ |access-date=2024-10-21 |website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]}}</ref> {{Rotten Tomatoes prose|86|6.9|197|Blessed with a nerve-jangling star turn by Naomi Scott, writer-director Parker Finn broadens ''Smile''{{'s}} conceit into a pop stardom nightmare that'll leave a rictus grin on horror fans' faces.|ref=yes|access-date=November 21, 2024}} {{Metacritic film prose|66|36|ref=yes|access-date=October 10, 2024}} Audiences polled by [[CinemaScore]] gave the film an average grade of "B" on an A+ to F scale (up from the first film's "B-"), while those surveyed by [[PostTrak]] gave it a 71% overall positive score (including an average of 3 1/2 out of 5 stars).<ref name="opening" />
Writing for ''[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]'', Austen Goslin gave a positive review for the film, deeming it superior to the first, while stating: "Rather than simply rehashing the original, Parker Finn pushes his clever premise to its logical extreme and builds some incredibly scary scenes to match. In fact, Finn ends ''Smile 2'' in a spot that feels like the perfect conclusion to the franchise — and the perfect jumping-off point for the career of one of the most exciting horror directors of his generation."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Goslin |first=Austen |date=2024-10-17 |title=Smile 2 is smarter, scarier, and much better than the first movie |url=https://www.polygon.com/review/466687/smile-2-review-best-horror-movies-2024 |access-date=2024-10-18 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]}}</ref> David Fear of ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' wrote, "There are long stretches where you actually forget you're watching a ''Smile'' movie and couldn't be blamed for thinking you've stumbled into a slightly more nightmarish version of ''[[Beyond the Lights]]''."<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-reviews/smile-2-review-1235134023/|title=''Smile 2'' Proves There's Nothing Scarier Than Pop Stardom|last=Fear|first=David|date=October 17, 2024|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]}}</ref> Benjamin Lee of ''[[The Guardian]]'' gave the film 3/5 stars, writing, "I'm not sure if ''Smile 2'' really adds much to an experience that we don't already know but it does make for a neat, well-utilised setting for a horror film about losing one's mind."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2024/oct/17/smile-2-review|title=Smile 2 review – gory pop star horror sequel sings a familiar tune|last=Lee|first=Benjamin|date=October 17, 2024|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]''{{'}}s [[Owen Gleiberman]] said, "The movie is hardly subtle, yet Parker Finn has become a clever enough filmmaker to make reality feel like a hallucination and hallucinations feel like reality."<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Gleiberman |first=Owen |date=2024-10-16 |title='Smile 2' Review: A Skillfully Disquieting Sequel Turns the Life of a Pop Star Into a Horror Ride of Mental Breakdown |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/reviews/smile-2-review-naomi-scott-1236178126/ |access-date=2024-10-21 |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref>
[[Bilge Ebiri]] of ''[[Vulture (website)|Vulture]]'' was more critical, writing, "As Skye becomes increasingly unable to tell what's actually happening and what's a waking nightmare, we should feel more for her, and we should feel more with her. Instead, we lose interest, as the whole thing becomes pointless and even a little cynical and cruel. The movie ultimately scuttles its own ambitions."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/article/review-smile-2s-ideas-are-scarier-than-the-movie-itself.html|title=Smile 2's Ideas Are Scarier Than the Movie Itself|date=October 17, 2024|website=[[Vulture (website)|Vulture]]|last=Ebiri|first=Bilge|author-link=Bilge Ebiri|access-date=October 17, 2024}}</ref> ''[[NME]]''{{'}}s James Mottram said, "Sadly, ''Smile 2'' doesn't feel as fresh as its predecessor. Partly because it borrows liberally from films like ''[[Flatliners]]'' (and tries to out-gore ''[[The Substance]]'' for all the bloody prosthetics)... in essence this is just a re-run of the first movie, just in a slightly glitzier environment."<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Mottram |first=James |date=2024-10-16 |title='Smile 2' review: unhappy horror sequel might make you frown |url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/film-reviews/smile-2-review-horror-naomi-scott-3803332 |access-date=2024-10-21 |magazine=[[NME]]}}</ref>
=== Accolades ===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
! scope="col" |Award/Festival
! scope="col" |Date of ceremony
! scope="col" |Category
! scope="col" |Recipient(s)
!Result
! class="unsortable" scope="col" |{{Ref heading}}
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="3" style="text-align:center;"| [[The Astra Awards]]
| scope="row" rowspan="3" style="text-align:center;"| [[8th_Astra_Film_Awards|December 8, 2024]]
| Best Horror or Thriller Feature
| ''Smile 2''
| {{pending}}
|rowspan="3" align="center"|<ref>{{cite web |last1=Pond |first1=Steve |title=‘Wicked’ Leads Nominations for Astra Film Awards |url=https://www.thewrap.com/astra-film-awards-nominations-wicked/ |website=[[TheWrap]] |access-date=26 November 2024 |date=25 November 2024}}</ref>
|-
| Best Actress
| scope="row" rowspan="2" style="text-align:left;"|[[Naomi Scott]]
| {{pending}}
|-
| Best Performance in a Horror or Thriller
| {{pending}}
|-
|}
== Future ==
In September 2024, writer/director Parker Finn confirmed plans to continue the franchise with a third film; stating: "...we've maybe only scooped a single glass of water out of the ocean. ...I think it's really fun to imagine a lineage of ''Smile'' movies where each one becomes more off the rails than the previous one."<ref name="Future_SFX">{{cite web|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/entertainment/horror-movies/smile-2-director-says-the-sequel-uses-ideas-that-didnt-make-it-into-the-first-film-and-he-already-has-a-plan-for-a-third-movie-too/|work=GamesRadar / SFX Magazine|title=Smile 2 director says the sequel uses ideas that didn't make it into the first film – and he already has a plan for a third movie too|last1=Milici|first1=Lauren|first2=Steve|last2=O'Brien|date=September 28, 2024|access-date=October 3, 2024}}</ref>
==Notes==
{{noteslist}}
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
* {{Official website|https://www.smile.movie}}
* {{IMDb title}}
{{Smile (franchise)}}
{{Parker Finn}}
[[Category:2024 films]]
[[Category:2024 horror films]]
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[[Category:American supernatural horror films]]
[[Category:Demons in film]]
[[Category:Features based on short films]]
[[Category:Films about curses]]
[[Category:Films about singers]]
[[Category:Films directed by Parker Finn]]
[[Category:Films scored by Cristobal Tapia de Veer]]
[[Category:Films produced by Wyck Godfrey]]
[[Category:Films set in 2022]]
[[Category:Films set in New Jersey]]
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