Five Reasons To Watch Thrilling New Psychological Horror Smile 2

SMILE 2
SMILE 2
SMILE 2
SMILE 2

SMILE 2 ·Photo: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures

The next chapter in Parker Finn’s blockbuster franchise stars rising actor and singer Naomi Scott and The White Lotus’s Lukas Gage. In partnership with Paramount Pictures Australia, here’s why it should be at the top of your watchlist.

It’s the time of high-concept horror. Directors like M Night Shyamalan (The Sixth Sense, The Watchers) started it, and Jordan Peele has carried the torch since Get Out in 2017.

Now adding to the list of horror directors to watch is Parker Finn, whose debut Smile grossed over $200 million worldwide. Now Finn returns with the sequel, Smile 2 – just in time for Halloween.

Featuring Australia’s Caitlin Stasey (Please Like Me) and Sosie Bacon (daughter of Kyra Sedgwick and Kevin Bacon), the original Smile followed a psychologist who, after a witnessing traumatic incident with a patient, was beset by a series of unsettling events.

Never miss a moment. Make sure you're subscribed to our newsletter today.
SUBSCRIBE NOW

In Smile 2, the narrative shifts gears. It now centres on global pop sensation Skye Riley (Naomi Scott), who’s confronted by inexplicable and terrifying occurrences just as she’s about to embark on a global tour.

Whether you’re a Smile buff or new to the saga, here are five reasons why Smile 2 should be at the top of your watchlist.

Rising stars take the spotlight

Smile 2 showcases some of the next big names in film alongside veterans like Rosemarie DeWitt and Raúl Castillo. You might have seen Naomi Scott in Disney Channel favourites Life Bites, Aladdin and Charlie’s Angels. Here she comes into her own with a gripping performance as Skye Riley, a pop star battling personal demons, supernatural happenings and public pressures. The film also features up-and-comer Lukas Gage, who recently made a splash in Euphoria, Fargo and White Lotus.

A sinister take on celebrity

Smile 2 shows viewers the darker side of celebrity, where constant scrutiny and the loss of privacy become nightmares of their own. As Riley navigates her world tour, she realises that, as the world around her gets smaller and smaller, the people in her orbit can’t be trusted. It’s a chilling commentary on the solitude and vulnerability of fame in an industry that can be as unforgiving as the supernatural forces she faces.

A genre-bending mix of psychological and supernatural horror

Finn weaves together psychological tension and supernatural horror with results that will leave audiences questioning what’s real and what’s imagined. Though you may be startled by a few jump scares, the real terror comes from the slow unravelling of Riley’s mind as she struggles to distinguish between reality and the nightmares that plague her.

An experience designed for the big screen

There’s no substitute for the immersive experience of watching a horror film in cinemas, and Smile 2 is no exception. The theatrical release of the original was a box office triumph, and Smile 2 bets again on the power of the collective cinematic experience. From its sweeping visuals to its spine-chilling sound design, this film is meant to be seen and heard on the big screen with others.

A new chapter in a promising horror franchise

Smile 2 is not just a sequel; it’s the next step in what could become one of horror’s most compelling franchises. The film expands on the world introduced in the original, raising the stakes and diving deeper into the sinister lore that makes Smile so unnerving.

With the tagline “You’re not ready for the encore”, the film promises shocks that will leave even the most seasoned horror fans reeling.

Smile 2 comes exclusively to cinemas on October 17. Book your tickets now.

This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with Paramount Pictures Australia.

Produced by Broadsheet in partnership with Paramount Pictures Australia.

Produced by Broadsheet in partnership with Paramount Pictures Australia.
Learn more about partner content on Broadsheet.

Broadsheet promotional banner