Karl’s review published on Letterboxd:
Parker Finn levels up significantly filmmaking wise, which he makes abundantly clear in a brava opening scene done in one shot. What really or rather who, elevates this above the original outing is leading actress Naomi Scott. It's a true star turn, in which she owns every moment she's on screen. Lucky for us that's pretty much the entirety of the two-hour plus running time. What makes "Smile 2" stand apart is its unique victim. Rather than someone in medicine, journalism, law enforcement or in high school/college, Finn drops us into the world of a troubled pop star. This choice makes for a more unique experience. It also results into some banger set pieces.
In the "Smile" films rather than a slasher or a monster we can see, the force of evil is primarily inside the victim's head. As an audience we can usually tell the difference but there are times when it's revealed that what we think is happening isn't remotely occurring. It's basically an extended nightmare. This didn't bother for the most part. Though it did kind of annoy me in the last act. Still the shocking denouement made the mind-fuck worthwhile.
NAOMI SCOTT!!!
I must reinforce how incredible she is. This had to have been an ordeal to play. The psyche of her character is so twisted. Even before being taken over by a demon, her mind is a place where you might need a shotgun. Her personal demons are vicious enough as it it.
SMILE 2 is so successful as its own film that it's not even necessary to see the original. If you have an opportunity to see this in theaters before seeing the first one, do it! The filmmaking, including the sound make it well-worth seeing in Dolby or RPX (any premium screen really) or at least in a theater that plays their films LOUD.
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