Smile 2: Everything We Know About the Horror Sequel

The haunting return of the Smile franchise is setting the stage for terror this October! Here’s what to expect as Smile 2 hits theaters with pop star Skye Riley battling the sinister entity.

Smile 2 is set to hit theaters soon, and anticipation is building for what’s in store as the chilling smile entity returns. The original Smile exceeded expectations, securing a theatrical release after impressive test screenings. Thanks to its innovative marketing and box office success, the sequel is poised to be even more ambitious.

The Plot

In the first Smile film, we followed Dr. Rose Cotter (Sosie Bacon), who faced a harrowing countdown of seven days to evade a demon after witnessing a patient’s tragic end. Smile 2 shifts gears, introducing a new lead: a pop star named Skye Riley (Naomi Scott). This time, she must navigate her soaring fame while confronting the sinister curse that haunts her. With the entity’s shapeshifting nature, the stakes are raised, inviting a plethora of potential sequels to explore this malevolent force further.

Recent trailers have teased moments from the film, including a gripping clip featuring Naomi Scott as Skye. Paramount has unveiled a new trailer that opens with pop star Skye Riley, whose concert takes a dark turn following the sudden death of a close friend. The death transfers the smile entity to her, leading to a series of unsettling occurrences. The trailer also features Joel (Kyle Gallner), who is on a quest for answers about the sinister force haunting them both.

While plot details remained under wraps for some time, the trailers have clarified much of the story. Smile 2 follows Skye as she grapples with the relentless pursuit of the familiar Smile Entity. Desperate to escape its grasp, she’s willing to risk everything, including her life and career. Meanwhile, Joel continues his quest for answers in the wake of the first film’s events, and his investigation may soon intertwine with Skye’s, revealing deeper connections to the dark presence that threatens them both.

The Cast

Several familiar faces from the first film are set to return. Kyle Gallner is confirmed to return as Joel, Rose’s detective ex-boyfriend. Additionally, there’s a possibility that Jesse T. Usher, who portrayed Trevor, and Gillian Zinser as Holly could also make appearances in the sequel. And, of course, every horror film needs an evil antagonist, so Marti Matulis is expected to return as the smile monstrosity, ensuring the franchise’s chilling presence continues.

Reviews

Early reviews suggest that Smile 2 exceeds expectations. Critics like Drew Taylor from TheWrap caught an early sequel of the movie. 

Collider’s Perri Nemiroff offers nothing but praise about the sequel and how it takes everything to a whole new level compared to the first film.

So far, it appears that everyone agrees the sequel is significantly scarier, featuring even more jump scares.

Release Date

Smile 2 is scheduled to be released on October 18, 2024, marking its arrival roughly two years after the original Smile film. Although a streaming release date has yet to be announced, it is anticipated that Smile 2 will eventually be available on Paramount+.