The term “psychological” in “psychological horror” applies to a wide spectrum of experiences for moviegoers, but it typically boils down to an assault on the senses, ranging from visual all the way to sound. To put it simply, it is a genre of film that makes you uneasy. However, a lot of recent films have been using the term “psychological horror” as a way of saying it has a way of creeping into your mind – but not all films manage to achieve that goal.
“Smile 2” is a cut above the rest when it comes to that specific genre. Building on the story established by its predecessor, this horror flick is unapologetically brutal, both in themes and its kills. It is a heavy film that targets almost all of your senses, creating a unique and ultimately horrifying film experience. Unlike some films, such as “Speak No Evil,” where it feels you are cringing out of sheer embarrassment to the point of uneasiness, “Smile 2” takes that cringe and transforms it into a looming sense of dread. How terrifying is this film? Let’s find out.
“Smile 2” starts only six days after the events of the first film and it wastes no time in throwing the audience into the thick of it. We immediately see one of the protagonists from the last film, Joel (played by Kyle Gallner), who is still dealing with the death of his ex-girlfriend. To avoid spoilers, we’ll just say that we’re shown how the curse is passed on to our most recent protagonist and unfortunate victim, Skye Riley (played by Naomi Scott), a famous pop star and recording artist who just came back onto the scene following a horrific tragedy.
Right from the start, the film wastes no time in giving you that terrible, sinking feeling you get in your stomach. “Smile 2” isn’t like any jumpscare-packed film — it is proactively digging under your skin in an effort to make you feel uncomfortable in your seat, something the film achieves and deserves mad respect for.
If you are looking forward to watching this film but are extremely sensitive to themes such as suicide, depression, and other extreme topics, or simply not in the right headspace for these sort of themes, then we strongly recommend avoiding this film. It takes a massive mental toll on even the most gung-ho horror consumer — hence, you should watch this movie if and only if you’re at the peak of your mental game.
There are a multitude of reasons why “Scream 2” would have such an impact on a person, and why it is so effective. The first and most obvious reason is the powerful performance of Naomi Scott. She captures the fear and anxiety of someone who feels constantly trapped in a maddening cycle of death and despair. Her character and performance can only be described as being in a constant state of panic, or someone who is on the verge of snapping and losing her mind. She is always stressed out, on edge, and terrified, and we the audience, feel it. That takes a real physical and mental toll, but she more than rises to the occasion, and in turn, we receive a masterful performance from her.
However, this aforementioned looming sense of dread is further enhanced by its stellar cinematography and audio engineering. Starting off with the cinematography, much like the original, the sequel utilises various odd camera angles, extended long cuts, and jarring transitions to bring us on edge and perhaps even further elevate the maddening pressure that Skye is feeling.
One of the major gripes we had with the original film was the excessive use of jump cuts that broke a lot of the film’s pacing and built0up tension. Fortunately or unfortunately, depending on what kind of viewer you are, these jump cuts have been greatly reduced, forcing us to simmer in an intense sequence that we’d wish would just end; sometimes the film would build up to a scare that isn’t even there just to mess with the viewers. The film doesn’t rely on jumpscares – there’s only one notable or major jumpscare – while the remainder of the flick’s runtime is just pure terror, and it deserves kudos for that.
You can argue that the first film was experimental, where some parts felt a bit disjointed, as if it was still playing it safe. “Smile 2” has more structure, refuses to play it safe, and actively gives you a sense of hopelessness that stays with you even after the film has ended. The creators of the film stated that the entire franchise was meant to be an allegory of depression and the despairing feeling it often leaves its victims in.
Supporting this frightening experience is the sound design. From the terrible shrill of the string to slowly distorted sounds, the audio in this film is incredible. Some would even say it is not music anymore; it is just noise to some extent, but it is the type of sound that burrows in your ear and reverberates at the back of your head. This part of the film is absolutely the key in building and escalating tension. But even worse is the fact that there are several instances where the sound would just cut out, which is absolutely horrifying in its own right.
However, the film is not perfect, though you could argue that these are nitpicks. One negative would be that there are several instances where scenes would drag on a little longer than necessary, which might be intentional, but we cannot discredit its effects on the film and on the viewing experience as a whole. Another is the jump cuts, but the same argument with the previous nitpick might also apply here.
Despite our praise for this film, we do not wish to see future installments in this franchise. This is due in large part to the fact that “Smile 2” ends on an incredibly high note, that we believe there’s no way of topping it – unless it becomes more than just psychological horror. This might lead to a prequel of some kind, like an origin story for the curse, but if not, then that would be perfectly fine as well.
Overall, “Smile 2” is an absolutely terrifying film that spares no expense at getting under your skin and making you feel the intense pressure of being a prisoner of your own mind. Naomi Scott’s performance is one of the strongest foundations that allows this film to perform well. But even so, the flick’s deranged and unhinged cinematography and sound design elevate it to new, terrifying heights that are not meant for the faint of heart. It is a sequel that far surpasses the original in almost every possible way. If you are looking for an absolutely terrifying flick that will stay with you like the curse, then watch this film; otherwise, steer clear of it.
“Smile 2” will be in theatres on 17th October.
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