From a smiling duo in the stands of an MLB game to creative billboards, a Spotify EP, and an Instagram account devoted to fictional pop star Skye Riley, the marketing team for Smile 2 has been making extra effort to build excitement for their recent movie. 

Parker Finn’s Smile 2 comes only two years after its predecessor Smile, a horror film that received buzz for its premise reminiscent of David Robert Mitchell’s It Follows. The sequel picks up shortly after the events of the first film, following Skye Riley (Naomi Scott), a Grammy award-winning pop superstar about to take off on a new world tour. Skye is attempting to rebuild her life and relationships after a public battle with substance abuse and the traumatic death of her boyfriend, Paul Hudson (Ray Nicholson). As Skye prepares for her upcoming tour, she finds herself having to deal with new a demon, a terror that is only furthered by her fame and celebrity status. 

In a genre where there are typically countless sequels and prequels that don’t live up to the original story, Smile 2 is a solid sequel that is even better than the first. Finn masterfully raises the stakes, leveling up the intensity and effects. The film also carefully crafts its jumpscares, avoiding overuse of this common scare tactic, instead layering it with a character-driven narrative.

Naomi Scott’s Stunning Horror Debut 

Smile 2 owes much of its success as a standout sequel to the performance of its lead, Naomi Scott. Scott, best known for Lemonade Mouth, Aladdin, and Charlie’s Angels, makes her horror film debut in the supernatural flick. She also demonstrates that she is a true triple threat—acting, singing, and dancing as Skye Riley, a role that tests her on multiple levels.

While Scott already proved her vocal ability in her other movie songs “She’s So Gone” from Lemonade Mouth and “Speechless” in the live-action remake of Aladdin, her singing only adds to the believability of her role as an American pop star. Smile 2: The Skye Riley EP, which includes all of the songs Scott sings within the film, is currently available on Spotify with two of its six tracks already reaching 2.5 million streams. Parker Finn, who returned to direct the sequel, discussed how creating the feel of a real pop star was crucial to the film. In an artistry featurette used to promote the film, Finn stated, “One of the benefits of working with Naomi is that she happens to be an incredibly talented singer and dancer. She sings all of the songs and does her own choreography in the film.” And she does so all while being a part of a story that is deeply terrifying and traumatic. 

But Scott’s acting is the true highlight of the film, as she battles with both internal and external demons. Her character is haunted by hallucinations, seeing friends and family members with menacing smiles, yet no one believes her or sees what she sees. Scott brings depth to a woman struggling with mental and physical health issues, all while dealing with these issues in the public eye. From fan meet-and-greets to reliving memories of an abusive, toxic relationship, and even being attacked by a group of smiling individuals in her apartment, Scott conveys a wide range of emotions effortlessly.  

Smile 2 Generating Oscar Buzz

Finn continued to praise Scott’s performance in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter: “Naomi is an absolute powerhouse. She gives a tour-de-force performance in [Smile 2], and if I was on an awards committee, even unbiased, I would say she absolutely deserves consideration. So I hope that the industry starts recognizing that.” Many others have taken to social media to talk about the Oscar buzz surrounding Scott’s performance and to celebrate the actress for pouring everything she has into this role. Horror films rarely get the accolades they deserve at major award ceremonies like the Oscars, but if there were ever a time to change that narrative, it would be now—with Naomi Scott’s showstopping performance in Smile 2. 

From playing a Disney Princess to becoming a Scream Queen, Naomi Scott gives one of the best horror performances the genre has seen in a long time. Regardless of any possible award nominations, her performance is truly captivating and is definitely worth the watch. Hopefully, this is just the beginning of Naomi Scott’s presence in the horror genre.