Horror Fans Rejoice: Smile 2 Hits Theaters and Sets the Stage for a Franchise
Horror movie fans have a reason to smile. Last week, director Parker Finn returned to theaters with a follow-up to his hit thriller Smile. The original film gained attention thanks to a clever marketing campaign, where eerie photo bombers appeared behind home plate at televised baseball games and even on the Today show. The strategy paid off, with the first film raking in over $200 million at the box office. Now, Smile 2 is aiming to surpass expectations, leaving Paramount’s executives grinning with anticipation.
In the sequel, pop star Skye Riley (played by Naomi Scott) is haunted by a sinister curse that causes hallucinations, driving its victims to suicide. The cast also includes Rosemarie DeWitt as Skye’s mother, Lukas Gage as her drug dealer, and Ray Nicholson as her deceased ex-boyfriend. Nicholson, son of legendary actor Jack Nicholson, channels his father’s famous “Kubrick Stare” in several scenes.
With Smile 2 off to a strong start in theaters, it seems poised to become a major horror franchise, making a third installment likely. For those who haven’t seen the original, it’s available to rent on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Disney+, Paramount+, and Apple TV+.
As for Smile 2, it premiered on October 18 and is currently only available in theaters. By the end of the year, though, it will likely be available to rent or buy on streaming platforms, eventually becoming exclusive to Paramount+. By that time, fans might already be looking forward to the next chapter in the series.