This Horror Sequel Was So Outstanding We May Have a New Franchise Coming
A new horror icon in town? Well, I sure hope so. This one deserves to become a franchise more than any modern horror, in my opinion.
Creating a worthy sequel is tough. And if you really think about it, an exceptional sequel is rarer than you think. Sure, we have The Godfather Part II and Empire Strikes Back, but those are exceptions rather than rules. There are dozens of forgettable follow-ups that make me wish sequels weren't even a thing.
Yet every so often comes a movie that proves me wrong. And Smile 2 is that great example of a sequel done right.
Smile 2 Is a Top-Notch Horror That Will Leave You Hanging on for Dear Life
I have to admit, I went into this one with low expectations. The first Smile was a solid horror flick that wrapped up nicely, so I wasn't sure we needed more. But boy was I wrong! This sequel takes everything that made the original work and does more with it somehow.
This time we follow a pop star, Skye (Naomi Scott) who prepares for her tour and has absolutely zero idea that she's about to face the worst nightmare of her life.
The movie wastes no time getting to the good stuff. Within the first 30 minutes you're already at the edge of your seat. And you'll stay there till the very end.
What really got me was how they managed to expand the mythology without going off the rails. Sequels (especially horror ones) just throw random stuff in there and hope something sticks. But not this one. Every new revelation feels earned and adds another layer of creepy to an already unsettling universe.
Smile Is a Perfect New Horror Franchise
Speaking of expanding the universe, I think Smile deserves its own franchise. I'd be more than excited to see what director and writer Parker Finn comes up with next.
In an interview to Discussing Film, Finn said he wouldn't mind working on more Smile material. He said:
"I think there could be any number of intriguing directions to take it [franchise]. Right now, I’m really excited to release Smile 2, and I hope that audiences will engage and connect with it. You know, we’ll just have to wait and see what the future holds."
And he's right. For now, all we have to do is wait and rewatch the sequel 10 more times. You can catch Smile 2 on Plex, Spectrum, FlixFling, Fandango at Home, Amazon Video and Apple TV+.
