![Hosting the SCLA Casptone Mentor Dinner outside allowed for more attendees on September 27, 2021 at Silver Creek. This event would’ve usually been held inside. According to Lauren Kohn, a SCLA 12 teacher, “If we have a higher number of people, as long as we can host the event outside, then that seems to be keeping every[one] safe”.](https://schsnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/sxMAIGbSYGodZkqmrvTi5YWcJ1ssWA08ApkeMLpp-900x675.jpeg)
The 2022 horror hit “Smile” has returned with the sequel, “Smile 2.” The original film follows Dr. Rose Carter, a therapist who discovered the chilling pattern of the Smile entity; once an individual is possessed by the entity, they begin to lose their sense of reality, seeing things others can’t and eventually, it causes them to end their own life, but only once someone can witness their death. Those who watch the disturbing suicide of another will soon find themselves to be the next victim.
The sequel follows the life of Skye Riley (Naomi Scott), a famous pop star. Riley faced a tragic car accident, killing her husband Paul Hudson (Ray Nicholson), and leaving her with a severe injury. To cope with the tragedy Skye falls into addiction, becoming acquainted with drug dealer Lewis (Lukas Cage). Throughout the film, Skye struggles to keep up with the high demands of the pop world combined with emotional stress and soon she is captured into the pattern of the Smile entity.
Writer and director of “Smile 2” Finn Parker, delves into the inner workings of psychological terror, exploring the effects on individuals in the movie, and on the audience. Parker attempts to continue the original storyline, using an old character in the first scenes, and bringing back another character later in the story. Parker says the storyline and the ending of the film are inspired by tragic stories of pop stars like Amy Winehouse and Whitney Houston, pointing the finger at the audience for playing a part in their highly publicized unravelings.
While Skye faces struggles throughout the movie, Parker ensures to bring all troubling aspects of having fame to life. He highlights not just her past struggles, but what it’s like to have a mother constantly pushing her child towards success. He shows the pressure of her director and PR team and even the drama between an old friend. He slowly builds up the stress of everything combined and captures her breakdown.
While the idea of a celebrity break down is creative and captured well, the overall plot of the film is lacking. Parker attempts to tie in the plot of “Smile,” but fails to do so. The sequel begins with a scene showing one of the original characters, while it’s supposed to show the entity being passed on, it leaves the audience confused and unsure as to what’s happening. In addition, the plot seems rather repetitive of the first film: the same cycle of terror repeats only with a famous person this time. While good movies often conclude with more questions left than answers, the entire storyline was confusing and hard to follow, and the ending disappointing. The film makes it seem as though the plot will be leading up to something huge—a mystery solved or dramatic saving of the day, but instead ends abruptly.
Overall, “Smile 2” was overhyped. A good psychological thriller includes an unsuspecting audience and a shocking twist, this film didn’t quite live up to this standard. For a viewer who hasn’t seen the original Smile, this plot is even harder to follow, but those who have are almost just as confused. The plot twist wasn’t bad, but it was the aftermath that left the audience disappointed. Suspense is built up until the very end, yet the last scene is bordering lame. So much more could have been done with the ending: some revolutionary discovery could have been made, a new mystery could have been uncovered; but instead, it seems as though Finn Parker took the lazy way out. The vision of this sequel was there, the execution; however, was not made into a reality. Make me feel something with this closing line.
