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The Katy Perry who last toured eight years ago was a much different person than the Katy Perry hitting the road this year.

Yes, she got engaged to Orlando Bloom, and gave birth to their daughter, Daisy, who’s now four. She judged American Idol for seven seasons, dropped two albums, and hosted 80 shows for her successful Play residency. But also: “You know, every seven years, all of your cells regenerate,” she tells Rolling Stone with a wink. “I’m a whole, actual, biological, physical different person! But actually, life has completely evolved,...

Although Smile 2’s ending should have been exceptionally obvious, the horror sequel managed to make the twist feel like a genuine surprise thanks to some incredibly clever misdirections. Director Parker Finn’s sequel Smile 2 builds on the world established by 2022’s sleeper hit Smile from its opening scene onward. The bravura opening sequence sees Smile’s doomed antihero Joel venture into the trap house of some drug dealers so he can pass the curse onto them, only for him to accidentally also implicate Lukas Gage’s luckless small-time drug dealer Lewis. This bodes badly for Naomi Scott’s Skye.

A traumatized pop star, Skye Riley suffers from chronic pain and Ptsd after a car crash that killed her boyfriend, Paul Hudson. Skye relies on Lewis to provide her with Vicodin, but gets much more than she bargained for when he takes his own life in front of her...

Morris is one of the strangest additions to the story of Smile 2, and here is everything that we know about him, including his backstory, his plan in the sequel, and more. Most of Smile 2 centers on pop sensation Skye Riley, with a complicated series of events that took place after the end of the original Smile leading to her becoming possessed by the smile curse. However, Skye Riley isn't alone in her fight against the demonic entity, as she manages to meet Morris throughout the events of Smile 2, although his motivations and true nature are questionable.

Smile 2 takes the story and horror of the original Smile and puts it on a much bigger scale, with it haunting one of the world's biggest pop stars rather than a single doctor. Throughout the events of Smile 2, knowledge of the smile entity becomes more widespread, with Skye Riley...

The following contains spoilers for Smile 2, now streaming on Paramount+Smile 2's ending sets up Smile 3, but that film could lose the strongest aspects of the franchise. Smile 2 was a critical and commercial hit, building on the success of the previous film by shifitng the story from Sosie Bacon's Dr. Rose Cotter to the globally-known pop-star Skye Riley. Infected with the same seemingly demonic entity that preys on trauma and spreads through horrific acts of self-harm, Riley's arc was unique to Rose's but consistent with the rules and themes of the first film. The result was a compelling companion piece to the original that amplified the horror.

This includes Smile 2's ending, which takes the dangers posed by the nameless and horrifying Entity and amplifies it on a colossal scale. On one level, this is an exciting development that continues to broaden the scope...

Nosferatu North America Box Office: Beats Longlegs (Photo Credit – Instagram)

Halloween must be gone, but people always enjoy a good horror on the big screen. Thus, Nosferatu is having a good time at the US box office. The film has surpassed two of the most popular horror flicks of 2024, Smile 2 and Longlegs. Scroll below for the deets.

Parker Finn directed Smile 2 debuted in the US with $23 million, which was higher than the original Smile’s debut of $22.6 million in 2022. However, the sequel earned less than the first film in its lifetime. Meanwhile, Longlegs by Osgood Perkins became the highest-grossing independent film of 2024. It was also the second highest-grossing R-rated horror released in 2024. The movie collected $74.34 million in North America, which has now been surpassed by the vampire movie.

Now, according to Luiz Fernando’s report, Nosferatu by Robert Eggers has surpassed Smile 2 and Longlegs at the US...

Hazard, a drama focused on the opioid crisis that has ravaged the U.S. is coming to cinemas in Appalachia, a region hit particularly hard by the epidemic over the years. Eddie Mensore’s drama opens in twenty cinemas across the region this Friday, January 10th. It expands to Los Angeles on February 7th and New York at the end of that month. Hazard stars Sosie Bacon, Alex Roe, Dave Davis, Steven Ogg, and Kevin Sizemore. You will find the trailer down below the official announcement. Hazard - In theatres beginning January 10th Starring Sosie Bacon (Smile), daughter of Kevin Bacon & Kyra Sedgwick, and Alex Roe (Forever My Girl), currently seen in MGM+'s Billy The Kid Opening January 10th...

[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...

At this point, virtually every anime fan has heard of Ping Pong The Animation in one way or another. It's gained as much infamy as fame because of its divisive art style, but it's roundly considered one of the best sports anime around. Just because it's well-received, though, doesn't mean it's not underrated. Despite being universally recognized, few people have actually watched Ping Pong, and even fewer grasp what makes it such a unique anime.

The reason for all the clamoring fans is simple: Ping Pong is a masterful story with an unconventional take on sports shōnen that has a truly singular message—although everyone won't agree with it. While many sports shonen aspire to be stories about dedication begetting excellence, Ping Pong is an introspective look at natural talent. It values its defeats as much as its victories. In spite of its divisive qualities, Ping Pong is a must-watch for every anime fan,...

Following The Film Stage’s collective top 50 films of 2024, as part of our year-end coverage, our contributors are sharing their personal top 10 lists.

I’ll be blunt: it wasn’t a good year for films, or at least for me it wasn’t. The following ten films and five honorable mentions, while fine to very good, represent a step down from what 2023 offered. Part of this is due to an industry impacted by two strikes in 2023 that cancelled or postponed many productions. Part of it is personal, in that I couldn’t see as many films as I’d like in 2024. And part of it has to do with the large amount of mediocrity I did see, of films that lacked risk and imagination. A lot of movies preferred to ape their influences rather than build off of them, and in turn coddled viewers with familiarity. By the end of...

Smile 2 ending twist revealed for Smile 3 (Photo Credit – Instagram)

If you thought Smile was a mind-bender, Smile 2 says, ‘Holy, my metaphorical beer.’ Yes, this sequel cranks up the Wtf factor with an ending so audacious it practically dares you to keep up. And this time, we’re in the shattered psyche of Skye Riley, a singer whose onstage hallucinations make Smile’s ten-minute mental detour look tame.

And the plot twist? She didn’t kill her mom because there’s no grungy pizza joint, and the demon may or may not be playing mind games. Oh, and Morris? He might not even exist at all. Smile 2 doesn’t just blur the line between reality and illusion; it bulldozes it. Confused? Well, this is precisely where the movie wants you.

How Does Smile 2 Ending Make Up Smile 3?

Smile 2 ends with a concert-level chaos bomb that’s...

Smile 2 director Parker Finn explained the true meaning of the sequel's horrific ending. 

The much-discussed horror movie follows a famous pop star named Skye Riley as she becomes the brutal victim of the Smile curse. 

While experiencing a plethora of hallucinations, Smile 2 showcases her descent into madness even if she tries to fight off the brutal curse that already haunted many victims before her.

Read full article on The Direct.

Smile 2 Box Office (North America): Officially Ends Its Theatrical Run ( Photo Credit – YouTube )

Naomi Scott starrer Smile 2 has reportedly ended its box office run in North America after fifty-six days. The movie earned immense praise and accolades and, therefore, turned out to be successful at the box office. It was directed by Parker Finn, and the movie made headlines after collecting $25 million in just four days of release. It left the overseas theatres a few days back with almost equal collections as the domestic gross. Scroll below for the deets.

For the unversed, the first film was released in 2022 and followed Parker Finn’s short film Laura Hasn’t Slept. The short film was released in 2020. It was made on a reported budget of $17 million, and although it recorded a lower opening than the sequel, the 2022 flick is winning the box office race by significant numbers. Smile collected...

Although Smile 2’s ending seems to doom the franchise’s future, both Smile and its sequel secretly offer an explanation that justifies the movie’s big twist. Smile 2’s twist ending is wildly audacious, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that it is good for the Smile franchise as a whole. Like Smile’s ending, Smile 2’s closing scene reveals that a significant chunk of the story took place in the shattered mind of its disturbed heroine. However, where only ten minutes of Smile takes place in the heroine’s head, Smile 2’s ending is much more ambitious and ambiguous.

Related 7 Ways Smile 2 Sets Up Smile 3

Smile 2 brings audiences back to the terrifying world of the Entity through pop star Skye Riley, yet it also plants the seeds for another sequel.

When Smile 2’s singer heroine Skye Riley realizes she is onstage and...

Smile concluded by revealing the monstrous Entity, only for this year's Smile 2 to up the ante in an unforgettable final scene. During Skye Riley's final performance, the creature showed its true face before infecting her and exposing the "Smile" curse to the thousands in attendance.

That's going to make Smile 3 an even bigger movie than its predecessors, though Paramount Pictures has yet to announce threequel plans. In the meantime, concept artist Vincent Proce has just dropped some of his terrifying designs for the Entity (via FearHQ.com).

Many of his pieces are sketched in pencil, though we also have a fully illustrated final design that highlights every grotesque detail on a monster that we still know very little about; worryingly, it also appears to be damn near unstoppable from what we've seen thus far.

We recently spoke to Smile and Smile 2 director Finn Parker and asked about the Entity's role in the latter movie.

Smile 2’s theatrical run was a successful one, and though the sequel couldn’t match the box office numbers of the first movie, it’s still a massive success. 2024 was a big year for the horror genre, and one of the most anticipated horror movies was Smile 2, the sequel to one of 2022’s biggest and most surprising hits. Directed once again by Parker Finn, Smile 2 takes place six days after the ending of Smile, and begins with Joel (Kyle Gallner) passing the Smile curse onto another person, who later passes it on to pop star Skye Riley (Naomi Scott).

Skye is recovering from substance-use disorder and a car accident in which her boyfriend died. In addition to that, to revive her career, she’s also preparing for a new world tour, but to make it all more complicated, she becomes the new host of the Smile Entity.

Although Smile 2 couldn’t quite outdo its predecessor Smile at the box office, the critically acclaimed hit was still one of 2024’s best horror movies. 2024 has been a great year for horror. From indie efforts like I Saw The TV Glow to franchise installments like Alien: Romulus, the genre has managed to impress critics while also excelling at the box office. After 2022’s sleeper hit Smile bowled over both critics and audiences alike with its massive $217 million box office payday, the pressure was well and truly on for director Parker Finn’s sequel.

Related 8 Clues To Smile 2's Twist

Smile 2 follows pop star Skye Riley as she takes on the Entity, the story coming with a wild twist ending that is hinted at throughout the movie.

Fortunately, by Smile 2’s ending, any fears of the franchise falling off had been thoroughly eradicated. Picking up almost immediately after where Smile left off,...

Just when Smile 2 couldn't get any more unhinged, writer-director Parker Finn had one last trick up his sleeve, but the twist sets up an unrealistic expectation for the inevitable Smile 3. While audiences likely expected pop superstar Skye Riley to suffer the same fate as Smile's Rose Cotter, her final moments in Smile 2's story took the franchise in a mind-bending new direction that potentially creates a few problems for Smile 3.

The film's climactic sequence revealed that Skye's desperate meeting with an ER nurse named Morris at an abandoned Pizza Hut - where he claimed he could end the entity's week-long cycle of torture by briefly stopping her heart - was actually a hallucination conjured by the Smile entity itself. In reality, Skye was performing at Madison Square Garden, surrounded by thousands of fans who witnessed her brutal end as she succumbed to the creature's influence and bashed...

Paramount is hoping to make you smile wide this holiday season, announcing today that Parker Finn’s Smile 2 will begin streaming exclusively on Paramount+ this week.

Smile 2 makes its streaming debut on Paramount+ on Tuesday, December 3.

The hit horror sequel is currently available for rental/purchase on Digital outlets and will arrive on 4K Ultra HD, in a 4K Ultra HD SteelBook, and DVD on January 21, 2025.

In Smile 2, “About to embark on a new world tour, global pop sensation Skye Riley (Naomi Scott) begins experiencing increasingly terrifying and inexplicable events.

“Overwhelmed by the escalating horrors and the pressures of fame, Skye is forced to face her dark past to regain control of her life before it spirals out of control.”

The cast for Smile 2 also includes Kyle Gallner (Smile), Rosemarie DeWitt (“The Staircase”), Lukas Gage (“The White Lotus”), and Dylan Gelula (Dream Scenario), alongside Raúl Castillo...

Looking for your next movie night pick? Vudu has you covered with a mix of holiday classics, animated adventures, and action-packed blockbusters. Here’s a breakdown of the top 10 trending movies on Vudu right now to watch and why you should add them to your watchlist.

1. The Grinch (2018)

The Grinch (2018) is a fun, fresh take on the classic holiday story. Benedict Cumberbatch voices the Grinch, giving him just the right mix of grumpiness and charm. What sets this version apart? It digs a little deeper into why the Grinch is so miserable, making his change of heart feel even sweeter. Plus, the animation is gorgeous, and Danny Elfman’s music totally adds to the holiday vibes. Perfect for a cozy family movie night!

2. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) Taylor Momsen, Jim Carrey

How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) is the one to watch if you’re craving some serious holiday nostalgia.

In Smile 2, Skye Riley is a pop star who is being hunted by the Entity, and one element of Skye's past that the monster pulls on is the traumatic car accident she was in the year before. Released earlier in 2024, Smile 2 is the sequel to the 2022 horror hit, Smile. Both movies center on a horrifying creature called the Entity, which messes with its victims' sanity by creating hallucinations of people smiling, until eventually, the victim takes their own life. The end of Smile 2 shows Skye's devastating fate, but not before revealing her dark past.

Throughout Smile 2, it is clear that Skye is already quite unstable, even without the Smile Entity. From the beginning, audiences learn that she is recovering from a drug and alcohol addiction, and though she is sober, Skye's injuries from her car accident make it so she needs painkillers to be functional. On top of that,...

Smile 2 might follow a slightly different story than the original film, and its roster of characters is almost entirely new, but there are still many connections to the first installment in this terrifying horror sequel, including Joel. The film centers around a celebrity singer named Skye Riley who bears witness to her friends violent death, causing a supernatural demon to latch onto her and haunt her with frightening visions of her deepest traumas. Smile 2 is filled with scary scenes that push this story forward while paying homage to the entry that came before it.

The most obvious connection between Smile 2 and its predecessor is the inclusion of Kyle Gallners character Joel, who played a large role in the first movie and indirectly passed the curse to Skye Riley in the sequel. At the end of 2022s Smile, Sosie Bacons protagonist, Rose, fails to defeat the supernatural creature...

Lionsgate is here to give you a shot in the arm with the latest trailer for its highly-anticipated action-thriller Den of Thieves 2: Pantera. Directed and written by Christian Gudegast, the Den of Thieves 2: Pantera trailer presents a balls-to-the-wall diamond heist in Europe, with ‘Big Nick’ O’Brien (Gerard Butler) and Donnie Wilson (O’Shea Jackson Jr.) burying the hatchet for a bullet-chewing-caper that could set them up for life.

Here’s the official synopsis for Den of Thieves 2: Pantera:

In Den of Thieves 2: Pantera, Big Nick is back on the hunt on the mean streets of Europe, closing in on Donnie, who is embroiled in the dangerous world of diamond thieves and the infamous Panther mafia, as they plot a massive heist of the world’s biggest diamond exchange.

Jordan Bridges, Swen Temmel, Evin Ahmad, Yaen Zates Atour, Salvatore Esposito, Orli Shuka, and Rico Verhoeven star alongside Butler and Jackson Jr.

In Smile 2, about to embark on a new world tour, global pop sensation Skye Riley (Naomi Scott) begins experiencing increasingly terrifying and inexplicable events. Overwhelmed by the escalating horrors and the pressures of fame, Skye is forced to face her dark past to regain control of her life before it spirals out of control.

We can't recommend the sequel highly enough, particularly as it ups the ante and delivers some of the best scares we've seen on screen this year. At the helm is Smile franchise creator Parker Finn who returns to write and direct.

Last week, we got to sit down with the filmmaker for a discussion about his approach to this movie. As well as breaking down how he directs the "Smile," Finn also explains the Entity's evolution and the immense amount of work that went into creating its new and improved design.

Finn also talks us...

A deleted scene from Smile 2 centers on Skye (Naomi Scott) and her mother and manager, Elizabeth (Rosemarie DeWitt), and though it might seem unimportant, this scene makes their story even more tragic. 2024 has been a big year for horror, with a variety of horror movies that have won over critics and general audiences. Among them is Smile 2, the sequel to Parker Finns 2022 horror hit Smile, which continues the path of the Smile Entity as it finds a new host in global pop star Skye Riley, whos preparing for a new tour.

As the Smile Entity feeds on trauma, it finds its perfect host in Skye, as shes still struggling with a traumatic car accident, the death of her boyfriend, and years of substance-use disorder. The Smile Entity slowly begins to take over Skyes mind, manifesting pretty much anywhere and at any time, causing her vivid hallucinations that lead...

Warning: Contains Spoilers for Smile 2!

Smile 2 features a lot of narrative beats, and while the film is mostly tight, it never resolved a major storyline that even Skye Riley had a question about. The various twists and turns of Smile 2 cause viewers to constantly reassess what they're being told, with the effects of the Smile Curse causing Skye Riley to be an unreliable narrator. However, one storyline is left completely unanswered by the end of Smile 2, with none of the twists or turns addressing this issue.

Smile 2 continues the story of the original Smile in an all-new way, with the film focusing on a new character named Skye Riley. After having gotten the Smile Curse from a drug dealer, Skye has to deal with the horrific events that haunt her while still balancing her career as a world-famous pop star. Despite constantly getting caught up in violence,...

In Smile 2, about to embark on a new world tour, global pop sensation Skye Riley (Naomi Scott) begins experiencing increasingly terrifying and inexplicable events. Overwhelmed by the escalating horrors and the pressures of fame, Skye is forced to face her dark past to regain control of her life before it spirals out of control.

The sequel is a must-see and among 2024's best horror movie offerings; now, ahead of its release on Digital on November 19 from Paramount Home Entertainment, we sat down for a spoiler-filled conversation with star Rosemarie DeWitt.

In our interview, The Boys and La La Land star talks us through her character Elizabeth Riley's gruesome, bloody death scene, what it was like working with Scott, seeing the Entity come to life with practical effects, and whether she could return for the widely-demanded Smile 3.

DeWitt also explains the process of creating the horror franchise's famous "smile,...

Writer/director Parker Finn’s sequel to his 2022 horror film Smile (read our review Here, watch the movie Here) reached theatres last month, with JoBlo’s own Chris Bumbray praising the film as “one of the year’s best horror movies” in his 9/10 review. The movie has been doing well at the box office, pulling in about $132 million worldwide so far, and now we know when Smile 2 is going to be available to watch in the comfort of our own homes: Paramount is giving the film a digital release tomorrow, November 19th!

Smile was based on Finn’s short film Laura Hasn’t Slept (watch it Here), which won the Special Jury Recognition Prize in SXSW’s Midnight Short category. Caitlin Stasey (Neighbours) played the title character in that short, and reprises the role in Smile, making it a follow-up of sorts. Smile has the following synopsis: After witnessing a bizarre,...

After scaring up $131 million at the worldwide box office, Parker Finn’s Smile 2 is headed home to Digital outlets this week, Paramount has officially announced this morning.

Watch Smile 2 at home beginning Tuesday, November 19!

Smile 2 will also be available on Digital as part of a two-movie collection with Smile and will arrive on 4K Ultra HD, in a 4K Ultra HD SteelBook, and DVD on January 21, 2025.

Fans who purchase the film on Digital or 4K Ultra HD will have access to over 40 minutes of heart-pounding bonus content. The full Special Features package includes…

Commentary by Director Parker Finn—Take a peek behind the smile with commentary from writer/director Parker Finn as he goes through the gory details of this terrifying sequel. Ear To Ear—Cast and filmmakers dive deep into the Smile universe and discuss how they brought the director’s vision to life. The Rise...

Smile 2 brought Paramount's popular horror franchise back to the big screen, and it proved to be another instant hit for the studio. The original Smile follows Dr. Rose Cotter, who has seven days to figure out how to successfully evade death from a demon after witnessing her patients demise. Originally slated for a straight-to-streaming release on Paramount+, Smile performed so well with test audiences that it was granted a theatrical release. Due to its unique marketing strategy and success at the box office, the sequel was a no-brainer.

Since the entity in Smile can take any form, the sequel follows a brand-new protagonist as she too tries to escape from the curse. Upping the ante since last time, Smile 2 concerns a pop star who is the next target of the demon, and must balance her tremendous fame with the encroaching evil. Though a sequel seemed inevitable after...

Smile 2 ended with Skye Riley being possessed by the Smile Entity, who killed her in front of a stadium full of spectators and spreading the curse to all of them. The shocking ending to Smile 2 implies that thousands of more people will die from Skye's curse at the same time, creating a superspreader event of apocalyptic proportions. The ominous implications from this event raise a lot of questions about what could come next for the characters and its world.

Considering the disastrous ramifications of Smile 2's ending, it's unclear how or even if the franchise will continue after Smile 2. However, based on how the first film ended and how the sequel began, Smile 2 writer and director Parker Finn already has two possible victims to follow in a possible third installment. What happened in the second movie set the stage for this very scenario.

Skye Riley's...

If you’re eager to watch the scares of Smile 2, you’ll need to head to your nearest cinema to experience it. As of now, Smile 2 is exclusively available in theaters and isn’t streaming on any platform. Paramount Pictures has given the movie a wide release, so you can easily book your tickets on Fandango to catch it on the big screen.

In Smile 2, Naomi Scott stars as Skye Riley, a global pop sensation on the verge of a major tour. However, her life takes a terrifying turn as strange, unexplainable events begin to unfold around her. The film combines elements of psychological horror and supernatural thriller, with Skye being forced to confront buried traumas from her past if she hopes to escape the haunting spiral of fear that threatens to consume her.

Can I Stream Smile 2 on Netflix, Prime Video, or Paramount+?

At this time,...

Warning: This article contains Spoilers for Smile 2

Although Smile 2s twist ending is ingenious, it also sets up a major problem for Smile 3. Smile 2 manages to take director Parker Finns sleeper hit from 2022 and expand on the twisty psychological horror in numerous ways. While Smile focused on a mental health professional who was cursed after witnessing the death of her patient, Smile 2 centers on Naomi Scotts glamorous pop star Skye Riley as she struggles against the franchises demonic villain. Smile 2s Skye is based on real-life musicians, but her eventual fate is fortunately not one shared by any entertainment industry stars.

Related Smile 2 Ending Explained: What The Big Twist Means

Smile 2's ending heightens the dark themes of the first film on a truly massive scale, potentially setting up an absolutely horrifying sequel.

In Smile 2s ending, Skype realizes that she has been trapped in...

Smile 2 hits another global box office milestone after just three weeks in theaters. The original 2022 horror movie was a major hit, reaching $217 million against a meager $17 million budget. This led to the immediate greenlight for a sequel, which stars Naomi Scott as the pop star Skye Riley, who becomes infected with the Smile Curse. The 2024 sequel has a larger budget of $28 million but has responded well commercially since its opening debut in October.

Per Collider, Smile 2 is now crossing the $110 million benchmark, which is nearly quadruple its price tag. The worldwide box office is combined with $53 million domestic and $57 million international earnings, making it the fourth highest-grossing horror film of 2024, sitting behind A Quiet Place: Day One, which concluded with $261 million. Domestically, Smile 2 is just outside the top 25 highest-grossing movies of the year, with $13 million needed to reach The Beekeeper's record. The horror sequel is only...

Warning: Contains Spoilers for Smile 2!

The ending of Smile 2 features a wild Skye Riley twist, and while it is exciting, it makes a potential Smile 3 so much more difficult to pull off. After the success of Smile and Smile 2, a third movie in the Smile franchise seems inevitable, with it having the potential to follow up on the explosive ending of the sequel. However, Smile 2 creates a hurdle that is nearly impossible for Smile 3 to clear, with the third movie being forced to take a wildly different route if it wants to escape this problem.

Despite being a sequel to the original Smile, Smile 2 focuses on an entirely different cast of characters, with Joel being the only returning main character from the original film. This sets the Smile franchise up to be more of an anthology, following different characters as they become infected with the Smile Curse.

Smile 2 made Skye Riley the star of the show, replacing Rose Cotter as the franchise's lead, but it should've been Joel. The ending of Smile directly leads into the events of Smile 2, as the sequel shows Joel haunted by the Smile Curse six days after watching Rose burn to death in front of his eyes. However, Joel dies in Smile 2, allowing the curse to pass to Lewis so it could eventually find Skye Riley as its next victim. This decision made Naomi Scott's character the main character of the sequel, following in the footsteps of Sophie Bacon.

Having Skye Riley replace Rose in Smile 2 proved to be a move that worked well for Parker Finn's sequel. Scott delivered a great performance in the lead role, and the traumatic and surprising story that unfolded for Skye was thrilling. And since Skye is a pop star,...

Writer/director Parker Finn’s sequel to his 2022 horror film Smile (read our review Here, watch the movie Here) reached theatres last month, with JoBlo’s own Chris Bumbray praising the film as “one of the year’s best horror movies” in his 9/10 review. The movie has been doing well at the box office, pulling in $110 million worldwide so far, and now Paramount has decided to pull a new marketing stunt: as reported by Deadline, Paramount will let you watch the first 7 minutes of Smile 2 on this website – but to do so, you’ll have to smile into your webcam for the duration. As Deadline notes, “anywhere between a light smile to a full-out Cheshire Cat leer” will do. “If you’re thinking that you can somehow outsmart the tech, think again: The webpage, which flashes your image green upon smiling, expeditiously changes to flash a red outline at the drop of the smile.

Warning: Contains Spoilers for Smile 2!

Despite appearing in Smile 2, Kyle Gallner's Joel wasn't the main character as many had expected, and here's why. Joel was the only returning main character from the first Smile movie, and due to Kyle Gallner's star power and role at the end of the original Smile, it was expected that he would be the protagonist of the sequel. However, Smile 2 instead decided to entirely shift away from the cast of the first Smile and focus on an all-new protagonist named Skye Riley, with many wondering why Joel didn't have a more significant role in the 2024 film.

Kyle Gallner's character appears in the opening scene of Smile 2, with him still having the Smile Curse six days after the end of Smile. In an attempt to get rid of it, he tries to kill one drug dealer in front of the other,...

For those looking to relive or hear about them for the first time, The Direct has a full breakdown of the horrors of Smile 2.

The Smile franchise has again taken the world by storm with a 2024 sequel that explores the decline and demonic possession of pop star Skye Riley.

The horror franchise's 2022 debut ended as the main protagonist, Rose Cotter, succumbed to the Smile curse and killed herself in a swarm of flames.

Read full article on The Direct.

Smile 2 Box Office (Worldwide): Crosses A Major Milestone (Photo Credit – Instagram)

Naomi Scott, the sensational pop star in Smile 2, is in no mood to stop minting numbers at the box office. It has finally crossed the first major milestone worldwide. The film is up against several other equally appreciative films, and its biggest competitor is Terrier 3, which is also in the horror genre. Scroll below for the deets.

The movie sees the return of Officer Joel, who was cursed by the Smile entity in the previous film. It has been portrayed by Kyle Gallner. Scott’s portrayal of the pop star Skye Riley has been widely appreciated, and there have been several posts about her being one of the most accurate fictional pop stars.

According to Luiz Fernando’s report, Smile 2 collected a solid $8.7 million on its third weekend at the overseas box office. It only dipped 30.4% from last weekend.

Smile 2 sees the Smile entity going to new lengths to terrorize its host, so much so that the line between whats real and what isnt no longer exists. Following the surprising success of Parker Finns Smile in 2022, a sequel, simply titled Smile 2, arrived in 2024. Also directed by Finn, Smile 2 is set six days after the ending of Smile, and continues to follow the path of the Smile entity as it claims more lives and is passed onto new hosts, among them pop star Skye Riley (Naomi Scott).

Skye is preparing for a new world tour after recovering from a car accident that killed her boyfriend, actor Paul Hudson (Ray Nicholson), and from substance-use disorder. However, the Smile curse is passed onto her after she witnesses the suicide of her drug dealer, the host of the Smile entity. What follows is Skye being haunted by the Smile entity...

Temple Hill Entertainment, the producers behind box office horror hits Smile and Smile 2, are aiming for repeat success with Monitor, a screenlife horror movie based on a short film of the same name per Deadline.

Monitor marks the feature debut of writers/directors Ryan Polly and Matt Black (“I Bet You’re Wondering How I Got Here”), who adapt their short film of the same name.

In the film, “when a group of social media moderators refuse to publish a horrifying video, a demonic creature starts following them across every screen in their lives. Feeding off fear, the creature hunts them down one by one and attacks them until it gets what it wants… to be let out beyond the screen.”

Protagonist Pictures’ CEO, Dave Bishop, told Deadline, “Monitor is a horror as terrifying as it is timely, with its contemporary take on the frightening online world we’re all forced to navigate.

Warning: Spoilers for Smile 2 and Trap

Smile 2 and Trap have a weird thing in common. M. Night Shyamalan directed Trap, his latest psychological thriller starring Josh Hartnett, which was theatrically released on August 2, 2024. Trap's $82-million box office tally is comparable to Smile 2's, which was directed by Parker Finn and released on October 18, 2024. A hit 2024 horror flick still raking it in at the box office, Smile 2 is a breakout role for Naomi Scott as a pop star haunted by the Smile entity.

Both Smile 2 and Trap center on pop stars performing a fateful concert. In Smile 2, Naomi Scott's Skye Riley is recovering from a car accident that killed her boyfriend, and her attempt at a comeback is literally cursed by the Smile entity, leading to her psychological breakdown. Trap co-stars M. Night Shyamalan's daughter, Saleka Night Shyamalan, who plays Lady Raven, a pop...

Warning: Smile 2 spoilers and descriptions of body horror.

The Smile Curse strikes again in Smile 2, the sequel to 2022's smash hit that goes above and beyond its predecessor. Written and directed by Parker Finn, the new movie opts not to follow Smile's last survivor, instead opening with the scene where he attempts to rid himself of the curse and accidentally passes it onto Lewis Fregoli (Lukas Gage), a bystander who in turn embroils his childhood friend Skye Riley (Naomi Scott) in the curse. Skye's story propels much of Smile 2's narrative, serving as Scott's most successful project since her breakout hit Aladdin, but Gage's Lewis remains one of the most memorable characters in the movie.

Before his grotesque smile was plastered all over billboards, Gage had already racked up a loyal fan following thanks to his roles in high-profile television series such as Euphoria, The White Lotus,...

Parker Finn’s Smile 2 is now playing in theaters for Halloween, and Paramount has come up with a really unique way to allow you to watch the film’s first 7 minutes online… for free!

An official Smile 2 website has been launched this morning, Bloody Disgusting has exclusively learned, with a clip on the front page featuring that opening sequence… but there’s a catch…

The website asks users to turn on their camera and smile in-order for the video to play. It’s responsive so if you aren’t smiling, the video will stop! Can you smile through the scares?

Watch the first 7 minutes of Smile 2 right now… but only if you Smile!

In Smile 2, “About to embark on a new world tour, global pop sensation Skye Riley (Naomi Scott) begins experiencing increasingly terrifying and inexplicable events.

“Overwhelmed by the escalating horrors and the pressures of fame,...

Smile 2 saw the Smile entity going to new extremes to terrorize its new host, Skye Riley (Naomi Scott), and her constant drinking of Voss water hides a dark reality thanks to the entity. Park Finns psychological supernatural horror movie Smile was a surprise hit in 2022, so its not surprising that a sequel was greenlit the following year. Simply titled Smile 2 and with Finn back as director and writer, the sequel continues the streak of deaths by the Smile entity, which has become more horrifying and chaotic in how it haunts its hosts and feeds from their trauma.

Skye is a famous pop star recovering from a traumatic car crash that killed her boyfriend, actor Paul Hudson (Ray Nicholson), and from substance-use disorder. Skye becomes the new host of the Smile entity after witnessing her drug dealer killing himself while possessed by the entity. Skye begins to have very...

Smile 2: Unmasking the Real-Life Singer Who Inspired Skye Riley’s Character! ( Photo Credit – YouTube )

Smile 2 dives back into the eerie world where unsettling grins hold dark secrets. The sequel to Smile picks up with new characters haunted by the sinister, cursed Smile that seems to linger like a bad omen. The main character of Smile 2, Skye Riley, has drawn inspiration from several real-life singers.

The movie continues targeting Riley, a booming yet tormented musician played by Noami Scott. She is haunted by guilt over a tragic car crash that killed her boyfriend and battling chronic back pain. Due to her history of substance misuse, Skye struggles to find effective pain relief and seeks help from an old high school friend for Vicodin. Tragically, he becomes another victim of the haunting Smile curse and takes his own life right before her eyes, marking Skye as the demon’s next prey.

Warning: Contains Spoilers for Smile 2!Smile 2 features a blink-and-you'll-miss-it cameo of Rose Cotter, Sosie Bacon's character from the first movie, and it changes the original film's ending in the process. Due to the nature of the Smile Curse and its rules, the Smile sequel turned its focus onto an entirely new character rather than make Joel the main character. Through a chain of events that occur in the days after Smile's ending, Skye Riley becomes the curse's latest target, and Naomi Scott's pop star character's story is largely disconnected from the franchise's original protagonist.

While the majority of Smile 2 has next to nothing to do with the original movie and its characters, the first sequence is the complete opposite. The sequel begins by showing the days after Joel got the curse and his attempts to pass it off to criminals so he could live.

We live in an era where film studios are scared to produce original content due to perceived risk. With marketing budgets ballooning, and with new content being thrown at viewers at a rampant pace, cutting through the noise has never been more important. So the question is always: what horror movie will be franchised next? And the easy answer tends to be the latest horror success. Terrifier (despite what its creator claims) will surely go on for many more entries as it’s hard to cut off that supply of money while the fans demand it. But what other newer series could become a franchise? All signs point to Parker Finn’s Smile.

And I suppose the argument could be made that Paramount already made the decision to franchise Smile after the first. We did get a second entry after all. But as someone from a bygone era, I’m...

As its sequel continues to score big with critics and at the box office, Smile is garnering a glowing review from VFX artists for its fiery finale. The 2022 horror movie revolved around Sosie Bacon's Rose, a therapist plagued by disturbing visions after the suicide of a patient leads to a curse passed on to her. Having determined the entity feeds on trauma, the Smile ending saw Rose return to her childhood home in order to die alone and not pass the curse on, during which she has a physical confrontation with The Smiler.

During the latest episode of Corridor Crew's VFX Artists React series, the group took a look back at Smile's ending fight between Rose and The Smiler. The group noted, in particular, that the background fire was filmed practically, which elevated the CG work. The scene left the artists particularly impressed with how seamless the digital and real flames were blended.

Warning: This article contains Spoilers for Smile 2

Although Smile 2 features plenty of choice scares, the horror sequel is missing the 2022 originals scariest sight. In many respects, director Parker Finns sequel Smile 2 is an improvement on his 2022 sleeper hit Smile. The sequel is more ambitious, centering on Naomi Scotts traumatized pop star Skye Riley instead of Sosie Bacons troubled psychologist. Where Smile operated at a lower register and saved its biggest shocks until its final act, Smile 2 starts big and only gets bigger. Smile 2s opening death kills off Joel in a sequence that combines crime thriller and supernatural horror perfectly.

Related What Singer Is Smile 2s Skye Riley Based On?

Smile 2's singer heroine Skye Riley might be fictional, but it is not impossible to work out who the musician sounds like and who she may be based on.

From thereon out, the death of...

A Breed Apart, which is an “unconventional reimagining” of the 2006 Wes Craven-produced film The Breed, isn’t the only killer dog movie coming our way in the immediate future. Deadline reports that we’re also getting a survival thriller called Killing Breed from actor turned writer/director Matt Day, and Caitlin Stasey (Smile) and Damon Herriman (The Bikeriders) have signed on to star in it. Production is scheduled to begin in Australia in May 2025. The project was developed with the financial assistance of the South Australian Film Corporation and Architect is handling worldwide sales.

Killing Breed will pit a family, desperately fighting for survival at an isolated Outback lodge, against a raging bushfire, out of control and consuming everything in its path, and three savage dogs, trained to kill and now unleashed into the wild. Day said, “Killing Breed is a character-driven survival thriller grounded in raw, authentic emotion,...