Mark Kermode reviews Smile 2 - Kermode and Mayo's Take

#MarkKermode #SimonMayo #FilmReviews

About to embark on a world tour, global pop sensation Skye Riley begins experiencing increasingly terrifying and inexplicable events. Overwhelmed by the escalating horrors and the pressures of fame, Skye is forced to face her past.

[redisthecoolestcolour]

Mark's decade's long dedication to advocating for horror as a valid genre is wonderful. He's a great advocate for the genre and I'm so thankful he's one of the bastions of horror.

[frederichiebler]

I agree she needs some recognition for her performance. It's a rollercoaster of emotions and physical performances, she is full throttle and absolutely fantastic.

[steve-onkl]

Her portrayal of someone that has already dealt with serious past mental issues that is now entering complete madness is incredible. She really deserves an award. I didn't know what to expect with this film and certainly wasn't expecting it to be better than the first one but it is an elevation to some extent. Amazing all round!

[kipperrepublic]

I've just seen Smile 2 and I must say it was one of the best horrors I've seen in a long time. Naomi Scott's performance was outstanding. Would love to see her nominated for an award.

[robertmurtagh]

Mayo's gone through some significant changes.

[LiamDalley-jdkc]

I got to see Smile 2 as part of a double bill with Smile (which I never saw before) I really enjoyed Smile 2 more than the original, Naomi Scott’s performance is amazing, the songs (from someone who doesn’t listen to modern pop) are good and the effects are surprisingly mind blowing

[GuineaPigEveryday]

I never saw the original, had very low expectations going into this film, i didnt find the smile thing that interesting, but man the film blew me away, Naomi Scott is a tour-de-force here and some of the direction/visuals were really creative and horrifying in a new way. Reminded me of Talk To Me in the best of ways. Hope Naomi gets more big roles like this

[gracenote]

It's great to hear such a glowing review. I only got round to seeing the original this weekend. I love watching horror films and I'm always hoping to be scared. It very, very rarely happens. I'll jump at the jump scares but that's it. Watching Smile this weekend I was saying, "No, no, no, no." at the screen, out loud and all alone toward the end. It was superb and I knew there was going to be a sequel but not that it was already out. That's next week's cinema sorted out!

[Phil--Moss]

Was the Voss water product placement a plot device?? It was in almost every scene in every and any location, logo facing the audience, even after a bottle smashes to the floor 'VOSS' on the largest unbroken shard 😂 until she finally turns down a water and asks for a soda when her character snaps towards the end? I couldn't tell if it was an in joke or just really heavy handed product placement

[robertdawson]

I was absolutely blown away by the original Smile and I, m kinda hard to impress.
I went to see Smile 2 on Saturday. I was expecting a fairly good sequel as the original is as said a great film.
Boy oh boy am I impressed.
Smile 2 really pushes the boundaries.
Possibly only the Terrifier films and theEvil Dead films old and new pack in as much gore.
Peter Jacksons Braindead sets the benchmark for grossout humour with bucket loads of gore and fun but Smile and Smile 2 take it very seriously.
Not just made for shock value but real quality in plot, production, tension and grit.
Personally the best horror to be released in cinemas in a long time.
It even eclipses Evil Dead Rise and that film is absolutely stunning.

[AlabamaWyatt]

The 2019 Oscar Best Actress Nominees:

Glenn Close: The Wife
Lady Gaga: A Star is Born
Melissa MaCarthy: Can You Ever Forgive Me?
Olivia Colman: The Favourite
Yalitza Aparicio: Roma

Does anyone remember any of those movies? Where was Toni Collette for Hereditary? Not even nominated. The greatest horror performance in history. Male or Female. Yes, even better than Linda Blair or Ellen Burstyn in The Exorcist. I love that movie as well, so I am not knocking it down. I am agreeing with Mark. Horror is dismissed by Oscar voters. Shame.

[ninethreefivesix]

I was completely surprised by how much I liked this movie. I didn't think it was very scary, but it was well done. There was thought behind this and it was executed well. And Naomi Scott came out of nowhere and gave one of the best performances of the year imo.

[reggie]

First one was great. One of the best horrors I've seen in the past 5 years or so apart from maybe talk to me. Second didn't disappoint and I saw it as a double bill. Ending was great and sets up a very eventful third film. Will probably see it again soon.

[BruceBanner-egvs]

Good that you are commending a central performance in a horror movie - Naomi Scott. Would also add to that the performance of David Dastmalchian in Late Night with the Devil. Another excellent performance. I, also, am a fan of horror movies and The Exorcist was a really scary movie for me, being Catholic.

[dominicturner]

Ive seen hundreds of horror movies but im too scared to watch this! Its the smiling scenes. It really terrifies me.

[timsenesi]

I don’t think it’s anywhere near as scary as the first as it was mostly retreading familiar territory, but like the first it was so well made, and for me is absolutely still in the upper echelons of popcorn horror.

[Neil]

I’m not a huge fan of the first movie, but I saw this yesterday and I really enjoyed it, I think Naomi Scott was fantastic! I was gripped from beginning to end!!

[Pazuzu]

i thought it was like an extended episode of AHS or Black Mirror. Just like Mark I despair at modern horror

[matayolandas]

The Substance: “My ending is gross and delirious”
Smile 2: “Hold my beer”

[adamwaters]

I totally agree, I feel like Naomi Scott should be nominated for Best Actress at the Oscars this year she is so good in this movie. One of the best performances of the year.