Get ready to put on a happy face once again. The highly anticipated sequel to the horror hit Smile has unveiled its first trailer at this year’s CinemaCon, and it promises to be even more terrifying than its predecessor. Naomi Scott, known for her role in Aladdin, takes center stage in Smile 2, playing a pop star who finds herself entangled in a nightmarish curse.
According to Slash Film, the exclusive footage shown at CinemaCon reveals Scott’s character being confronted by a sinister man, portrayed by Lukas Gage, who breaks into her dressing room and flashes a chilling smile. The unsettling grins don’t stop there. A fan with braces also smiles eerily at Scott’s character, adding to the film’s creepy atmosphere. The sequel is described as looking “flashier” than the original, promising a visually stunning yet horrifying experience.
The original Smile, released in 2022, left audiences horrified with its tale of a smile-spreading demon that drove people to suicide. The film concluded with Joel, played by Kyle Gallner, inheriting the curse from the lead character Rose, portrayed by Sosie Bacon. Joel’s return in the sequel suggests that the terrifying chain of events is far from over.
Interestingly, Smile 2 isn’t the only horror film set against the backdrop of a pop concert. M. Night Shyamalan’s upcoming movie Trap features Josh Hartnett attending a concert with his daughter, only to discover that the police are hunting a serial killer. The twist? Hartnett’s character is the killer, leading to a suspenseful and bloody thriller.
Smile 2, which also stars Rosemarie DeWitt, Raúl Castillo, and Dylan Gelula, is set to hit theaters on October 18, 2024. The new footage from CinemaCon has already generated buzz, with fans eagerly awaiting the film’s release.
The trailer shown at CinemaCon reveals Naomi Scott’s character as a pop star who becomes the latest victim of the curse. Lukas Gage’s character appears in a dark hallway, passing the curse onto Scott’s character. The curse then spreads among her fans, who swarm her with horrifying smiles. The trailer ends with a young girl approaching Scott’s character, smiling freakishly, hinting at the relentless nature of the curse.
The first Smile film was a global hit, thanks in part to its unique marketing campaign, which saw people flashing the film’s signature creepy grin at MLB games. The film grossed $217.4 million worldwide on a modest $17 million budget, making it a financial success. The positive reviews, with a 79% score on Rotten Tomatoes, further cemented its status as a standout horror film.
Director Parker Finn, who helmed the original Smile, has been recognized as an emerging voice in horror. Paramount’s confidence in Finn is evident, as they have signed him on to develop additional horror projects. The expanded scope of Smile 2, as hinted at in the CinemaCon footage, suggests that the sequel could surpass the original in both scares and storytelling.
As the release date for Smile 2 approaches, more details are expected to emerge, keeping fans on the edge of their seats. The film’s unique blend of horror and pop stardom promises to deliver a fresh and terrifying experience.
Smile 2 is set to continue the legacy of its predecessor, with Naomi Scott and Lukas Gage leading the charge in this chilling tale of a deadly curse. Mark your calendars for October 18, 2024, and prepare to face the terror once again.
