10 Recent Movies That Totally Took You By Surprise
9. Smile 2
Horror is as challenging a genre to execute as any other. So, when they succeed, there is immediate demand for more, and that's where many IPs inevitably crash and burn. However, that is not always the case, as Parker Finn's Smile franchise flipped that theory on its head.
For Smile 2 to have worked, it needed to be twice as good and twice as terrifying, and it delivered on both fronts with flying colours.
The concept of the smile curse following a global yet infamous pop star, Naomi Scott's Skye Riley, is a genius creative ploy from Finn, as the curse has now naturally and narratively expanded from a minor to a major scale which, you guessed it, comes with disastrous consequences for both Riley and her devoted fanbase.
There's a great cast here, including the likes of Rosemarie DeWitt, Lukas Gage, Ray Nicholson, and a return for Kyle Gallner's Joel. Rather fittingly, though, Scott steals the spotlight in Smile 2 in what is undoubtedly her magnum opus moment.
She sings, dances, and conveys every single emotion you could possibly think of when cursed with, and subsequently possessed by, a sadistic and sinister entity that is intent on destroying you and everyone you love. Yep, there aren't many laughs in this one.
Make no mistake, Smile 2 is a top-notch horror sequel that brings blood, guts and gore to the table in ways you wouldn't even want to imagine. Bring on the third film!