After the horror movie “Smile” made a huge splash at the box office in 2022, a sequel was proudly announced in March last year. This time, Naomi Scott stars as Skye Riley, a global star on a world tour who begins experiencing increasingly terrifying and unexplainable events. Director Parker Finn returns to continue the chilling story he first introduced with his debut hit a couple of years ago.
“Smile 2” is set to hit cinemas starting this 17th October 2024, just in time to add more thrills to this year’s Halloween festivities. If our review wasn’t enough to convince you to go and watch it on the big screen, then these 5 fun facts probably will. Warning: This list may contain spoilers so proceed at your own risk.
1. Skye Riley social media accounts were created
As part of a unique marketing strategy to promote the upcoming movie release, social media accounts on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok were created under the name of the main character, Skye Riley. Since Naomi Scott’s character is a pop star in the movie, these cryptic accounts aim to promote her fictional music career. The accounts even feature posts about her latest single, “Blood On White Satin,” adding to the immersive experience of the film’s storyline.
2. Skye Riley was inspired by Lady Gaga
In a recent interview, Naomi Scott revealed that her character, Skye Riley, was heavily inspired by several pop stars, with Lady Gaga being the main influence, particularly elements of her early 2010s era. Naomi shared that her portrayal of Skye also drew from various performances by female artists she had observed over the years, helping her craft Skye’s persona as a dynamic and captivating artist.
3. Lukas Gage dry-heaved on set during filming
Lukas Gage, who plays Lewis, shared a memorable experience from the set, revealing that he nearly vomited during the filming of a particularly gory scene. The actor was caught off guard by how intense the day’s shoot was, almost to the point of puking, leaving the crew surprised. While Lukas admits to having a weak stomach, this moment hints that the sequel might be even more terrifying than expected.
4. Drew Barrymore makes a cameo appearance
Fans were pleasantly surprised to spot Drew Barrymore making a cameo in the “Smile 2” trailer. She appears as herself, hosting “The Drew Barrymore Show,” where Skye Riley is being interviewed. Although Drew had a small voiceover role in 2022’s “Scream,” this marks her first physical appearance in a horror film since her iconic role in 1996’s “Scream” movie. Her return to the genre has generated excitement among horror enthusiasts.
5. Ray Nicholson’s poster pays homage to “The Shining”
While Jack Nicholson’s days of haunting audiences in “The Shining” may be over, his son, Ray Nicholson, is here to terrify a new generation with his chilling smile. The poster design is a direct homage to the 1980 horror movie, featuring a spliced image of Ray mimicking his father’s iconic Kubrick stare that sent shivers down viewers’ spines back in the day. The actor’s elongated grin, set against a gritty black-and-white colour palette with eerie splashes of red, adds an unsettling modern twist to this tribute.
Watch the final trailer here:
Sources: HollywoodReporter, BloodyDisgusting, YouTube
Alia contributed to this article.
