Smile 2

The special effects are bracingly revolting, the malevolent smiles as creepy as ever. And the film has the added bonus of some killer choreography, in every sense of the word.

While I’m sure I’ll again be in the minority, for all of its obvious strengths, and just like its predecessor, Smile 2 made me angry, and that’s all there is to say.

This is the rare case of a horror sequel that is better than the original.

Finn supplies bigger, even more effective jump-scares than the last time, which will keep the popcorn flying. The sound design booms and rattles, the delusions are even more elaborate and the body horror is even bloodier and more disturbing.

It's got a nicely nasty thing on its tail... it's very entertaining, Friday night crowd-pleasing, give-you-the-shivers fare.

Smile 2 can't quite deliver on the promise of its premise, ultimately relying on the same trick of the original—but it's still a fittingly horrific final twist...

The film’s ending, a knockout, likens the modern media fame game to nothing less than ritual sacrifice.

Fun in the moment, but ultimately nothing too memorable.

A better film could have been made from this situation, had it not been part of the “Smile” franchise.

Parker Finn, who returns to write and direct, focuses entirely on destroying nerves with images destined to invade the brain and generate anxiety long after the film has concluded. [Full review in Spanish]