Spoiler-Free Review of “Smile 2” in Theaters: A Superior Sequel!

*This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!*

“Do you believe in like weird stuff?”

Smile 2 premiered in theaters on October 18th 2024. The supernatural psychological horror film stars Naomi Scott, Rosemarie DeWitt, Dylan Gelula, Peter Jacobson, and Kyle Gallner. It runs for two hours and seven minutes.

A pop star named Skye Riley is trying to make her upcoming tour a success after battling substance abuse and surviving a car accident, but when she witnesses a horrifying event that she can’t explain, she begins to lose control of her life and sanity.

Here is the trailer:

Smile 2 is a chilling, terrifying, and unhinged trip that will have you on the edge of your seat the entire time. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Paramount Pictures

Scream QUEEN, Naomi Scott!

Wow, she was absolutely fantastic in this! I didn’t think that anyone could top Willa Fitzgerald’s performance in Strange Darling, but Naomi Scott just gave the performance of her life and I loved EVERY SECOND OF IT! She was fierce, captivating, and willing to give this film her all. She just became one of my favorite scream queens of all time with that performance and I hope she appears in more horror films in the future.

Favorite performance of the year!

Seriously, I have chills.

Images courtesy of Paramount Pictures

So creepy and disturbing!

Similar to the vibe of the first film, the sequel had plenty of terrifying moments. It was fun seeing this in a packed theater. There were so many moments that had people jumping. This film descended into darkness a lot quicker than the original one, which was fantastic to experience. I loved the psychological elements and that ending was jaw-dropping in the best possible way!

OK and can we talk about that music?! I loved it!

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Paramount Pictures

A few unanswered questions.

This wasn’t a major con and I actually think it will create an interesting discussion among fans, but I had a little trouble piecing together what was actually happening in this film at times (which I think was the point). I was along for the ride and willing to go with it, but I had a few questions by the time I got to the end that were never fully addressed.

Maybe we’ll get a part three?

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Paramount Pictures

I’m in 100 percent!!!

Smile 2 is a frightening and trippy experience that will leave your heart pounding. Naomi Scott just gave the best performance of the year and I truly hope she’s recognized for it!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Smile 2 in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

DON’T TAKE THE JOB…

It was only supposed to be temporary…but when Olivia Crewe accepts a new position that seems too good to be true, she soon discovers that twelve other girls previously had the same job as her. Only none of them lasted for more than thirty days. No notice. Nothing…right before they mysteriously disappeared without a trace.

My supernatural thriller Girl Number Thirteen is out now! I hope you enjoy!

Girl Number Thirteen is available here!

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Ranking the top 5 moments from “Fear the Walking Dead” season 5 episode 12: “Don’t Lose Your People”

Happy Monday TV fans!  After watching AMC’s Fear the Walking Dead season 5 episode 12, I realized that you should never underestimate the power of faith.  Even if it may take a while to find it again, or at all, it’s important to hold on to it once you do.  Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch the latest episode yet.  

In last night’s episode, “Ner Tamid,” Charlie crosses paths with a rabbi in need of help.  Meanwhile, John and June make me think twice about balance beams, and Sarah and Dwight run into some trouble with Logan’s gang.  My top 5 moments from Fear the Walking Dead season 5 episode 12 are:

5

“Do you answer every question with a question?”

In this episode, we learn that Charlie got separated from the group, but apparently she actually ran away.  She crosses paths with Rabbi Jacob, who takes out some walkers surrounding her in a car and the two seem to hit it off right away.  Charlie starts to wonder if this is her true path or purpose and thinks that the synagogue may be the perfect new home for the group, but it is a little crowded right now with the walker congregation.

Rabbi Jacob Kessner, played by Peter Jacobson, is continuing to honor tradition as much as he can, but he also seems to be pretty skilled at taking out walkers so he could be an important addition to the group.  I’m looking forward to seeing what else he will bring to the table.

4

“We’re different.”

John and June get some screen time in this episode and we witness a bonding moment between June and Charlie.  June understands where Charlie is coming from and she knows what it is like to run away from everyone and everything, but she also reminds Charlie that they are both different now.  I think that June has really stepped in as a mother figure for Charlie and I thought this moment was really important for both of them.

They both have come so far and yet they still have that instinct to run sometimes.  Maybe that will never really go away, but I’m hoping they both realize that they can run toward something, rather than away from it, because they are an integral part of the group.

3

“They don’t do anything by accident.”

Sarah and Dwight bond over a cold one and it looks like this may be the start of a beautiful friendship.  Logan’s men break up the party; however, and the man Dwight let go puts his two cents in, but what is the real goal here?  Logan’s men leave when the tank shows up, but Dwight reminds Sarah that they don’t seem like the type to do anything by accident and it looks like he’s on to something.  Everything is apparently all clear so it looks this was just a diversion, as Logan has his eye on the prize.  But now that he does, what is his real end game here?

2

“We’re not gonna make it.”

John and June had me on the edge of my seat during this one after Rabbi Jacob’s walker congregation got out, using ladders to walk above them.  Somehow they both manage to scrape by, but end up trapped on top of one of the cars.  Charlie realizes that it’s time to give this place up, even though she is clearly already attached to it.  Rabbi Jacob and Charlie create a sound diversion to lure the walkers away, locking them inside, and all of our favorite characters manage to make it out of this one alive.

I understand where Charlie is coming from because she is tired of moving from place to place and is really trying to make some place a home, but I started thinking back to Madison’s own dream of making the stadium into a home and how devastating that was when that dream was shattered.  Will our group be able to settle down or are they better on the road?

1

“Don’t lose your people.”

Rabbi Jacob reveals to Charlie that he lost his faith a long time ago and thinks that he is alive because he left.  He reminds Charlie not to lose her own people, but I thought that this was an important and revealing moment for Rabbi Jacob.  They discuss the importance of finding one’s faith, even if it has been lost on more than one occasion, which had an uplifting and positive message.  Perhaps Charlie was meant to go there, simply to help Rabbi Jacob believe again.

We have met some interesting new characters this season and I would like to see more of them, but I’m also starting to wonder when something really big is going to happen.  I feel like we have been coasting by for a while and I want Logan to truly make a dent here, otherwise some of these story-lines may start to feel stale after a while.

What are YOUR theories on Logan and his plan?  Stay tuned!

I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to post your own theories and thoughts on Fear the Walking Dead in the comments section below.  Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

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**Do you love television shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Once Upon a Time, Lost, Charmed, The Vampire Diaries, and Supernatural?  Do you enjoy dark fantasy, fairy-tale retellings, paranormal romance, horror, and mystery?  Then you may like my book series, Dreaming of Wonderland…available on Amazon!  Thank you for taking the time to check it out and I appreciate any feedback as well.  I really hope you enjoy!

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Do you love horror series?  Of course you do!  Please also check out 12 Nights of Horror Series Coming Soon.  It’s your home for everything you need to know about new and returning horror television series including new trailers, premiere dates, reviews, recaps, and renewals!