Grin and scare it: Smile 2 promises to haunt youth audiences with more sinister smiles.

If the eerie grins from the 2022 horror hit Smile left you haunted, prepare yourself because the nightmare is far from over. The first trailer for Smile 2 has just dropped, and it’s packed with enough sinister smiles to make anyone’s skin crawl.  

The original Smile film delivered an impressive 68,000 admissions in New Zealand, becoming the highest-grossing horror film of 2022, outperforming established franchises like Scream and Halloween. On November 9, 2022, Smile became only the third R-rated film released in the pandemic era to gross $100 million in the United States, as well as becoming the highest-grossing R-rated horror film worldwide during the pandemic. 

The debut film had clearly captured the interest of youth, with audiences skewing towards younger demographics. In New Zealand, the film saw an unprecedented 73% of its audience aged 14-24 and 93% aged 14-39. 

The sequel, Smile 2 is set to continue the terrifying tale of the evil curse that drives its victims to madness and death, marked by those unsettlingly sinister smiles. In the original Smile, we followed main character Rose, as she succumbed to the curse after a harrowing journey through her past traumas. This time around, the curse targets a new victim—global pop sensation Skye Riley, played by Naomi Scott. Scott, known for her role as Princess Jasmine in Disney’s live-action Aladdin, takes centre stage as she battles the malevolent force. 

Fans of the first Smile will be thrilled to see the return of Kyle Gallner, who reprises his role as police officer Joel, with the end of Smile leaving Joel in a dire situation, cursed after witnessing Rose’s tragic end. Joining Scott and Gallner is Lukas Gage, known for his roles in Euphoria and The White Lotus, adding even more star power to the ensemble. Parker Finn will also return as writer and director, aiming to capture the same unsettling atmosphere that made the original a breakout hit. 

As Smile 2 gears up for its release around Halloween time this year, the anticipation is palpable. With a promising cast and the return of the original creative team, Smile 2 is poised to deliver another spine-chilling experience that horror fans won't soon forget. If the trailer is any indication, audiences should prepare for a film that delves even deeper into the nightmarish curse, leaving them haunted long after the credits roll. 

Catch the curse of Smile 2 in cinemas on October 17.