As a seasoned gamer and horror movie aficionado with decades of experience under my belt, I can confidently say that Smile 2 has firmly secured its place among the greats of the horror genre. The franchise’s innovative approach to antagonist presentation and unexpected endings have catapulted it into the Horror Hall of Fame alongside classics like Scream, Halloween, and Friday the 13th.
Editor’s Note: This article does contain spoilers for the end of Smile 2
Key Takeaways
- Smile 2 joined classic horror franchises due to innovation in antagonist presentation and unexpected endings.
- Classic horror franchises need unseen elements and villains that surprise, like in Scream, Halloween, and Smile.
- Ending where the villain wins and the heroes lose makes Smile unique, enticing audiences to root for the heroes.
In recent years, numerous horror films are released annually, yet only a small percentage achieve “classic” status. However, it seems that the Smile series has managed to accomplish this feat with its sequel being one of the most acclaimed and profitable horror movies in recent memory. The initial film was quite successful. It introduced an unprecedented monster that viewers hadn’t really encountered before. But Smile 2 elevated it further. To have a franchise, a story obviously needs to span multiple films, but there’s more to making this a timeless horror series than just having multiple installments.
Among the notable horror series that have endured, Friday the 13th, Nightmare on Elm Street, Halloween, and Scream stand out as some of the finest. The sequel to Smile, titled Smile 2, earned its place in the Horror Hall of Fame for several reasons. It wasn’t just the enthusiastic response from fans and critics that contributed to this achievement; the film itself also played a significant role.
Franchise Greats Are Few And Far Between
When talking about a classic horror movie franchise, it’s not about how long it’s been around, though that usually helps. And it’s not about having more than one film on the subject. There’s all sorts of different factors that allow it to reach that status. That’s why Scream is among those that is right there near the top of the list. The first factor is that the franchise has to offer something that hasn’t really been seen before. Scream did that by making the slasher genre meta. The victims and the killers talked about other slasher movie classics, while living in a slasher movie. There’s also the fact that the “bad guy” can pop up anywhere. Especially when people think the danger is over.
In the movie “Scream”, suspense is built as the killers’ identities are revealed unexpectedly when it seemed the final villain had been eliminated by the good guys. Similarly, in Halloween, Michael Myers would mysteriously appear wearing his mask behind unsuspecting victims, taking them out before they realized what danger they were in due to his stealthy movements as a large figure. This left viewers wondering about the extent of his kill count. Remarkably, despite this, he has become a significant villain in horror cinema history, leading to numerous sequels, remakes, and video games. Jason Voorhees shares similarities with Michael Myers, often appearing silently out of the shadows to claim his victims in a sudden and surprising manner.
| Smile 2 | |
|---|---|
| Directed By | Parker Finn |
| Written By | Parker Finn |
| Starring | Naomi Scott, Rosemarie DeWitt, Dylan Gelula, Lukas Gage, Kyle Gallner, Peter Jacobson, Miles Gutierrez-Riley |
| Runtime | 2 Hours, 7 Minutes |
| Release Date | October 18, 2024 |
In the films “Smile” and “Smile 2”, the creature that pursues its victims operates differently compared to Jason and Michael Myers, yet shares some comparable traits. The prey of this monster never anticipate its approach. There are instances where they believe they’ve evaded it or are momentarily safe. However, it reappears. Unlike these two infamous figures, it doesn’t ambush the victim from behind; instead, it typically materializes right in front of its intended target. Yet, it skillfully maintains a distance until it’s ready to set the trap. It should be noted that this monster often torments its victims more than Jason and Michael. In this aspect, it bears a closer resemblance to Freddy Krueger from “A Nightmare on Elm Street” or the killers in “Scream”.
One method of enhancing these genre films is by making the antagonists unpredictable, a key element that contributes to their timeless appeal. This surprise factor significantly boosts their popularity, as demonstrated by Smile 2, where the sequel often outperforms the original financially. Critics also tend to favor it, with Smile 2 boasting an impressive 83% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Even well-loved horror movies find it challenging to garner such critical acclaim.
The Bad Guy Wins
One key aspect that sets outstanding horror franchises apart is the palpable uncertainty about whether the heroes will emerge victorious against the ultimate malevolence. In the cases of “Smile” and “Smile 2”, this element is particularly striking. Unlike in the “Nightmare on Elm Street” series, where the antagonist is vanquished at the end of each film, but there’s an underlying sense that he might return, these two films don’t provide such a resolution. Instead, they suggest that the evil has not been completely defeated, leaving viewers with a lingering fear and anticipation for what may come next.
Below are spoilers for Smile 2
In the films “Smile” and “Smile 2”, the narrative cleverly deceives both viewers and protagonists by suggesting that the demon might be defeated. However, this deception is short-lived as the audience, along with the heroes, are shocked to discover that the anticipated happy ending was merely a trick to make the victim believe they would survive. At this point, the demon swiftly seals its trap and completely overtakes its target’s mind.
The unique closing scenes of the “Smile” series are what set them apart and solidify their status as a timeless franchise. It’s an intriguing plot twist that keeps audiences eagerly anticipating whether the antagonist will eventually be defeated. Moreover, these films feature actors who invest deeply in their roles because they have significant personal stakes at play.
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2024-10-21 02:04