Just whenSmile 2couldn’t get any more unhinged, writer-director Parker Finn had one last trick up his sleeve, but the twist sets up an unrealistic expectation for the inevitableSmile 3. While audiences likely expected pop superstar Skye Riley to suffer the same fate asSmile’s Rose Cotter, her final moments inSmile 2’s storytook the franchise in a mind-bending new direction that potentiallycreates a few problems forSmile 3.
The film’s climactic sequence revealed that Skye’s desperate meeting with an ER nurse named Morris at an abandoned Pizza Hut - where he claimed he could end the entity’s week-long cycle of torture by briefly stopping her heart - was actually a hallucination conjured by the Smile entity itself. In reality, Skye was performing at Madison Square Garden, surrounded by thousands of fans who witnessed her brutal end as she succumbed to the creature’s influence and bashed her own head in with a bejeweled microphone. In the end,it was all an illusion inSmile 2for Skye.
Audiences Will Expect A Big Twist In Smile 3
They’ll Be On High Alert In The Third Movie
AfterSkye’s bombshell twist ending inSmile 2, it’s safe to assume that moviegoers will be on high alert for any hint of a twist in the third installment, scrutinizing every scene, character interaction, and plot point for clues. This heightened awareness could significantly impact how audiences engage withSmile 3’s story. InSmile 2, viewers were naturally invested in Skye’s journey because they experienced events through her perspective.
The franchise has now conditioned viewers to anticipate a shocking revelation that completely recontextualizes the film’s events. This expectation creates a difficult balancing act for the filmmakers, who must craft a narrative compelling enough to draw viewers in despite their natural skepticism. Recent horror franchises likeInsidiousandThe Conjuringhave demonstrated how difficult it is to maintain narrative tension when audiences are constantly looking for the next big reveal.
Recent horror franchises likeInsidiousandThe Conjuringhave demonstrated how difficult it is to maintain narrative tension when audiences are constantly looking for the next big reveal.
The pressure to deliver another twist also risks diminishing the impact ofSmile 3’s genuine scares and character moments. ThroughoutSmile 2, small details that seemed innocuous on first viewing - like the strange behavior of background characters or subtle inconsistencies in the environment - took on new meaning after the twist was revealed.Smile 3’s audience will likely be analyzing every frame for similar clues, potentially missing the raw horror of the moment.
Smile 3 Will Have A Difficult Time Beating Smile 2’s Twist
Smile 2’s Twist Was A Rare Good Execution Of An Overused Trope
The shocking revelation that most of Smile 2 took place in Skye’s mind presents an unprecedented challenge for the next installment. Following up an “it was all a dream” twist has historically proven difficult for horror franchises, as evidenced by films likeA Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s RevengeandThe Matrix Reloaded. Even celebrated filmmakers like M. Night Shyamalan found diminishing returns withThe Sixth SenseandUnbreakable’s successors.
Smile 2: What Was Real & What Scenes Didn’t Really Happen
The Smile entity went to new lengths to haunt its host in Smile 2, completely erasing the lines between what was real and what was a hallucination.
Parker Finn and the creative team must now develop a twist that not only surprises audiences but also feels organic to the story and characters. This creates immense pressure to deliver something even more shocking thanSmile 2’s Madison Square Garden revelation, while still maintaining the psychological horror elements that made the first two films successful.
The public nature of Skye’s death - witnessed by thousands - raises the stakes considerably high. Any twist inSmile 3will need to acknowledge this escalation in the entity’s boldness, as it has now moved beyond claiming isolated victims to creating mass trauma.
Smile 3 Should Focus On Storytelling Over Shock Value
The Twists Should Serve The Story Rather Than The Other Way Around
Rather than attempting to outdoSmile 2’s twist ending,Smile 3should prioritize crafting a compelling narrative with rich themes, engaging characters, and genuine scares. The filmmakers need to trust in their ability to tell a story that stands on its own merits, avoiding the pitfall of sacrificing narrative coherence for shock value.
The dangers of prioritizing twists over storytelling are evident in films likeThe VillageandThe Happening, where the pursuit of a shocking revelation overshadowed character development and thematic depth.Smile 3has the opportunity to elevate the franchise beyond mere plot twists by deepening its exploration of trauma, mental health, and the nature of evil.
It would be great if a twist naturally emerged from that process, but it shouldn’t be the driving force behind the entire film; at the very least, it must be as well-executed asSmile 2. The success ofSmile 3will ultimately depend on its ability to balance audience expectations with genuine innovation. By focusing on the fundamentals of good storytelling and trusting in the strength of its concepts and characters, the film can deliver a satisfying continuation of the series.
Smile 2
Smile 2 is the sequel to the 2022 psychological horror film by director Parker Finn that centers on a therapist who witnesses a patient’s suicide, leading to a series of terrifying supernatural events. The sequel will see the return of Finn as director, with Paramount continuing distribution.
