Premiere - Smile 2 : Paris Premiere at the Grand Rex - A Night of Horror and Music

By Mulder, Paris, Le Grand Rex, 14 october 2024

On the evening of October 14, 2024, the renowned Grand Rex in Paris hosted the highly anticipated French premiere of Smile 2, the chilling sequel to the 2022 psychological horror phenomenon. A wave of excitement rippled through the iconic cinema as eager horror enthusiasts gathered to witness what writer-director Parker Finn had crafted in his latest nightmare-inducing film. The premiere was not only a celebration of cinema but also of music, with a stunning performance from SOR4, a rising French pop-rock band, setting the tone for the night.

SOR4, a female pop/rock quartet formed in 2020, opened the night with two electric performances, Amina and Comment on s’aime. Known for their dynamic energy and their unique fusion of rock, pop, and electronic influences, the group captivated the audience, providing a lively contrast to the dark, unsettling mood that the evening would soon take on with the film screening. Their performance not only energized the crowd but also underscored the connection between music and the film’s storyline, as the protagonist in Smile 2 is a global pop star whose life spirals into horror​

Smile 2 builds on the eerie premise of its predecessor, following pop sensation Skye Riley (played by Naomi Scott) as she prepares for a new world tour. However, her life takes a nightmarish turn when she starts experiencing disturbing supernatural events that seem linked to her hidden past. As Skye grapples with her sanity, the pressures of fame, and the terrifying entity haunting her, the audience is pulled into a gripping psychological horror that blends the horrors of the mind with the supernatural. Finn, known for leaving certain threads unresolved in the first film, used this sequel as a way to explore deeper themes while keeping the mysterious nature of the sinister force at the heart of the story​

The film stars an impressive ensemble cast, including returning actor Kyle Gallner and newcomers Rosemarie DeWitt, Lukas Gage, and Miles Gutierrez-Riley, who all bring intensity to their roles. Interestingly, Smile 2 also features a surprise appearance by Drew Barrymore, who plays herself, adding a meta layer to the film that will certainly intrigue audiences​

After the massive commercial success of Smile in 2022, a sequel was quickly greenlit by Paramount Pictures, with Parker Finn returning to write and direct. Principal photography for Smile 2 began in early 2024 and wrapped by March of the same year, with much of the filming taking place in New York. The film continues to explore the unsettling atmosphere that made the first movie a box-office success while introducing new characters and deeper psychological terrors​

Parker Finn deliberately left the origin of the sinister force in Smile ambiguous, allowing for further exploration in this sequel. He emphasized that Smile 2 offers fresh, unexpected twists while keeping the core elements of terror and suspense intact. The director hinted that there is still much more to uncover in the world of Smile, giving fans hope for future installments​

The Smile 2 premiere also served as a platform to showcase The Skye Riley EP, an extended play released just days before the premiere by Naomi Scott, under the pseudonym Skye Riley, her character’s name in the film. The soundtrack includes haunting tracks like Blood on White Satin, which was prominently featured in the movie’s trailer, and Grieved You, released in September 2024​

The music plays a significant role in the film, not just as a background element but as an integral part of Skye Riley’s character arc. The EP blends pop with eerie, unsettling undertones, mirroring the haunting journey that Skye undergoes in the film. With Smile 2 intertwining psychological horror and pop stardom, the music adds a fresh, disturbing layer to the overall narrative​

As the film played on the massive screen at the Grand Rex, the audience was swept into a whirlwind of fear, tension, and haunting imagery. The grandeur of the venue only amplified the unsettling atmosphere of Smile 2, making it a perfect setting for the Parisian debut of this horror hit. Fans of the genre were left breathless, with many praising the film for its intense psychological depth and spine-chilling scares.

The success of the Paris premiere sets the stage for the film’s wider release, with audiences in the U.S. eagerly awaiting Smile 2's official debut on October 18, 2024. With its mix of intense performances, chilling narrative, and a powerful soundtrack, Smile 2 is poised to continue the success of the original while establishing itself as a standout sequel in the horror genre

You can discover our photos selection in our Flickr page

Synopsis: 
On the eve of a new world tour, pop star Skye Riley begins to experience events as terrifying as they are inexplicable. Overwhelmed by the pressures of stardom, and faced with a day-to-day life that's tipping further and further into horror, Skye is forced to confront her dark past in an attempt to regain control of her life before it's too late.

Smile 2
Written and directed by Parker Finn
Based on Characters by Parker Finn
Produced by Marty Bowen, Wyck Godfrey, Isaac Klausner, Parker Finn, Robert Salerno
Starring Naomi Scott, Rosemarie DeWitt, Kyle Gallner, Lukas Gage, Miles Gutierrez-Riley, Peter Jacobson, Raúl Castillo, Dylan Gelula, Ray Nicholson
Cinematography : Charlie Sarroff
Production company : Temple Hill Entertainment
Distributed by Paramount Pictures
Release date : October 16, 2024 (France), October 18, 2024 (United States)
Running time : 127 minutes

Photos and videos : Boris Colletier / Mulderville