Smile 2 Director Addresses Whether Future Sequels Will Explain The Smiler’s Mythology

The director of Smile 2 has shared some insights into the infamous Smiler’s mythology, teasing the audience about how much may be disclosed in future sequels. The 2024 horror film is the new installment in the Smile franchise, which centers on a curse that feeds on people’s trauma, using unsettling smiles to drive its victims towards madness and, subsequently, death. While the first film provided some cryptic clues about The Smiler’s nature, the sequel hints that the curse is far from being fully understood.

In a recent interview with Variety, Parker Finn, writer and director of both installments, described his approach to the Smiler’s function in the films. Finn revealed that the creature is deeply personal, reacting differently with each character depending on their specific fears. He also emphasized his preference for leaving parts of the mythology unknown after Smile 2, citing that he is more interested in exploring each main character’s story. Read his full quote below:

I certainly have all of these thoughts and considerations around The Smiler, and it helps inform me how to utilize it in the film. I love the fact that, because it’s designed to get into the cracks of a character’s brain and start feasting on all the worst stuff inside of their head, it’s incredibly specific, unique and personal to everyone it’s interacting with. Anything that we learned about it in the first film, we might realize, “Oh, that was just one version of it interacting with [“Smile” protagonist] Rose, and that’s for Skye.” Yes, there is this throughline, but it has some new tricks up its sleeves and things that we didn’t know about it.

I oftentimes feel less is more with things like mythology in horror films, especially if it comes to supernatural stuff. First of all, I’m way more interested in the character story. I love the stuff that goes bump in the night, but I want to use that supernatural push to explore the human horror, the internal psychological stuff. But, also, I find that sometimes when you begin to over-explain it — you give it a name and origin — all the audience begins to defang it. I think the fear of the unknown is much more frightening, but I also think it’s worth doling out breadcrumbs to bring an audience along. They’re little pieces of candy to eat along the way, which I love — but if I’m answering a question or closing a door, I want to make sure I’m opening two more.

What This Means For The Smile Franchise

The Horror Series Could Have Plenty Of Longevity

Finn’s comments suggest that Smile will continue to explore the convergence of supernatural horror and psychological trauma. Instead of focusing solely on rigid mythology or explaining the Smiler’s origins, future films are likely to dig further into a new character’s inner demons, using the curse as a vehicle to bring forward their trauma. This strategy will ensure that the franchise stays fresh, with each film providing new experiences rather than rehashing the same concept, as many horror franchises do. By resisting over-explanation, Finn takes advantage of the fear of the unknown, which is often more terrifying than any defined monster or backstory.

The concept of each victim experiencing a different version of the Smiler also brings up exciting new story possibilities. This strategy allows the potential Smile 3 to introduce new psychological dimensions and trauma for every protagonist, keeping the audience engaged with the unpredictability. Additionally, his approach could ensure that the Smile franchise becomes a horror staple in the future by allowing new audiences to experience and enjoy the sequels without necessarily having to study the lore of the films before going to the cinema.

It Will Keep Audiences Wanting More

The decision to keep the Smiler’s origins ambiguous aligns with what makes supernatural horror effective. Over-explaining a monster can dull its impact, as audiences begin to feel more comfortable once they can understand the threat. Instead, the director’s decision to leave breadcrumbs rather than full explanations offers the audience just enough mystery to stay invested. By focusing on psychological horror, Smile also distinguishes itself from other films, ensuring it remains relevant in a saturated market.

With a mythology that evolves alongside its characters and an emphasis on psychological horror, future installments after Smile 2 have the potential to surprise and unnerve audiences in innovative ways. Those hoping to uncover more about the Smiler may need to brace themselves, for every answer could just lead to even more questions.

Source: Variety

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.

Director

Parker Finn

Release Date

October 18, 2024

Distributor(s)

Paramount Pictures

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