Horror sequels can be tough to pull off. Often the original lays out a series of perplexing events (teenagers dying in their dreams, for example) and then provides an explanation (Freddy Krueger was killed by those teenager’s parents and seeks revenge.) When you get to the sequel, the mystery is gone. 

Sometimes screenwriters handle this by attempting to expand the mythos to varying degrees of success. Other times, they just accept that each sequel will be a retread of original. That second approach works for goofy horror; not so much for cerebral horror.

The problem here is that the first “Smile” (which I enjoyed) was brainy. It introduced the mystery (who are these smiling weirdos killing themselves?)), and provided a very satisfactory explanation at the end. That doesn’t leave “Smile 2” much to work with, so it rehashes the same premise and themes, all wrapped in one ineffective jump scare after the other, and tied off with fun but pointless gore. (Additionally, an “explainer“ character puts into words what was only intimidated in the original, and somehow it ruins the whole thing.)

I won’t go into the plot, other than to say it’s the original’s story retro-fitted onto a Myley Cyrus style pop singer character named Skye Riley. (I will say the actress Naomi Scott did a great job with the role.)

Skye is presented as troubled and, in various ways, problematic. I have no issue with unlikable characters (and it’s a bit debatable how unsympathetic Skye is supposed to be) but the problem is she’s also kind of boring. I wasn’t rooting for her at all.

The visuals were maybe the best part of the film and there was some great creepy choreography in a scene with Skye’s backup dancers.

The film reminded me of Demi Moore’s “The Substance” with elements of body horror, and a famous person who spends a lot of their time holed up in their condominium. But really, this could be “The Substanceless”. There just wasn’t much of interest here. (The ending was cute, but you saw it coming from a mile away.)

I feel this film is part of a familiar pedigree of modern horror. The camera work, and themes of trauma and alienation are shared with movies like “The Babadook,” “It Follows” and “Abandoned.” I liked those movies, but “Smile 2” feels played out; Maybe this stuff has just run its course.