Jack Nicholson Naomi Scott in Smile-2

SUMMARY

  • Ray Nicholson, Jack Nicholson’s son, might face pressure to shine in Smile 2 alongside Naomi Scott.
  • Early reviews highlight the expertly crafted tension, effective scares, and a good mix of humor.
  • Parker Finn teases exciting future directions for the franchise, emphasizing thematically rich stories.

When you’re the son of a Hollywood icon like Jack Nicholson, expectations definitely run high. Ray Nicholson is stepping into that glare with the horror film Smile 2, sharing the screen with the talented Naomi Scott. Set to release later this week, this sequel to the hit Smile (2022) is helmed by Parker Finn and promises to be a spine-tingling ride.

Ray Nicholson, Jack Nicholson’s son, might face pressure to shine in Smile 2 alongside Naomi Scott. Ray Nicholson in Smile 2 | Credit: Paramount Pictures

In Smile 2, Scott plays Skye Riley, a pop singer who faces terrifying challenges as she prepares for a world tour. While Ray Nicholson’s involvement in such a high-profile project is thrilling, some critics wonder if he can truly shine, especially with Scott poised to deliver a performance that’s sure to steal the spotlight.

Needless to say, Jack Nicholson’s son will need to bring his A-game to shine alongside Scott in what’s sure to be a nail-biting experience.

Can Ray Nicholson Shine Alongside Naomi Scott in Smile 2?

We will soon see Ray Nicholson in the psychological supernatural horror film Smile 2, and while he might not be trying to channel his legendary father, Jack Nicholson, the resemblance is hard to ignore.

Speaking to Deadline at the premiere of Smile 2, the Out of the Blue star, 32, addressed the buzz surrounding his poster’s resemblance to Jack Torrance (from The Shining), stating,

We’re very different people. I was born in 1992, he was born in 1937. The things that affect me don’t necessarily affect him. Obviously, I love him. He’s my inspiration. I ate dinner with him every night. I studied it; that’s how I learned to be a human being. So, of course we’re gonna be kind of similar.

Early reviews highlight the expertly crafted tension, effective scares, and a good mix of humor. Naomi Scott in Smile 2 (2024) | Credit: Paramount Pic

As viewers gear up for this spine-tingling adventure, early reactions are flooding in, and the verdict is clear. Entertainment writer and critic, Chris Gallardo, recently took to X to share his thoughts on Smile 2, noting that the tension is expertly crafted and the scares hit the mark. Plus, there is just the right amount of comedic moments to keep audiences engaged.

#Smile2 is legit TERRIFYING as HELL. The tension is perfectly driven and the scares absolutely deliver. There's some hilarious bits here and there, but it's thrilling all the way through. And yes, Naomi Scott delivers a killer performance that NEEDS TO BE RECOGNIZED! pic.twitter.com/6NDn2T83qO

— Chris Gallardo 🔜 NYCC (@chrisagwrites) October 16, 2024

And let’s not forget Naomi Scott, whose performance is being hailed as absolutely sensational—truly deserving of all the accolades!

Given all this, it looks like the son of the As Good as It Gets star has his work cut out for him. We’ll just have to wait and see, but one thing’s for sure: the excitement for Smile 2 is through the roof!

A Grinning Future: The Exciting Prospects of Smile 2

Parker Finn teases exciting future directions for the franchise, emphasizing thematically rich stories. Smile 2 | Credit: Paramount Pictures

Just as Smile 2 takes a leap from the original’s more intimate storyline by zooming in on a pop star, the future of this franchise is wide open. Director Parker Finn recently had a chat with Screen Rant, and let’s just say, he’s got some thrilling ideas up his sleeve. Riding high on the success of the first film, Finn shared his “exciting” vision for the potential of more sequels to come.

I do think that there are so many exciting places that Smile could go.

He further emphasized his desire to bring thematically rich stories that center around character development. To quote him:

For me, it’s still always about wanting to do something thematically rich that’s centered on character stories. I love where this film goes, and right now I’m excited for audiences to see Smile 2. Hopefully, if they embrace it, I think that there could be a really interesting future for Smile.

Smile wasn’t just a collection of jump scares; it was an immersive exploration of character that made viewers feel like they were catching up with old friends in Sosie Bacon and Caitlin Stasey’s roles. According to Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an impressive approval rating of 80%.

As we gear up for the sequel’s release on October 18, 2024, projections are looking rosy, with Smile 2 expected to rake in at least $20 million in its opening weekend. 

Smile 2 doesn’t skimp on talent either, featuring a star-studded cast that includes Rosemarie DeWitt, Lukas Gage, Miles Gutierrez-Riley, Peter Jacobson, Raúl Castillo, Dylan Gelula, and Kyle Gallner reprising his role from the original film.

Smile is streaming on Hulu.

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Written by Siddhika Prajapati

Articles Published: 2108

Meet Siddhika, the literary wizard who can find a story in a teacup and make a mountain out of a molehill—well, a really fascinating mountain, that is!

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