Is the hype on “Smile 2” starting? Paramount at least wants to incite the process, as Total Film reports the studio has begun its viral social media campaign for Parker Finn‘s horror sequel. Don’t believe us? Head over to Instagram and X to check out a fan page for the fictional pop star Skye Riley and see for yourself.
The new marketing campaign highlights the horror movie’s new main character, played by Naomi Scott, and her latest chart-topper “Blood In White Satin” (a horror-tinged riff on a song by The Moody Blue, which Rob Zombie immortalized in his “Halloween 2“). The Instagram account @SkyeRileyNation has some minor teases, like a pic of a billboard plugging Riley on Sunset Boulevard and another post about the artist’s latest single dropping on June 18, a hint that’s when fans should expect the first trailer for “Smile 2”? But it’s a video posted on DiscussingFilm’s X feed that’s the best tease, and features the first available footage from the sequel.
The 32-second clip isn’t long, but it features Scott’s Riley walking to the stage as lyrics from her new song flash over the screen. Brief cuts to the house from “Smile” give away the video’s intentions, with the lyrics “A disaster waiting to happen/like blood on white satin” also hinting at what’s to come. Paramount remains coy on their new marketing strategy, but DiscussingFilm’s caption for their X post confirms it’s Scott in the video and that it’s a teaser for “Smile 2,” so be prepared for similar campaigns in the coming weeks.
Much about “Smile 2” remains a mystery as it approaches its October 18 theatrical release. Here’s what The Playlist knows so far. The sequel stars Scott as a popstar who has a stranger break into her dressing room and leer at her in the same sinister fashion as the possessed people in “Smile.” Kyle Gallner reprises his role from the 2022 film, with Rosemarie DeWitt, Lukas Gage, Dylan Gelula, Raúl Castillo, and Miles Gutierrez-Riley rounding out the main cast. Finn shot the film in NYC and the Hudson Valley in New York earlier this year.
Paramount rolled out a similar viral campaign for “Smile” back in 2022, with actors placed in random locations with scary smiles on their faces. But other horror movies have gotten in on similar action this year, including “The Strangers: Chapter 1” and Oz Perkin‘s “Longlegs.” “Smile 2” looks more immersive than those campaigns, however, which suggests that Paramount is very high on the film. That’s a safe assumption, especially considering almost all of Tinsel Town is in a bidding war for Finn’s upcoming “Possession” remake with Robert Pattinson.
Check out the start of the “Smile 2” social media campaign below. And expect the movie’s first trailer next week on June 18.
