Preamble

Nirvana’s “Something in the Way” has been on my mind a lot recently. This is not only because its lyrics have unique sense of applicability to me but also because of its haunting vocals. The same could be said of Smile 2 that’s lingered with me since seeing it earlier this year. In a year that’s had a strong sense of female identity within the horror genre, Smile 2 has stood out. And I hope my brief discussion of my favourite shot from the film does it justice. Have you seen Smile 2? What was your standout cinematic still from the 2024 sequel? Let me know in the comments below.

One Great Shot

The fixed medium shot of the audience at the end of Smile 2 really gives the viewer a lot to think about. On the one hand, it’s meta insofar as it’s referencing the audience quite directly, making us a part of the concert. It also mirrors and complements the introduction to Skye (Naomi Scott) via a fixed shot of a television where we see the pop star’s interview with Drew Barrymore. In fact, one could argue that the shot critiques reaction culture by emphasizing how it’s less about the event in question than our emotions during it.

At the same time, it caps off a theme of how Skye feels watched as an icon/recovering addict but rarely heard or genuinely seen. At pivotal moments throughout the film, Skye points out that if only people could see what her mind is like. With this in mind, the shot in question illustrates the disconnect between Skye’s reality (aka seeing the parasite) and the audience, who view the pop star in her most idealized state, whom they adore from afar.

Therefore, the ultimate meaning of the shot is a criticism of how we consume media. We view and appreciate it from a distance (be it as a television viewer or a fan at a pop concert). But we don’t stop to think about the artist or our part in their ceaseless striving for perfection. Thus, the disconnect between the artist and the audience is jarring and haunting.