Following the surprise success of 2022’s Smile, horror fans are eagerly anticipating Smile 2, the chilling continuation of the psychological horror saga that left audiences terrified and talking. Directed once again by Parker Finn, the sequel promises to build on the haunting themes of trauma, fear, and supernatural evil introduced in the original. As anticipation builds, many are asking:
Is Smile 2 based on a true story?
The short and simple answer is no—Smile 2, like its predecessor, is not based on a true story. It is a work of fictional horror, though it is deeply inspired by real psychological struggles and emotional trauma, which give the story its powerful sense of realism.
A Quick Recap of Smile
The first Smile film followed Dr. Rose Cotter, a therapist who begins experiencing terrifying hallucinations and visions after a traumatic patient suicide. She discovers she is being stalked by a sinister, shape-shifting entity that passes from person to person through trauma and fear, typically following a witnessed suicide.
The entity forces its victims to experience terrifying hallucinations before driving them to take their own lives, all while smiling in an unsettling, unnatural way. Though not a true story, the concept taps into very real fears about mental health, trauma, and the stigma surrounding both.
What We Know About Smile 2
Smile 2, set to release in October 2024, will reportedly feature a new lead character: Skye Riley, a global pop star (played by Naomi Scott) who finds herself stalked by the same smiling entity. The plot will explore how this supernatural force affects someone in the public eye, blending horror with celebrity culture and emotional isolation.
While the story is entirely fictional, it once again draws from very real psychological conditions—such as PTSD, dissociation, and hallucinations—and uses horror as a metaphor to explore them.
Is There Any Real-Life Basis?
Although Smile 2 is not based on a true story or real events, it’s rooted in emotional truth. Director Parker Finn has emphasized that the franchise is meant to highlight the cyclical nature of trauma, and how it can affect not just individuals, but also spread between people in unexpected, invisible ways—similar to how the entity passes from one person to another.
The horror in Smile and likely in Smile 2 is symbolic, representing how unaddressed pain can consume lives. There is no real-world “smiling demon” or documented case that mirrors the plot, but the emotional experiences—fear, helplessness, being disbelieved—are deeply relatable to those struggling with mental health issues.
Final Verdict
So, is Smile 2 based on a true story? No, it is a fictional horror sequel that builds on the supernatural lore introduced in the first film. However, it cleverly uses horror tropes and chilling visuals to explore real psychological and emotional themes, which is why it feels so disturbingly real. With Smile 2, audiences can expect another unsettling ride—one that blurs the line between supernatural terror and psychological truth.
