'Scariest movie of the year' is out in cinemas this week as first reviews revealed

The sequel to 2022 horror film is releasing in cinemas this Thursday and the first reviews have been revealed.

The logline of the film reads: "About to embark on a new world tour, global pop sensation Skye Riley (Naomi Scott) begins experiencing increasingly terrifying and inexplicable events.

"Overwhelmed by the escalating horrors and the pressures of fame, Skye is forced to face her dark past to regain control of her life before it spirals out of control."

The first reviews are in and critics are unanimously praising the follow up film to the hugely successful first offering.

One person took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to pen: "Just stepped out of the #Smile2 screening and I’m shaken! Scariest movie of the year by a mile. Just pure unfettered horror that ups the ante in every way. Gory, mean, and heartbreaking. Oh, and Naomi Scott is coming for Toni Collette's gig. I said what I said. #paramount".

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Another fan gushed: "SMILE 2 blew me away! An award-worthy step-up in every way to the original: magnificent cinematography, clever jumpscares, bloody, gnarly imagery & thematic depth surrounding grief, trauma & guilt. Career-best performance from Naomi Scott. 2024's best horror film. Damn! #Smile2".

While a third added: "Haven’t been that giddy seeing a premise executed to the fullest degree since Challengers. Parker Finn delivers an emotionally charged, mean spirited, delightfully bloody, impeccably shot sequel with #Smile2, and Naomi Scott here is one of the best performances of the year."

Aside from Naomi, the film also stars You actor Lukas Gage, as well as fellow stars Rosemarie DeWitt, Kyle Gallner and Miles Guiterrez-Riley.

It's been directed by Parker Finn, who directed the first instalment and has also written the screenplay of the film.

It's been produced by production company Temple Hill Entertainment and distributed by Paramount Pictures.

Smile turned out to be hugely profitable when it released two years ago, and garnered $217 million from a budget of $17 million. It also received generally positive reviews from critics and has a Rotten Tomatoes rating of 79% based on 192 views.

Smile 2 releases in cinemas tomorrow (October 17).