Horror movie fans have been drawn into watching a new film thanks to the intriguing casting of an actor whose father is a well-known Oscar winner. The movie in question is Smile 2, a sequel to the surprising success released in 2022. Directed and written by Parker Finn, the original film featured Sosie Bacon as a therapist who believes she is encountering supernatural forces following the suicide of a patient who eerily smiled before their demise.
In Smile 2, Naomi Scott takes the lead role as a pop singer undergoing a similar supernatural experience to Bacon’s character in the first movie. With an almost entirely new cast, the only returning actor is Kyle Gallner. The film’s marketing strategy includes an eerie poster with an actor bearing a striking resemblance to the iconic smile from Stanley Kubrick’s 1980 film, The Shining. The actor behind this enigmatic smile is Ray Nicholson, the son of The Shining star Jack Nicholson.
Fans have lauded the decision to feature Ray Nicholson on the poster as a stroke of genius. Many have expressed excitement over the casting, with some admitting it has piqued their interest in the film, despite not being fans of the original. Social media reactions have included comments such as “Clever marketing” and “Brilliant casting stunt.”
Ray Nicholson, aged 32, is the son of Jack Nicholson and former actor and model Rebecca Broussard. Apart from Smile 2, his acting credits include roles in Promising Young Woman, Out of the Blue, and the TV series Panic. Jack Nicholson, an acclaimed three-time Oscar winner, shares six children with five different women.
In an interview at the premiere, Ray shared insights into his relationship with his father, expressing admiration and gratitude towards him. Smile 2 is scheduled for release in cinemas on 18th October, promising an intriguing cinematic experience for horror enthusiasts and fans of the Nicholson family legacy.