Expanding lore is a key element in horror sequels, and it’s something that I pondered heavily going into my screening of writer/director Parker Finn’s Smile 2. Revisiting the original in the days before,

Smile 2 writer and director Parker Finn explains how a pop star became his next target, and why the horror sequel takes bigger and scarier swings.

Say cheese! This October, there’s something to beam about, which is a horror sequel that eclipses its predecessor. That’s right, “Smile 2,” the follow-up to the surprising 2022 hit “Smile” is bigger, gorier and even more bonkers than the first film, and it even has something interesting to say through those gritted-teeth grins.

"Smile 2" is more bonkers than the first film, and it even has something interesting to say through those gritted-teeth grins.

"Smile 2" is a flash-cut horror parable, but the story it's telling is that pop fame makes you crazy. Though the movie is hardly subtle, Parker Finn has become a clever enough filmmaker to make reality feel like a hallucination and hallucinations feel like reality.

A pop star is put through an unholy nightmare that will make audiences go wild. No, Lady Gaga is not involved.

Kyre’ Eppenger, general manager of Galaxy Theatres Legends, spoke with KOLO 8 Morning Break’s Katey Roshetko about this week’s movie line up, including: “Smile 2” and “Goodrich.” Spooky Series: Flashback Cinema: Family Fun Pack Giveaway: This segment is sponsored by Galaxy Theatres.