As a seasoned horror enthusiast who’s seen my fair share of slasher films, I can confidently say that the cameo by Drew Barrymore in Smile 2 was nothing short of delightful. It was a clever nod to the genre’s history and a testament to Barrymore’s enduring appeal.
Warning! The Following Contains a Major SPOILER from Smile 2.
Fans of horror movies had a delightfully nostalgic experience when Drew Barrymore, famously known as the “Scream” Queen, made a significant appearance in “Smile 2”. This wasn’t entirely unexpected for dedicated fans, given that Barrymore’s role was already hinted at in the official trailer for the supernatural sequel. However, it seemed like reality and fiction intertwined when the popular singer Skye Riley (Naomi Scott) appeared on “The Drew Barrymore Show”. Here, viewers discovered just how influential the pop star really is. Interestingly, filmmaker Parker Finn had specifically written the key scene with Barrymore in mind right from the start. As Finn explained in an interview with CinemaBlend:
In creating the character of Skye Riley, played by Naomi Scott, I aimed to enhance authenticity and merge reality with fiction, making her seem as if she truly lived among us. To achieve this, I envisioned an appearance on a real talk show, but I thought, why not make it genuine? I admire Drew Barrymore, so I wrote the scene and sent it to her. I even penned a letter to her, and surprisingly, she agreed. It was truly a delightful experience working with her and executing this dream scenario.
It’s not unusual for filmmakers to leverage Barrymore’s acting talent in horror films by having her appear in cameos. The directors of the original “Scream” (1996), Wes Craven and Kevin Williamson, employed this strategy similarly to how Alfred Hitchcock used Janet Leigh in “Psycho” (1960) – killing off the main character as a shocking twist for the audience. The successful promotion of “Scream” suggested that Barrymore would be the central figure in the collaboration between Craven and Williamson.
In a surprising twist, Barrymore’s role in Smile 2 doesn’t reach the same level of groundbreaking ingenuity as her performance in Scream. However, it is still one of the most innovative casting choices for Barrymore since her character met the infamous Ghostface nearly three decades ago.
Smile 2’s ‘Tragic’ Taylor Swift-Inspired Star
Having Drew Barrymore featured in Smile 2 significantly boosted Skye Riley’s (Scott) fame in the music scene, but drawing inspiration from Taylor Swift was equally important in creating the fictional character. Notably, as director Parker Finn mentions, Skye adds a greater sense of authenticity to her role as she portrays a “deeply tragic, deeply flawed” protagonist, who battles against the Smile Entity. In an interview with Bloody Disgusting, Finn elaborated:
We encounter a genuine individual who’s deeply troubled and imperfect. She grapples with significant issues, yet chooses to conceal them. She feels incapable of sharing her struggles with anyone. Despite being surrounded by others constantly, she seems to be the most isolated soul on earth.
In a different conversation with Variety, Finn elaborated on making the film’s main character, Skye Riley, more relatable, similar to Taylor Swift. This way, he hopes that the audience can connect with her better in the movie “Smile 2”.
I was examining some of these highly revered semi-divine women: Where’s the ordinary human within them? I mean, Taylor Swift can’t be Taylor Swift constantly. It seemed intriguing to explore this angle. Also, I wanted to avoid depicting it in gloomy basements or among spidery addicts or similar settings.
In this realm of the pop star, there’s a glamorous sheen, it sparkles, it shimmers, one might assume it’s all fun. But I pondered, ‘Can I portray this world honestly while giving it an icy and unnerving tone? Making it unsettling, isolating, lonely, and cold? That idea felt potent as a foundation.’ This thought struck me as a compelling starting point.
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2024-10-25 16:33