To join the chorus: "Smile 2" is a career-making film for Naomi Scott, and it's a rare sequel because it outshines its predecessor. The bizarre plot has Scott spiraling, in late stages of addiction, when a near-fatal car crash causes her to reassess her life. She rebounds. She assumes a Taylor Swift-esque role in a global tour. At the same time, unfortunately, she becomes "infected" by a demon--and the demon-virus pushes her toward suicide. We are all at war with ourselves. "Smile 2"--with its international acclaim vs. self-mutilation setup--simply finds a way to raise "normal" stakes. The most fascinating part of the story involves Scott's mother, Rosemarie DeWitt. We're led to think that DeWitt has her child's interests at heart--" I've sacrificed so much! "--but perhaps the truth is murkier than that. (The screenwriter seems to be thinking about Amy Winehouse's father, who is famous for having exploited his...