The creators of the hit horror film “Smile” knew they needed to enhance their signature creepy grins in their chilling sequel. And in a stroke of casting genius, they’ve found the perfect person to channel that iconic Nicholson smile—Jack Nicholson’s own son, Ray Nicholson.
The 32-year-old actor is making waves with his portrayal of a character haunted by the same sinister entity that plagued the protagonist of the first “Smile” film. But it’s Nicholson’s uncanny resemblance to his father’s famous grin that has horror fans truly captivated.
“That’s actually great casting,” gushed one fan on social media, echoing the sentiments of many who have laid eyes on the chilling promotional poster for “Smile 2.” The image features Nicholson flashing a smile that bears a striking resemblance to his father’s unforgettable turn as Jack Torrance in Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining.”
“I’m not gonna lie. I saw that and immediately thought, ‘That guy kind of looks like Jack Nicholson,'” another fan commented. “Now I understand why and am in awe.”
It’s a connection that director Parker Finn seems to have deliberately cultivated, drawing inspiration from the “Kubrick Stare” that made Nicholson’s performance in “The Shining” so iconic.
Finn explained to The Hollywood Reporter, “I find that what you want to do is smile in a friendly way; you don’t want to overexaggerate, you don’t want to strain your face, but it’s all about disconnecting the eyes from the smile, and then about how you position the head.” “There’s a bit of a head tilt that occurs; there’s the famous ‘Kubrick Stare,’ which we kind of leaned into, and then it becomes all about the filmmaking tools [of framing and design].”
It’s a tactic that has clearly paid dividends, with fans already buzzing about Nicholas’s creepy turn in the sequel. And the actor himself seems thrilled to be channeling his famous father’s legacy, even if he acknowledges that they are “very different people.”
“We’re very different people. I was born in 1992; he was born in 1937. The things that affect me don’t necessarily affect him,” Nicholson told Deadline. “Obviously, I love him. He’s my inspiration. I ate dinner with him every night. I studied it; that’s how I learned to be a human being. Naturally, we will share some similarities.
The younger Nicholson’s passion for the craft is evident, and he seems to relish the opportunity to follow in his father’s formidable footsteps. In fact, he even credited Jack Nicholson as the inspiration behind his decision to pursue acting in the first place.
“I’ve always wanted to be an actor, you know? And this is the most amazing way to get into it,” Ray Nicholson told Entertainment Tonight. “I am thrilled to collaborate with the talented and incredible [director and screenwriter] Parker Finn. And to be able to support star Naomi [Scott], I’m just happy to be there, and… my face is my face, and I want it in more things.”
With the success of the first “Smile” film and the buzz surrounding the sequel, it’s clear that Ray Nicholson is poised to make his own mark on the horror genre. The filmmakers have crafted a casting decision that resonates deeply with fans of classic horror, drawing inspiration from the iconic Nicholson grin.
“Whoever came up with this brilliant casting stunt deserves a raise,” one fan gushed on Twitter, echoing the sentiments of many who are eagerly anticipating the release of “Smile 2.”
The Nicholson name will once again loom large over the world of horror as the film prepares to hit theaters. And with Ray Nicholson’s powerful performance, the legacy of his father’s unforgettable smile looks set to live on in a whole new generation of chilling thrills.