Paramount Plus has released part of Smile 2 online (but there's a creepy catch)

Smile 2 has been a success for Paramount Pictures. The sequel to the surprise success from 2022, Smile 2 has earned positive reviews from critics and grossed over $100 million on a relatively small $28 million budget. Now, it's taking its creepy premise to streaming.

The first seven minutes of the horror sequel have been made available to stream on the Paramount Plus website (which you can visit here). It's an eventful seven minutes, picking up the narrative thread of the first film and setting up the chilling circumstances in which the rest of the story plays out. It's a cool idea to hook fans, but you can only watch these seven minutes under specific circumstances.

Smile 2 is allowing fans to sample the film at home

The only way you can enjoy the opening sequence of Smile 2 is if you are smiling the whole time. Yes, cheshire grin, ear to ear, or you won't be able to find out what happens to Joel (Kyle Gallner) from the first film.

It may sound confusing, but there is a very simple set up. The viewing of Smile 2 sample requires the viewer to turn on their computer camera. The site then registers whether you are smiling, and if you happen to change your expression at any point, the film will be paused.

It's a very creepy concept, and one that will no doubt make the viewer feel more immersive in a horror world where a big smile means you are effectively doomed. It should come as no surprise that Smile is coming up with clever ways to promote its latest installment, however.

The franchise is known for its clever marketing

The franchise has a track record of coming up with cool and attention-grabbing campaigns, the most notable of which was during the release of the first film. The marketing team hired people to attend a number of public events and sports games and smile, unflinchingly, into the camera.

It not only went viral, but it tied into the core premise of Smile and the notion of being haunted by an entity that causes its victims to grin uncontrollably. If you haven't seen Smile 2 already, we suggest you give those facial muscles a stretch and sample the beginning at home for free.