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The Chilling Homage: 5 Ways Ray Nicholson’s Smile 2 Role Channels His Father’s Iconic Horror

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The horror sequel Smile 2 has already cemented its place as a box-office hit, but one of the most talked-about elements is the chilling, brief, yet pivotal performance by actor Ray Nicholson. As of December 2025, the film is dominating conversations among horror fans, largely due to the deliberate and masterful way Nicholson's character, Paul Hudson, pays tribute to one of the genre’s greatest legends: his own father, Jack Nicholson. The film’s director, Parker Finn, has openly confirmed that casting the 33-year-old actor was a calculated move to evoke the same unsettling energy that made *The Shining* a masterpiece.

This deep dive explores the latest details on Ray Nicholson’s role, the plot of the 2024 supernatural psychological horror film, and the specific ways his performance as Paul Hudson echoes the iconic madness of Jack Torrance, making it a must-see for fans of the franchise and classic horror alike.

Raymond Nicholson: A New Generation of Hollywood Royalty

Before diving into his terrifying turn in *Smile 2*, it is important to understand the background of the actor who is quickly making a name for himself outside of his famous lineage. Ray Nicholson, whose full birth name is Raymond Broussard Nicholson, has been quietly building a diverse career in Hollywood for years.

He was born on February 20, 1992, in Los Angeles, California, making him 33 years old as of the current date. His parents are the legendary Academy Award-winning actor Jack Nicholson and actress Rebecca Broussard. While he is primarily known for acting, Ray Nicholson has also worked behind the scenes, including roles in the camera department and as an assistant director on various projects.

Selected Biography and Filmography:

  • Full Name: Raymond Broussard Nicholson
  • Date of Birth: February 20, 1992
  • Parents: Jack Nicholson and Rebecca Broussard
  • Notable Early Roles: *The Benchwarmers* (2006)
  • Breakout Roles: *The Outsider* (2018), *Promising Young Woman* (2020), and the Amazon Prime Video series *Panic* (2021)
  • Recent Projects: *Out of the Blue*, *Borderline*, and *Novocaine*
  • Current Acclaim: Paul Hudson in *Smile 2* (2024)

The Pivotal Role of Paul Hudson in Smile 2’s Terrifying Plot

Ray Nicholson’s character, Paul Hudson, is central to the psychological unraveling of the sequel’s main protagonist, pop superstar Skye Riley, played by Naomi Scott. The film, a sequel to Parker Finn’s 2022 sleeper hit *Smile*, shifts the demonic curse from a therapist to an international celebrity on the verge of a massive, sold-out world tour.

Paul Hudson is introduced as Skye Riley’s deceased boyfriend, who tragically died in a car accident one year prior to the events of the film. His death haunts Skye, and his memory is a constant source of grief and trauma. The *Smile* entity, which feeds on trauma and fear, exploits this vulnerability.

Nicholson’s appearance is brief but highly impactful. The curse manifests by making Skye see her dead friend, Paul, often in a terrifying, grotesque manner. It is in these demonic visions that the deliberate homage to his father’s work becomes most apparent, providing the film with some of its most unsettling and memorable jump scares.

5 Ways Ray Nicholson Channels Jack Nicholson’s Horror Legacy

Director Parker Finn was not subtle about the intention behind casting Ray Nicholson. He confirmed that the resemblance to his father was a key factor, aiming to tap into the legacy of Jack Nicholson’s iconic performance as Jack Torrance in Stanley Kubrick’s *The Shining* (1980). This artistic decision elevates the horror of *Smile 2* by layering it with a meta-textual chill that only a legacy casting could achieve.

1. The Creepy Grin and Unsettling Gaze

The most direct connection is the visual similarity. Ray Nicholson is said to channel his father’s "creepy grin" in the film, a look that instantly recalls the terrifying, wide-mouthed smile of Jack Torrance as he terrorizes his family in the Overlook Hotel. The demonic entity in *Smile 2* is defined by its unsettling, unnatural smile, and having Paul Hudson deliver this grin adds a layer of familiar, yet deeply disturbing, horror.

2. The Channeling of Madness

Paul Hudson's appearance is a vision of madness and trauma. *Smile 2* pays homage to *The Shining* by having Ray Nicholson’s character channel Jack Torrance’s descent into madness and violence. The psychological horror of the sequel, which focuses on Skye Riley's deteriorating mental state under the curse, mirrors the slow, terrifying psychological breakdown that defined Torrance’s character arc.

3. Exploiting Familial Trauma

Both films utilize a central figure whose presence is intrinsically linked to the protagonist's deepest trauma. In *The Shining*, Jack Torrance is the father who becomes the monster. In *Smile 2*, Paul Hudson is the deceased boyfriend whose memory is twisted by the entity to become the source of Skye Riley’s terror. The use of a loved one as the face of pure evil is a shared, devastating theme.

4. The Element of Isolation and Pressure

Jack Torrance was isolated in the Overlook Hotel, driven mad by the pressure of his writing. Skye Riley is isolated by her celebrity, trapped by the pressure of her upcoming tour, and unable to share her terrifying truth. Ray Nicholson’s role as the ghost of her past is a constant reminder of the external and internal pressures that are driving her to the brink, a narrative echo of the psychological torment in *The Shining*.

5. The Director's Intentional Meta-Casting

Unlike accidental resemblances, Parker Finn explicitly stated that the casting was an intentional homage. This meta-casting choice acknowledges the audience's knowledge of the Nicholson family legacy, making the horror more complex. When Ray Nicholson flashes that terrifying smile, the audience doesn't just see Paul Hudson; they see a ghost of horror past, a direct link to one of the most frightening performances in cinematic history. This connection enriches the topical authority of *Smile 2* within the horror genre, moving it beyond a simple sequel.

The Future of Ray Nicholson and the Smile Franchise

With *Smile 2* proving a massive success following its October 2024 release, the future looks bright for both the franchise and Ray Nicholson's career. His performance as Paul Hudson, though brief, is a masterclass in unsettling horror, demonstrating his ability to command the screen and step out of his father's shadow while simultaneously honoring his legacy.

Fans are already speculating about the possibility of a *Smile 3* and how the curse might continue to evolve. The inclusion of a high-profile pop star and the meta-homage to Jack Nicholson suggest that the franchise is keen to explore new, boundary-pushing ways to deliver its terrifying message. Ray Nicholson’s subtle yet chilling contribution ensures that the image of Paul Hudson’s demonic grin will be one of the most enduring takeaways from the 2024 horror landscape. His work here confirms that the new generation of Hollywood royalty is ready to deliver the kind of spine-chilling performances that define a genre.

ray nicholson smile 2
ray nicholson smile 2

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