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The Sinister Smile: 5 Shocking Facts About Ray Nicholson's Paul Hudson In Smile 2

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The horror sequel Smile 2 (also known as Smile: V) has cemented its place as one of the most unsettling films of the year, and a significant part of its chilling success is the unnerving performance by Ray Nicholson as the deceased boyfriend, Paul Hudson. As of December 19, 2025, the conversation around Nicholson’s role continues to dominate horror forums, not just for the sheer terror he embodies, but for the profound, meta-textual connection he brings to the entire horror genre.

This article dives deep into the character of Paul Hudson, exploring the deliberate creative choices that made his presence so impactful, the shocking plot details surrounding his death, and the incredible legacy he channels—a legacy that directly links him to one of the most iconic horror performances of all time. We break down everything you need to know about the man behind the new face of fear and the tragic arc of his character.

Ray Nicholson: Full Biography and Profile

Ray Nicholson, born Raymond Nicholson, has quickly emerged from the shadow of his legendary father to carve out his own distinct career in Hollywood. His role in Smile 2 is arguably his most recognized performance to date, but his filmography is already diverse, spanning genres from comedy to drama.

Personal Details:

  • Full Name: Raymond Nicholson
  • Date of Birth: February 20, 1992
  • Age (2025): 33 years old
  • Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California, U.S.
  • Parents: Jack Nicholson (Actor) and Rebecca Broussard (Actress)

Career Highlights (Selected Filmography):

  • Television: The Benchwarmers (2006), Mayans M.C. (2018), Panic (2021)
  • Film: The Benchwarmers (2006), A Reunion (2014 - Assistant Director role), Boots (2015 - Assistant Director role), Promising Young Woman (2020), Smile 2 (2024)
  • Breakthrough Role: Paul Hudson in Smile 2 (2024)

Nicholson’s early career saw him explore behind-the-scenes roles, including working as an assistant director on films like A Reunion and Boots. However, his pivot to acting has garnered significant attention, with his role in the critically acclaimed Promising Young Woman showcasing his dramatic range before he took on the terrifying visage of Paul Hudson.

The Tragic Arc of Paul Hudson and the Curse's Transfer

The character of Paul Hudson is central to the plot of Smile 2, serving as the catalyst for the new protagonist’s terrifying ordeal. Paul is introduced as a deceased actor and the former boyfriend of pop superstar Skye Riley, played by Naomi Scott.

The film reveals that Paul’s death, which occurred a year before the main events, was a tragic and chaotic event. Skye Riley is in recovery, haunted by the memory of the night Paul died in a car accident.

Paul Hudson's Role in the Smile Entity's New Victim

Paul's character is crucial because he represents the initial trauma that makes Skye vulnerable. The film's lore dictates that the Smile Entity, or curse, transfers from one victim to another after the victim commits suicide, often in a shocking or violent manner, in front of a witness.

However, the sequel twists this formula. Skye is not the direct witness to Paul's death in the traditional sense of the curse's transfer. Instead, her trauma and guilt over their toxic relationship and his death are the open wounds the Entity exploits. Paul's death is the dark secret that drives the narrative.

The curse officially transfers to Skye after she witnesses the gruesome suicide of her drug dealer, Lewis, who had previously been exposed to the Entity. From that point on, Paul Hudson returns, not as the man she loved, but as one of the Entity's terrifying, smiling manifestations, designed to torment her.

The Chilling Homage: Ray Nicholson Channels Jack Torrance

The most discussed and critically praised aspect of Ray Nicholson's performance is the deliberate and chilling homage to his father, Jack Nicholson. Director Parker Finn openly admitted that the casting was partially a nod to the horror classic, The Shining, a film in which Jack Nicholson delivered one of the most iconic and terrifying performances in cinema history as Jack Torrance.

The "Creepy Grin" Connection

In Smile 2, Ray Nicholson's Paul Hudson appears in several harrowing sequences, manifesting as a hallucination to Skye Riley. The Entity uses Paul's familiar face to deliver its signature, unnerving, wide-mouthed smile. This "creepy grin" instantly draws parallels to Jack Torrance's descent into madness and his famous, maniacal facial expressions in The Shining.

The director, Parker Finn, noted that Ray Nicholson delivered a powerful audition, and while the connection to his father was a bonus, Ray’s ability to channel that specific, unsettling madness was undeniable. The visual and thematic link elevates the horror, giving the sequel a meta-textual layer of dread that fans of classic horror immediately appreciated.

A Legacy of Madness in Horror

By casting Jack Nicholson's son in a role that requires him to embody a terrifying, smiling, corrupted figure, Smile 2 taps into a deep, cultural memory of horror. It suggests that the madness and terror can be inherited or at least echoed across generations. This creative decision not only provided a strong hook for the film's marketing but also added significant topical authority to the sequel, positioning it as a work that understands and respects the history of the genre. The Entity's manifestation of Paul Hudson, therefore, becomes a double terror: the horror of the curse itself, combined with the unsettling echo of Jack Torrance's iconic, ax-wielding grin.

5 Key Facts About Ray Nicholson's Role in Smile 2

The character of Paul Hudson is a complex figure, crucial to the film's success. Here are the five most essential facts about his role and performance:

  1. Paul Hudson is a Deceased Movie Star: Paul is established as a successful, but troubled, actor who was in a relationship with the main character, Skye Riley, before his untimely death.
  2. The Role is an Homage to The Shining: Director Parker Finn deliberately cast Ray Nicholson to create a meta-horror connection to his father, Jack Nicholson's, performance as Jack Torrance.
  3. He Appears as a Terrifying Hallucination: Paul Hudson is one of the primary forms the Smile Entity takes to torment Skye Riley, appearing with the signature, wide, unnatural grin.
  4. His Death is the Source of Skye's Trauma: The car accident that killed Paul is the central traumatic event that leaves Skye emotionally vulnerable, allowing the Entity to feed on her fear and guilt after the curse transfer.
  5. Nicholson Auditioned for the Role: Despite the obvious connection to his father, Ray Nicholson's casting was secured through a strong audition, proving his merit for the demanding psychological horror role.

Topical Entities and LSI Keywords in Smile 2

The success of Smile 2 relies on a strong network of characters and themes. Understanding these entities provides a complete picture of the film's narrative depth:

  • Skye Riley (Naomi Scott): The pop star protagonist and the Entity's main target. Her fame and public image are central to the sequel's themes.
  • Parker Finn: The director and writer who returned for the sequel, ensuring continuity in the film's terrifying aesthetic and psychological horror elements.
  • The Smile Entity: The supernatural force that possesses victims, feeding on their trauma before forcing them to commit suicide with a grotesque smile.
  • Lewis (Lukas Gage): The character whose suicide transfers the curse to Skye Riley, bridging the gap between Paul Hudson's death and Skye's infection.
  • Kyle Gallner: The actor who reprised his role as Joel from the first Smile film, connecting the two narratives and providing a sense of ongoing lore.
  • Rosemarie DeWitt: Portrays Skye Riley's manager, adding a layer of professional and personal pressure to the star's deteriorating mental state.

Ray Nicholson’s portrayal of Paul Hudson is more than just a supporting role; it is a critical piece of the film’s mythology and its most effective piece of meta-commentary. By channeling the unsettling energy of his father's most iconic horror role, Nicholson delivers a performance that will be remembered as one of the most chilling aspects of the modern horror landscape.

ray nicholson smile 2
ray nicholson smile 2

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