The Chilling Homage: 5 Ways Ray Nicholson's Role In Smile 2 Channels The Shining's Madness

The horror sequel Smile 2, which premiered in late 2024, has become one of the most talked-about films of the year, not just for its terrifying premise but for a piece of "genius" casting that has sent chills down the spines of horror aficionados. As of December 10, 2025, the conversation remains centered on actor Ray Nicholson, son of Hollywood legend Jack Nicholson, whose supporting role as Paul Hudson is a deliberate, unnerving, and brilliant nod to his father's iconic performance in Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining. This deep dive explores the current buzz, the actor’s background, and the five specific ways his performance in the supernatural psychological horror film pays tribute to one of cinema’s most famous madmen.

The film, directed by Parker Finn, follows new protagonist Skye Riley (played by Naomi Scott), a global pop star who begins to experience increasingly disturbing events as the demonic entity from the first film latches onto her. Ray Nicholson’s character, Paul Hudson, is a key figure in this descent into terror, and his unsettling presence has cemented him as a breakout star in the horror genre, finally stepping out of his father’s shadow while simultaneously embracing the family's legacy of on-screen madness. The following sections provide the most current details about the actor and the chilling significance of his role.

Ray Nicholson: Full Biography, Profile, and Filmography

Raymond "Ray" Nicholson has been carving out his own career path in Hollywood, a journey that has now culminated in a high-profile, critically discussed role in Smile 2. While his lineage is undeniable, his work ethic and commitment to diverse roles speak for themselves. Here is a detailed look at his profile:

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• Full Name: Raymond Nicholson
• Date of Birth: February 20, 1992
• Age (as of 2025): 33
• Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, United States
• Parents: Jack Nicholson (Actor) and Rebecca Broussard (Actress/Model)
• Siblings: Lorraine Nicholson (Sister)
• Occupation: Actor, Producer
• Notable Early Works: *The Benchwarmers* (2006, uncredited), *A Reunion* (2014, short film)
• Breakout Television Role: Ray Nicholson is widely recognized for his role as Ray Hall in the 2021 Amazon Prime Video teen drama series, *Panic*.
• Key Filmography (Selected):
  • *The Outsider* (2018)
  • *The Big Break* (2019)
  • *Promising Young Woman* (2020)
  • *Licorice Pizza* (2021)
  • *Borderline* (2024)
  • *Smile 2* (2024) - As Paul Hudson

Nicholson’s recent work, especially in the horror genre with *Smile 2*, showcases his ability to handle complex, psychologically charged characters, moving beyond the shadow of his famous father and establishing his own unique presence in the industry.

The Genius Casting: Director Parker Finn's Homage to Jack Nicholson

The casting of Ray Nicholson as Paul Hudson was far from an accident; it was a carefully orchestrated decision by writer and director Parker Finn to enrich the film's psychological horror with a layer of meta-commentary. Finn confirmed in multiple interviews that the casting was a deliberate homage, specifically to Jack Nicholson’s performance as Jack Torrance in *The Shining* (1980). This decision taps into the collective subconscious of horror fans, using the actor’s resemblance to his father to amplify the film's atmosphere of dread and psychological instability.

Paul Hudson is introduced as a movie star with a troubled past who becomes entangled with Skye Riley's terrifying ordeal. His character provides a link to the original film’s themes of trauma and the infectious nature of the smiling entity. The director's choice immediately gives Ray Nicholson's character an unsettling familiarity, a subtle but powerful visual cue that hints at a deeper, possibly inherited, madness.

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The use of the Nicholson name, combined with the visual similarities, is a masterstroke of topical authority, connecting the modern horror sequel to the pantheon of classic psychological terror. This strategy ensures that every time Ray Nicholson’s face appears on screen, especially when he exhibits the titular, unsettling smile, the audience is immediately reminded of the chilling legacy of the Torrance family.

5 Ways Ray Nicholson's Performance Channels The Shining

The most compelling aspect of Ray Nicholson's work in *Smile 2* is how he deftly navigates his role, offering a performance that is both original and deeply respectful of his father's iconic horror work. The similarities are more than skin deep, extending into the psychological and thematic elements of the film. Here are five undeniable ways Ray Nicholson channels the madness of Jack Torrance:

1. The Unsettling, Familiar Grin

This is the most direct and frequently cited connection. Jack Nicholson's maniacal, wide-eyed grin in *The Shining* is one of the most recognizable images in horror cinema. In *Smile 2*, Ray Nicholson’s character, Paul Hudson, is shown to possess a similarly unsettling, stretched-out smile—a visual trait that is both a natural resemblance and a thematic necessity for a film centered on a malevolent, smiling entity. Director Parker Finn explicitly played on this, using Ray's natural "creepy grin" to evoke the Torrance madness.

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2. The Descent into Psychological Instability

Jack Torrance’s story is a slow, terrifying descent from a struggling writer to a homicidal maniac, fueled by the Overlook Hotel’s influence. While Paul Hudson's specific arc differs, his character is deeply connected to a troubled past and the psychological pressure cooker that is the *Smile* entity’s curse. Ray Nicholson portrays this instability with a palpable tension, suggesting a man on the edge, much like his father’s character, who is struggling against an unseen, mind-altering force.

3. The Use of Explosive, Unpredictable Energy

A hallmark of Jack Nicholson’s performances is the capacity for sudden, explosive shifts in mood, moving from calm to terrifying rage in an instant. Ray Nicholson’s Paul Hudson exhibits moments of unpredictable energy and intensity, keeping the audience and the lead character, Skye Riley, constantly on edge. This unpredictable nature is a subtle but effective technique to generate fear, mirroring the volatile and dangerous presence of Jack Torrance.

4. The Meta-Commentary on Legacy and Trauma

*The Shining* is fundamentally about generational trauma and the haunting legacy of the past. By casting Jack Nicholson’s son in a horror film about an infectious, smile-based curse, *Smile 2* creates a powerful piece of meta-commentary. Ray Nicholson is literally carrying a "legacy" of horror, making the film's themes of inescapable trauma and the burden of the past feel incredibly personal and relevant to his character's struggle. This deepens the topical authority of the sequel.

5. The Breakout Role in a Major Horror Franchise

While Jack Nicholson was already established before *The Shining*, that film cemented his status as a horror icon. Similarly, Ray Nicholson's role in *Smile 2* is a significant, high-profile project that is widely expected to be his career-defining moment, much like *The Shining* was for his father in the horror genre. The role of Paul Hudson has given Ray the platform to showcase his dramatic range and step fully into the spotlight, proving he can command attention in a major Hollywood franchise.

Smile 2: A New Chapter in Psychological Horror

Beyond the brilliant casting of Ray Nicholson, *Smile 2* (2024) succeeds by expanding the mythology of the original film, which starred Sosie Bacon and Kyle Gallner (who returns as Joel). The sequel shifts the focus from a therapist to a global pop star, Skye Riley, which allows director Parker Finn to explore the pressures of fame, public scrutiny, and the terrifying idea of a curse that spreads through viral, visual means—a perfect metaphor for the modern age.

The film’s plot, centered on Skye Riley’s impending world tour, raises the stakes considerably. The curse, which manifests as a terrifying, forced smile on its victims, is now placed on a person whose life is constantly in the public eye. This high-visibility setting ensures that the psychological torment is amplified by the unrelenting gaze of millions of fans and the press. The inclusion of new cast members like Lukas Gage and Rosemarie DeWitt, alongside Ray Nicholson's Paul Hudson, helps to flesh out this high-pressure, celebrity-driven world, making the horror feel both personal and globally threatening.

Ray Nicholson’s compelling performance as Paul Hudson is a crucial element that elevates *Smile 2* from a standard sequel to a must-see horror event. By embracing the lineage of *The Shining* and delivering a genuinely unnerving portrayal, Nicholson has not only honored his father’s legacy but has firmly established his own as a formidable presence in the world of psychological horror. Fans and critics agree that his performance is one of the most memorable aspects of this terrifying new chapter in the *Smile* franchise, ensuring the conversation around Paul Hudson and his chilling grin will continue well into 2025 and beyond.