Smile 2's Netflix Release Sparks a Big Oscars Debate Over Naomi Scott & Inde Navarrette

The arrival of Smile 2 on Netflix is igniting a heated debate among viewers about awards recognition in horror. Fans revisiting Naomi Scott's performance in the sequel are comparing her to Obsession's Inde Navarrette, who received strong Oscar buzz. Moviegoers on X argue that Scott deserved the same level of mainstream recognition and awards chatter for Smile 2 that Navarrette received for Obsession. Film critic Paul Tassi wrote that the Astra Award winner is 'like 95% Inde Navarrette level in this and it was almost entirely ignored.' He added that the sequel is 'nuts.' Naomi Scott is like 95% Inde Naverrette level in this and it was almost entirely ignored I didn't like the first Smile but this one is nuts, worth it for her performance alone https://t.co/qsvJCI8mLw — Paul Tassi (@PaulTassi) September 4, 2026 Another X user, @OllyCromack, added that Scott's performance 'far supersedes Navarrette's performance in Obsession.' @MBIMunshi echoed a similar opinion, writing, '[Scott] deserved as much praise for her performance' as Navarrette did for Obsession. Naomi Scott delivered one of the best horror performances of all time. And she did that in a sequel ?!? And no major screen role for her ever since ?!?!?! Auteurs, studios, mini majors, star producers, award voters, you ALL failed her. Time to right that wrong. https://t.co/iNMo7sP1BR — Phantom (@effoff1988) September 3, 2026 @effoff1988 called the 33-year-old's work 'one of the best horror performances of all time. They argued that studios, producers, and award voters had failed to recognize her talent.' @upperupland also pointed out that 'Naomi Scott got zero Oscar buzz when Smile 2 came out…okay.' @zerowontmiss posted, 'Literally insane how Naomi Scott didn't get the same praise as Inde Navarrette. Naomi is still a hidden gem to Hollywood, I guess.' Inde Navarrette's Oscar buzz continues to grow after Obsession Navarrette has emerged as a major awards-season talking point after her breakout role in 2025's horror film, Obsession. The actress received huge acclaim from both critics and audiences. Focus Features recently launched an Oscar campaign for the film, with Navarrette being considered for Best Actress. In an interview, the actress expressed her opinion amid the growing Oscar buzz. The 25-year-old said, 'If I'm even invited, it'll be so cool to sit in that theater and experience in real life what I've loved watching.' The breakout actress is set to make her MCU debut as Rogue in the upcoming X-Men reboot. Apart from that, she is also leading a survival thriller project titled Invertigo. Originally reported by Manoj Chekkilla on ComingSoon.net.