The Dean of Cinema

Written by Dean Zarbaugh II

Double or nothing. Moments after surviving an all-out attack from the Le Domas family, Grace discovers she’s reached the next level of the nightmarish game — and this time with her estranged sister Faith at her side. Grace has one chance to survive, keep her sister alive, and claim the High Seat of the Council that controls the world. Four rival families are hunting her for the throne, and whoever wins rules it all.

I was a little late to the Ready or Not party the first time around, but I made sure not to miss round two. Everything about the first film is amped up to 100 this time around and it’s a lot of fun from start to finish.

Samara Weaving returns as Grace, the bride whose wedding night took a sinister turn in the first film when her eccentric new in-laws forced her to take part in a terrifying game of hide and seek. She survived the night, watched an entire family spontaneously combust, and just when she thought she was out, the game pulls her back in. Turns out that Grace’s in-laws, the Le Domas family were one of six on a council of devil-worshipping families that run the entire world. They held the highest position on the council and with them eliminated, the chair is up for grabs. How? Easy. Whoever kills Grace Le Domas wins the seat and power over the council. Unfortunately, Grace’s estranged sister, Faith (Kathryn Newton) gets caught in the middle of all this, so now Grace must keep Faith and herself alive until dawn.

The Ready or Not franchise is built on a ludicrous premise, but it leans into that premise with great effect. Obviously there would be a secret devil-worshipping cabal pulling the strings all over the world. Obviously, it would filled with the most psychotic, unstable and outlandish individuals ever assembled. Of course they would hunt “normies” and treat them like cattle. They’re the biggest douchebags on the planet, hellbent on seeking power, and don’t care who they have to step over in their own families to get it. It’s one of the best tales of how power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. I love the sibling theme involved throughout the story. You have Grace and Faith who are working to rehabilitate their relationship, but are still at each other’s throats at times, Ursula and Titus vying for the seat for different reasons, and Francesca and Felipe who don’t hate each other despite their looney father, Ignacio. The ones who are successful are the ones who work together.

Directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin & Tyler Gillett return to helm this epic sequel, as do writers Guy Busick & R. Christopher Murphy. Bettinelli-Olpin & Gillet bring a similar look and vibe as the first film, while also keeping things fresh. The camera is constantly moving, or right up close to the actors’ faces. Combined with the sharp writing of Busick and Murphy, the pacing is lightning quick right out of the gate, wasting no time, and keeps its foot on the gas for the next 108 minutes. It’s a fun ride from start to finish. The gore effects are top notch again. Weaving, Newton and company get absolutely drenched in blood throughout.

The editing by Jay Prychidny really helps tie everything together. The way he cut Grace and Francesca’s fight scene post macing is hysterical. A lot of times editing gets overlooked (even by me in some of my reviews), but it’s one of the most important jobs and if done right, it’s seamless. Prychidny did exactly that.

The new and returning cast is a cavalcade of horror icons:

Samara Weaving is back as the scream queen that she is, which is ironic given that my introduction to her was in Bill & Ted Face the Music. She’s made an insane career out of horror films with Ready or Not, Azrael, Mayhem, Borderline, and more. She’s a gifted performer who captivates you and keeps you glued to the screen. She’s not only having to navigate surviving another night of being stalked like prey, but also her complicated relationship with her younger sister Faith. I loved the scene in the hospital at the beginning when she has to “suit up” in her bloody wedding dress and yellow Converse.

Kathryn Newton burst onto the scene in Ant-Man & The Wasp: Quantumania, and followed that up with appearances in Abigail, and then as the lead in the iconic Lisa, Frankenstein. She makes a great addition to the franchise and has wonderful chemistry with Weaving. They play off each other well and have a great sibling vibe. A lot of times movie casting can get siblings wrong, but Ready or Not 2 nailed it.

Filmmaker David Cronenberg makes a spectacular appearance as Chester Danforth, head of the Danforth family. His brief appearance shows the audience the level of power these families wield as Chester tells an anonymous phone caller to “accept the deal” right before a newsflash appears on his screen announcing the acceptance of the deal. He is delightfully twisted and demented, but also clearly wants the most for his children.

Speaking of his children, Ursula Danforth is played by horror icon Sarah Michelle Gellar. That’s right, Buffy herself has come to Ready or Not. Ursula is another power hungry member of this cabal, willing to do whatever it takes to ensure the Danforth’s win. She’s even willing to sell out her own brother to get sole power instead of sharing it with Titus.

Shawn Hatosy’s Titus is a bloodthirsty psychopath, willing to kill anyone to get his way, even if that means family. He is impulsive, brash, and tired of being manipulated by those around him. When he sees his chance to take everything for himself, he doesn’t hesitate.

Elijah Wood was delightful throughout Ready or Not 2, serving as The Lawyer for the LeBail estate, which set the rules that the families must follow in order to maintain Mr. LeBail’s favor. Wood has done an excellent job of shedding his hobbit fame by taking the odd, quirky roles like the lead in FX’s American remake of the show Wilfred, which saw Elijah Wood’s character imagining his dog is a human in a costume. It’s as bonkers as it sounds and worth the watch. Wood is quiet, but commanding in his scenes as he is the ultimate say so in the rules of the game. He takes an almost giddy delight in watching the families battle each other for power.

Maia Jae was one of my favorite performers in the film. Her portrayal of Francesca, the whiny, petulant child of Nestor Carbonell’s Ignacio instantly grabbed me. From the moment she walked on screen, I was ready for the character to meet her end. Excellent work from Jae who put her all into the role and clearly had fun with it. The fight scene between her and Grace is brutal and funny at the same time. She fit in well in the Ready or Not universe.

Ready or Not 2: Here I Come is entirely batshit insane but that’s why I loved every minute of it. It’s a rare sequel that holds the same level of quality as the original, without watering down the premise at all. It expands the world set up in the first film, and leaves audiences asking “where could the franchise go next?”

GRADE: B+