In 2019, Ready or Not provided a fresh, bloody, and comical take on the classic hide-and-seek game. Now, Ready or Not 2: Here I Come aims to expand the lore and gore as Grace fights to survive even more psycho elites.
Ready or Not 2 Here I Come Review
It was an interesting concept, taking a children’s game like hide-and-seek and making it something sinister and deadly. That isn’t inherently new, plenty of films have taken harmless kid stories, songs, or beloved characters that have entered the public domain and made something no child needs to see. But team Radio Silence, directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett along with producer Chad Villella made it feel fresh, brutal, and most importantly fun. Samara Weaving’s Grace solidified herself as a new scream queen and everyone was wanting more. My question was where could they go from there that would be able to keep up the vibe of the first while moving the story forward in an interesting way. Turns out this time, Radio Silence decided to up the ante with something that plays like a bloody Knives Out meets John Wick.
Ready Or Not 2: Here I Come is a funny, gory, and messy follow-up to the 2019 breakout hit horror comedy. By introducing new players to the game, all with the goal to become the most powerful human on the planet, and some tedious yet hilarious rules, it aims to establish its own hour franchise, or at least get a trilogy out of the whole thing. There are twists, betrayals, and reveals that have some interesting implications for the future, even if their executions (no pun intended) are a little tenuous at best.
Picking up immediately after the events of the first film, Grace (Samara Weaving) finds herself almost instantly put back into the world she just barely escaped. The Le Domas family weren’t the only ones after Mr. Le Bail’s favor. Now that she has defeated them there is now a vacancy for the High Seat of the Council (a group that essentially controls the world). In order to fill the seat, several insane families appear to battle it out for the honor. Same game, same target, except this time Grace has help from her sister Faith (Kathryn Newton). If the sisters die, the ones who murdered them will take the seat. However, if the two survive to see sunset, all the rival family members will explode into a gross, bloody pulp.
Based on the synopsis alone you can see where the John Wick comparisons can be made. Sure it’s not a globe-trotting, precision-shooting, bulletproof suit-wearing adventure but having a High Council that needs a seat filled after a death is practically screaming High Table. Actually, this film more so reminded me of Knives Out, which is just a version of Clue (the superior murder mystery film). In fact, Elijah Wood’s unnamed Attorney comes across as a spiritual descendant of Tim Curry’s Butler with a dash of Keith Richard’s pirate code keeper. He is the best new addition to this franchise. The Lawyer is unassuming yet mischievous, serving up the rules and presiding over the chaos that ensues. And yes, there is one ring to rule them all. Seriously.
Weaving is a standout here once again. She throws herself into the physical and emotional demands of this role, channeling a justifiable rage while also staying snarky as one crazy thing after another happens. Weaving as the right amount of spirit and zeal for Grace. Newton is able to bring her own special energy to Faith and the two together are the emotional heart of the film. They have a complicated past and the two allow that to shine through as they are forced to work together to survive. They trade jabs, incredulous looks, and yeah one of them does something dumb just to stick it to the other. But it wouldn’t be a horror movie without ridiculous decisions.
Sarah Michelle Gellar and Shawn Hatosy play the rich, dark sibling counterparts to Grace and Faith. They have a twisted relationship and how they view their father’s legacy. I wish Gellar was able to be more free in this because at times it really felt like she was just there to take up space which is naturally a waste of her talent.
Despite the twists and revelations, the film is pretty formulaic. The pattern emerges quickly- run, hide/get caught, fight for your life. That doesn’t make it dull, just predictable. But again, there are few movies that can truly surprise you, especially genre ones. Olpin and Gillet clearly opted to stick to what worked with its predecessor for better or worse. Utilizing the exploding bodies effect to the point where you may be asking for a reprieve. Not because it’s nasty but because it’s overused. They could’ve branched out more, taken more risks, and maybe if another one happens they will swing for the fences and leave a blood-stained trail in their wake.
There is plenty to keep you engaged from start to finish, with plenty of carnage to go around. Most of these rich competitors are completely inept at doing anything for themselves, which makes killing someone extra difficult. They don’t even know how to use the weapons before them or they make horrible decisions about who to screw over and when. My favorite scene happened in a ballroom, where Grace finds herself in a duel. It’s dirty, exciting, and hilarious to watch. I will say I think Olpin and Gillett are adept at fusing action with comedy which will come in handy for The Mummy 4.
Verdict
Ready or Not 2: Here I Come is a funny, gory, and messy sequel that expands this universe where hide-and-seek is a deadly game. For fans of the carnage, Olpin and Gillett have once again delivered a bloody canvas for you to enjoy. If the deadpan humor was your favorite, it’s present and slicing through, sharp as ever. Standout performances from Weaving, Newton, and Wood elevate the proceedings and keep things flowing smoothly even when the plot gets a little wonky. It’ll be interesting to see what Grace and Faith have to face next if there is indeed a next. My guess is they will have to come face-to-face with the devil himself and that sounds like it could be a total blast.
Ready or Not 2: Here I Come is in theaters now. It is rated R for strong bloody violence, gore, pervasive language and brief drug use with a runtime of 1 hour 48 minutes.
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