A hysterical, bloody sequel that continues Grace's deadly game of survival
In the summer of 2019, Searchlight Pictures released a small comedy-horror movie called Ready or Not. The premise of the film is that, on their wedding night, the newest member of the Le Domas family must play a game, and that, when Grace (Samara Weaving; Bill & Ted Face the Music) married Alex Le Domas (Mark O'Brien; Arrival), she had to pick a card. Unfortunately, the card and ensuing game were dangerous, with deadly consequences. The movie grossed $57 million on a $6 million budget, making it a hit. Seven years later, the sequel, Ready or Not 2: Here I Come, is set to hit theaters on March 20. 2026. Can it live up to its predecessor? Catch it in a theater near you and decide for yourself.
Ready or Not 2: Here I Come picks up immediately where the first film ends, with Grace smoking a cigarette, sitting on the steps outside the Le Domas mansion as it burns to the ground. Suddenly, Grace collapses and wakes up in the hospital, handcuffed to a bed under suspicion of murder and arson. Just as she is learning all this, her estranged sister, Faith (Kathryn Newton; Freaky), shows up at the hospital. The next thing Grace knows is that as she is being taken to the police station for questioning, a man shows up at the hospital, kills the police detective, and tries to kill her.
Grace and Faith are then kidnapped and brought to the Danforth hotel, where Grace is told that by killing the Le Domas family, they have left a seat open on the council, and that for the other families to win the "high seat," they must kill her. Once again, Grace and now Faith, are being hunted in a game of life or death consequences. All Grace has to do is survive (again) until morning.
It is great that writers Guy Busick (Final Destination: Bloodlines) and R. Christopher Murphy (Castle Rock) returned for the sequel, and that they are once again joined by directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett (Abigail). The movie is hysterical, sarcastic, and witty, and it offers plenty of action and blood (as bodies explode once again). It is because of these four individuals that the first film was such a success. They bring the same sense of humor to this sequel, and I found myself laughing out loud numerous times during the 108-minute runtime.
Also returning is Weaving, who is wonderful as Grace. She is equally great at the stunts as she is at the dialogue. Joining her this time is Newton, who is no stranger to comedic horror, and together they make the movie work. The rest of the cast includes Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Elijah Wood (The Lord of the Rings Trilogy), Shawn Hatosy (The Faculty), and David Cronenberg (Star Trek: Discovery). As with the first movie, Weaving is the standout, but she is better supported by the rest of the ensemble, who complement her very well, especially Newton.
The smart writing and wonderful direction from the first movie are also present in this sequel, which is one of many things that make it work so well. There is only one scene near the end that I felt dragged on too long; otherwise, I think Ready or Not 2: Here I Come is a well-executed sequel and lives up to the standards set by the first movie. If you loved the original, you will definitely like this one as well.
Grade: B
