It seems like everywhere you look nowadays, you’re bound to see a hoard of sequels and continuations. That trend is especially true when it comes to the horror genre (take Scream 7, for example). It’s all fine and dandy if it works. But sequels can fall flat. I, however, did not feel that way about Ready or Not 2: Here I Come. Nothing about Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett’s 2019 dark comedy thriller necessarily posed the need for a continuation. But if they want to give it to us? Hey, I’m not complaining. Ready or Not 2: Here I Come is every bit the blood-soaked sequel we wanted.
I’m a slasher fan to my very core. From classics like Scream to more recent gems like the Fear Street trilogy, I love a good “masked killer hunts down the final girl” trope. When I first watched Ready or Not, I thoroughly enjoyed it. A movie about an unhinged, devil-worshipping, rich family hunting down a bride-to-be? What’s not to like? In fact, I liked Samara Weaving’s character, Grace Le Domas, so much that I think she’s one of the best modern day final girls. So, you can imagine how delighted I was to hear that the blood-soaked film was getting a sequel. For me, it did not disappoint.
Ready or Not 2: Here I Come raises the stakes, rounding up not just one blood-thirsty family, but an entire organization of psycho killers. Double or nothing. The movie has some pretty creative and enjoyable kills, which would be no fun for me to spoil here. As an added escalator, Grace isn’t just fighting for herself this time. Her estranged sister, Faith, has been dragged into the ritual, too.
Samara Weaving is in good company for the sequel, joined by Kathryn Newton, Elijah Wood, Shawn Hatosy, and horror legend Sarah Michelle Gellar. The cast is truly one of the best parts of the film. Their incessant bickering and attempts to outwit one another make for a delightful watch. Something I immediately noticed is that the movie leaned a bit more into the comedic side than its predecessor. That’s not to say it isn’t still packed with its fair share of violence and tense moments (because it absolutely is). I’d go as far as to say it’s even bloodier than the first. Like, a pool’s worth bloodier. I wouldn’t be surprised if fake blood made up half the budget.
The sequel picks up immediately where the first leaves off: Grace in a torn, blood-stained wedding gown on the front steps of the blazing Le Domas mansion. After narrowly surviving being sacrificed in a deadly game of hide and seek, first responders rush Grace to the hospital. You’d think the nightmare is over, but no. There’d be no need for a sequel if that were true. Since cops have no idea what actually happened to the Le Domas’, Grace is being billed for murder. To make matters worse, five even deadlier families are now after her. Surprise, surprise! The game isn’t over. They capture Grace and her sister Faith, who was at the wrong place at the wrong time.
In this double-or-nothing round, Grace and Faith must work together as the council families hunt for blood—only this time, the winner takes it all. Total control of the entire world. The whole thing is overseen by a stoic lawyer played by Elijah Wood, who is kinda just there the whole time.
With the inclusion of Faith, family dynamics becomes one of the sequel’s central themes. We knew next to nothing about Grace’s previous life in the first movie, only that she was adopted. It’s nice to finally see more about Grace’s past. The sisters’ estranged relationship adds another layer of conflict as they fight to survive. They must push past their differences if they want to live. The council families have complicated dynamics of their own, especially the Danforth twins.
In addition, Ready or Not: Here I Come builds on the lore surrounding Mister Le Bail and the game. The devil-worshipping families hunting down Grace and Faith are called the council families. Together, they control pretty much the whole world. That influence is held in a highly-coveted ring. Whoever wears it has all the power. With how memorable the ending of Ready or Not was, I had expectations that the sequel would go even bigger. And, oh boy, does it. It’s an absolute bloodbath that might make your head explode.
Despite this review sounding a bit glamorized, I don’t think the movie is perfect. Does the pacing feel off in some moments? Sure. Is it a beautifully cinematic, deeply symbolic film? Of course not. But that’s also not the point. It’s intended as a fun, violent slasher flick where you can simply turn your brain off for 90 minutes and enjoy. And that’s exactly what it gives. Samara Weaving is, and always will be, an iconic scream queen that has my whole heart.
Ready or Not: Here I Come hits theaters on March 20.