Photo via IMDb
By Keith Walther | Rose Law Group Reporter
Exciting, funny, gruesome, and suspenseful are just some of the words that come to mind that describe this slasher horror film. “Ready or Not 2: Here I Come” is the sequel to the surprising success of the 2019 film, and despite the seven-year gap, it seems to recapture that same magic. Having the same directors, the same leading lady, and a bunch of new faces help keep this cat-and-mouse carnage feeling fresh and new.
Immediately following the events of the first film, Grace MacCaullay (Samara Weaving) has barely survived a deadly game of hide and seek, leaving all her in-laws dead. Unfortunately, she has no time to savor her victory and recover from her grievous wounds, because a powerful throne is now up for grabs and a satanic cult led by Titus (Shawn Hatosy) and Ursula Danforth (Sarah Michelle Gellar) must kill Grace to claim the power for themselves. As an added incentive for Grace to participate in this macabre game again, her estranged sister Faith (Kathryn Newton) has also been kidnapped and thrust into this den of devil worshippers. In order to survive round two, they must find a way to get over their troubled past and work together, but it won’t be easy with fully armed hunters on their tail.
The director team of Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett return to create another entertaining slasher/comedy. These two have not only helmed the first film, but also “Abigail” and “Scream VI,” which was easily the best film of the franchise in recent years. They seem able to do no wrong as they bring audiences back for this sequel that matches the original stride for stride. Their philosophical approach to all their films, including this one, is not to take themselves too seriously. Their pitch-black sense of humor mixed with visceral horror and gore create these surprising moments of laughter at the absurdity of them. They use humor to deflate tension, but they also achieve that perfect balance generating genuine thrills that bring the suspense right back into play. There is a scene that epitomizes this style, where the main character is squaring off against another woman in a ballroom. The two combatants blind each other with pepper spray, resulting in this hilarious, deadly dance of flailing all set to the song, “Total Eclicpse of the Heart.” It’s a priceless moment that stands out in all the right ways.
The creativity is not as prevalent in this movie as Matt and Tyler basically repeat the same exact plot format of the first film, just with different faces, which ultimately make this sequel a tad inferior. However, they incorporate small differences that keep the movie fresh enough, like introducing the estranged sister character. This allows them to emphasize an additional buddy comedy element, as well as a deeper emotional connection that supplies an extra incentive for the main character. It also results in greater character development as viewers are given more insight into the main character’s past. While the directors are able to explore the lore of this satanic cult a bit further, they get a little loosey-goosey with the rules, especially in the final act of the film that makes it seem a bit haphazard and off the cuff.
Another strength of the film is the cast, and it starts with Samara Weaving who retains her role from the first film. Her memorable scream from the 2019 film is arguably what set her star in motion, and her continued impactful screen presence has made her a legitimate leading lady. The niece of Hugo Weaving impressively advances her character from the first film to this sequel. She subtly incorporates the experience and trauma into this character, giving her realistic weariness and fatigue that makes her smarter yet weaker at the same time. The added emotional edge of having to replay this game not just for her own character’s survival but also for her character’s sister allows her to really delve into backstory and expand the emotional scope.
The role of the sister is specifically written with Kathryn Newton in mind, and it shows. The star of 2024’s “Lisa Frankenstein” provides an impulsiveness and ambivalent attitude that adds an extra measure of unpredictability to her character that perfectly balances Weaving. Her sarcastic sense of humor and well-timed line delivery provide viewers with more comedic moments.
Then there’s the supporting cast, which includes the main antagonists played by Shawn Hatosy and Sarah Michelle Gellar, as well as their mysterious family attorney who is the rule overseer, played by Elijah Wood. This is a reunion of sorts for Wood and Hatosy, who starred together in 1998’s “The Faculty.” Wood convincingly establishes a sense of stone-faced neutrality, while Hatosy harbors this sadistic violence that bubbles beneath the surface of a controlled blandness, making him a memorable villain. While there’s nothing particularly remarkable about Sarah Michelle Gellar’s performance, she still provides this sense of nostalgia, especially when she wields a weapon that is awfully similar to her iconic Buffy role.
It may not surpass the original, but this sequel offers all the bloodletting, laughter, and entertaining satisfaction that fans of the first film will certainly appreciate. If you enjoy comedic, over-the-top slashers, then “Ready or Not 2: Here I Come” is well worth a trip to the theater. You don’t necessarily need to see the first film, because they do a fine job of recapping the events early.
This movie earns:
