Ready Or Not 2: Here I Come Review
It really felt like Ready Or Not was one of those horror-slashers that changed the game for modern day horror films. Although the concept of game-like horror films aren’t unfamiliar (see the gruesome Saw franchise), Radio Silence created something that was exciting to watch. Using hide and seek as a means for a rich, cult-like billionaire family to hunt and kill their victims as a rite of passage? Who wouldn’t want to see that? The duo behind the 2022’s Scream, Scream VI, and Abigail answered that need with their femme fatale-esque slasher that balances sharp humor with intense horror quite nicely. Now, Radio Silence returns with Ready Or Not 2: Here I Come, which is a feat of its own.
Ready Or Not 2: Here I Come picks right after the first film, where Grace (Samara Weaving) is still recovering from the Le Domas family’s attack. Although Grace’s sister, Faith (Kathryn Newton), tries to make amends with her, the two suddenly find themselves in the hands of the shadowy High Council. With a void of power that needs to be filled, Grace and Faith must try to repair their relationship all while escaping from the rivaling families that seek to claim this power for themselves.
Given this synopsis, it’s made very clear that Radio Silence would want to go bigger with Ready Or Not 2: Here I Come. While the first film may have focused on the basics of capitalistic control through a single family, this film really takes it up a notch. Here, directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett make it clear that everything is run by sadistic, self-centered moguls who are only out for themselves. It’s shot and composited in a montage-like way that quickly identifies who are the real dangers to Grace and Faith: the Danforth siblings, Ursula (Sarah Michelle Gellar) and Titus (Shawn Hatosy). Both of them pose the real threat to the sisters and it is by their hand that leads to some of the film’s most gruelling moments.
Both Ursula and Titus prove to be a force to be reckoned with, being straightforward psychopaths who want nothing but control over all. However, the film tries to tip the scales every now and then between the two Danforths, both psychologically and emotionally. Initially, it seems like Ursula is in charge of everything, downplaying her brother’s rudeness as a means to put herself forward. Gellar’s performance does a good job in emphasizing this point until the later parts of the second act, where Hatosy goes full American Psycho against Grace and Faith.
The way that Titus develops from being a brooding, moody, distressing mess to a savage brutalist is one of the stronger points of the film. In particular, his physical actions towards Faith, who he grows this cold, yet predatory attachment for, really emphasizes his cunning manipulation. He truly hates both Grace and Faith with all his guts, but there’s something about his hate for Faith, in part due to her first act violence, that makes him terrifying. Although some of his moments of dialogue can be seen as somewhat disturbingly comedic, especially in the first act, Titus is still a ruthless monster. All props go to Hatosy for making Titus a scary killer.
All of this Danforth sibling talk in Ready Or Not 2: Here I Come loops back into the main relationship with Grace and Faith. The film follows the tropes of fortifying that siblinghood, using Faith’s distancing from Grace’s life as a foundation. There are the moments where Grace and Faith are given moments to make amends, which are inserted in between the violent fights here and there. Although these moments gradually become more overly dramatic later on, there’s enough natural dialogue between the two that makes these calming scenes work. Newton’s chemistry with Weaving also lends itself to creating enough emotional depth for that sisterhood to really work.
That said, most fans of Ready Or Not are watching for the explosive, bloody violence and kills the original was known for. Fortunately, it doesn’t disappoint as it allows each of the moguls, and their family members, to share the spotlight equally. There’s a lot of bullet action, especially in the second and final acts, but also tightly shot close combat scenes that let the “slasher” element shine through. Particularly, there’s a fun action sequence set to Bonnie Tyler’s “Total Eclipse of the Heart” where Grace and her rival (that being Alex’s former girlfriend), try to take each other out while pepper-sprayed. It’s all hilarious, but when Titus beating up Faith mirrors that fight, one can’t help but to wish all the best.
Due to Ready Or Not 2: Here I Come’s need to double up on everything, this also means that it really digs into the supernatural and logistical element of it all. While the original film kept this element somewhat vague and mysterious, Radio Silence went all in with the Le Baille dark religious cult shenanigans. While this means that the film can somewhat overexplain its premise and its rules, it also means that it tries to fill in those narrative gaps that didn’t need filling. This is seen particularly with the loopholes and deal-making done with the Lawyer (Elijah Wood), but Wood’s meticulous, yet sinister performance is just charming enough to make this entertaining.
Ready Or Not 2: Here I Come is a bloody good time and a satisfying follow-up to Radio Silence’s unrelenting original movie. Samara Weaving and Kathryn Newton’s sisterly chemistry carries the film, but Shawn Hatosy goes above and beyond with his ruthless performance. Although it may feel like it can become overzealous with its supernatural elements and overclarifications, it’s still entertaining enough to keep audiences hooked.
Rating: ★★★★
Ready Or Not 2: Here I Come releases in theaters on March 20.
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Christopher Gallardo is a freelance entertainment writer and critic. While not running The Reel Roller, Chris can be found writing reviews and breakdowns on all things films and TV. Outside of entertainment writing, he’s currently taking classes for a Bachelor’s of Science with a minor in Digital Media & Journalism. Plus, he loves Percy Jackson, animated films and shows, and Fallout! Follow Christopher on Instagram & X.