The darkly comedic horror sequel, Ready or Not 2: Here I Come, arrives seven years after its surprisingly effective predecessor, and at a moment when the “eat the rich” subgenre feels…well, a little overdone. The original 2019 film, starring Samara Weaving, tapped into anxieties about wealth and privilege with a gleefully chaotic premise: a bride discovering her new in-laws participate in a deadly game of hide-and-seek. Although it wasn’t the first to poke fun at the ultra-rich, it landed before a wave of similar titles – The Menu, Triangle of Sadness, Knives Out – cemented the trope. This follow-up, directed once again by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, attempts to raise the stakes, but largely succeeds in delivering a bigger, louder, and ultimately less satisfying experience. The question of what happens after surviving a literal bloodbath is a compelling one, and Ready or Not 2 dives headfirst into the absurd logic of expanding that premise.
The film picks up immediately after the events of the first, with Grace (Weaving) recovering in the hospital after a night of unimaginable violence. The initial scenes grapple with the realistic aftermath of such trauma – the police investigation, the disbelief, the sheer logistical nightmare of explaining what happened. It’s a brief but intriguing exploration of the fallout, reminiscent of Jordan Peele’s unsettlingly grounded ending to Get Out. Yet, the writers, Guy Busick and R Christopher Murphy, quickly pivot back to the action. Grace’s survival, it turns out, has ignited a global conflict between powerful, Satanic families, each vying for dominance. Now, she’s not just facing one twisted family, but multiple, all determined to kill her before dawn.
This escalation is where the sequel begins to stumble. The original film’s contained chaos was part of its charm. Expanding the mythology to a global power struggle feels unnecessarily convoluted, pushing the film closer to the territory of a convoluted superhero franchise than a tight, suspenseful horror. The stakes, now ridiculously high – control of the planet, no less – feel incongruous with the film’s inherent silliness. The film’s trailer, released in March 2024, offered a glimpse of the increased gore and action sequences, showcasing a death by industrial washing machine as a standout moment. https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/7K3sNRm8J0w?wmode=opaque&feature=oembed" title="READY OR NOT 2: HERE I COME | Official Trailer | Searchlight Pictures" height="480" width="854" allowfullscreen="
A Fractured Family Dynamic and Familiar Tropes
Central to the sequel is the introduction of Grace’s estranged sister, Faith (Kathryn Newton), who, as fans of the directing duo’s previous work will recognize, also starred in the 2024 horror film Abigail. The attempt to build a fractured sister dynamic adds a layer of emotional complexity, but it feels underdeveloped. The dialogue often feels clunky and expository, with characters delivering information dumps that serve the plot rather than feeling organic. Elijah Wood, playing a lawyer, is tasked with explaining the increasingly absurd rules of this deadly game, and the scenes feel more like a lecture than a natural progression of the story.
While Newton gamely tries to inject life into her role, Weaving feels somewhat constrained, her performance lacking the spark of the original. She’s reduced to a collection of “final girl” tropes – the knowing eye-rolls, the obligatory cigarette – without the opportunity to truly explore the psychological toll of her experiences. The casting choices, however, offer some genuine fun. Wood is joined by Shawn Hatosy, his co-star from the cult classic The Faculty, and Sarah Michelle Gellar, the iconic vampire slayer, both of whom seem to be enjoying the ride.
Lost in the Mythology
The film’s biggest weakness lies in its self-awareness. Like its predecessor, Ready or Not 2 is more interested in creating potential merchandise – Funko Pops, Halloween costumes – than in developing compelling characters. The film’s visual style prioritizes iconography over genuine emotion, and the plot feels increasingly derivative, borrowing elements from John Wick, The Hunger Games, and even Battle Royale. The film’s tone, honed during its premiere at the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival, feels smug and calculated, aiming for a raucous, two-drinks-in vibe that ultimately falls flat.
The “rich people suck” messaging, while timely, feels tired and predictable. The film relies heavily on shouting, swearing, and discordant 80s soft rock ballads – Total Eclipse of the Heart makes a predictably jarring appearance – in an attempt to generate excitement. But these tactics feel clumsy and forced, lacking the subversive edge of the original. In a year already offering bolder and more inventive B-movie horror, such as Sam Raimi’s Send Help and the delightfully unhinged Primate, Ready or Not 2 feels surprisingly…creaky.
What’s Next for the Franchise?
Ready or Not 2: Here I Come delivers on spectacle, with a noticeable budget increase allowing for more elaborate gore and action sequences. However, it sacrifices the tight storytelling and subversive humor that made the original so appealing. The film’s attempt to expand the mythology ultimately feels like a misstep, turning a clever, contained horror-comedy into a convoluted action-thriller. As of April 26, 2024, Searchlight Pictures has not announced any plans for a third installment. However, given the film’s potential for franchise expansion, further developments are certainly possible.
Whether audiences will embrace a larger, more convoluted Ready or Not universe remains to be seen. For now, this sequel is best enjoyed as a disposable, albeit occasionally entertaining, diversion. What did you think of Ready or Not 2? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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