It can be risky to release a sequel nearly seven years later. But when the original was a hit, and the producers found a high-ambition story that expands the original’s lore, a follow-up was almost inevitable. “Ready or Not,” the darkly funny horror-comedy from Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, now returns with “Ready or Not 2: Here I Come,” delivering bloodier carnage, higher stakes and all the chaotic fun that made the first 2019 movie so memorable.
- Rating: 3.5/5 stars
- Verdict: "Ready or Not 2: Here I Come" picks up immediately after the first film, delivering bloodier carnage, higher stakes, and darkly comic chaos. With Samara Weaving at her best, inventive kills, and wicked humor, it’s a thrilling and entertaining sequel, even if some of the magic has dulled.
- Where to watch: "Ready or Not 2" premieres in U.S. theaters on March 20
From the same team behind the original, this sequel leans hard into bloody mayhem, clever traps, and classic dark humor. “Ready or Not 2” is designed to entertain rather than make you overthink, which is exactly why I loved it. It’s a wild, chaotic ride that could make for a perfect night out with friends who like more comedic horror, or for anyone who wants to shut their brain off for 108 minutes. Plus, it ramps up into a thrilling, bloody showcase of female rage, which is always cathartic to watch.
Picking up right after the first film, Grace must protect her estranged sister while being hunted by four rival elite families in a deadly ritual game for ultimate power, where only survival wins. Starring Samara Weaving, Kathryn Newton, Sarah Michelle Gellar, and Elijah Wood, here’s why I urge you to watch “Ready or Not 2” on the big screen this weekend.
‘Ready or Not 2’ is even more chaotic than the original
I had confidence “Ready or Not 2” would be a good movie when it literally starts right after the first, with Samara Weaving’s character, Grace, stumbling out of the burning house in her torn wedding dress, drenched in blood. She sits on the steps, lights a cigarette as police arrive, and the camera zooms in on the dry, cracked blood on her face as she falls unconscious. She’s then moved to the back of an ambulance, where medics try to resuscitate her. During the moment her heart kicks back to life, we get flashes of the chaotic ordeal we saw in the 2019 movie before she wakes up.
However, what makes this so effective is that it’s filmed entirely in one continuous shot. It creates a real sense of urgency and reminds us that the sequel picks up immediately after the first film. Unfortunately, Grace has to endure more trauma just minutes after surviving a deadly game of hide-and-seek. Before the next wave of carnage begins, though, the movie introduces a new character: Grace’s estranged sister, Faith (Newton), who visits her in the hospital as her emergency contact. Instantly, these two feel like real siblings, with a lot of history.
Even though “Ready or Not 2” peppers in some backstory for the sisters, including moments of melodrama as they bicker and talk through their pasts, most viewers are probably here for the carnage. And thankfully, the sequel doesn’t waste time getting into the bloody stuff when they’re thrust into a nightmarish contest orchestrated by ruthless elite families. It may not push the action as relentlessly as the first film, choosing instead to lean into comedy. But don’t be fooled because the movie still delivers buckets of blood and gruesome, sometimes explosive deaths.
“Ready or Not 2” is a blast, making great use of its sprawling new setting (a massive estate, golf course, and casino) and welcome cast additions like Sarah Michelle Gellar and Elijah Wood. But I wouldn’t say it’s “better” than the first: the middle drags a little, feeling repetitive since we’ve seen this deadly game play out before. The violence against women, while fueling female rage and satisfying future revenge arcs, sometimes tips into gratuitous territory. Even with these flaws, it’s still a wild, entertaining ride for fans of the original.
Verdict: ‘Ready or Not 2’ ups the carnage for a familiar but exciting ride
Sequels like “Ready or Not 2: Here I Come” always come with high expectations. The first film nailed a perfect mix of horror, satire, and chaotic fun, so the real question is: stick to the formula or take it bigger? This one obviously has to go bigger, and mostly succeeds. It ramps up the gore and laughs while expanding the world in ways that make the original even more impactful. The movie fully embraces its tone, never shying away from the chaos or the carnage.
Packed with comedy and more buckets of blood, “Ready or Not 2” still manages to keep things exciting, even if it lacks some of the original’s magic. The sequel brims with gruesome surprises and proves once again that Samara Weaving is indispensable to modern horror. The game hasn’t changed, but you can’t help rooting for the same winner.
"Ready or Not 2: Here I Come" hits U.S theaters on March 20
