Get ready for another wild ride as the highly anticipated sequel, Ready or Not 2: Here I Come, has arrived, promising more of the blood-curdling screams and dark humour that made the original a cult hit. Seven years after Grace Le Domas narrowly escaped a night of murderous marital traditions, the story plunges us back into the chaos, but with a significant escalation.
A Twisted Family Game, Amplified
The follow-up picks up immediately after the events of the first film, with Grace (Samara Weaving) surviving the ordeal of her wedding night. However, her survival has propelled her into a new, even more perilous stage of the Le Domas family’s deadly game. This time, she’s not alone. Her estranged sister, Faith (Kathryn Newton), is now thrust into the nightmare alongside her. To survive, Grace must not only protect Faith but also ascend to the “High Seat of the Council,” a shadowy organisation that apparently wields considerable global influence. The stakes are higher than ever, as four rival families are also vying for control of this powerful throne, making Grace and Faith the targets of a ruthless, world-spanning power struggle.
Critical Reception: A Mixed Bag, But Audiences Rejoice
While critics have delivered a range of opinions, generally awarding the film two to three stars, audiences seem to be embracing the sequel with open arms. On the popular review aggregate website Rotten Tomatoes, Ready or Not 2 boasts a respectable 75 per cent critic score and an impressive 90 per cent audience score. It has also garnered a 7/10 rating on IMDb, indicating a strong connection with viewers.
Critics have noted the film’s reliance on the established iconography of its predecessor. Clarisse Loughrey from The Independent, in her three-star review, commented that the film “is exhaustingly attached to any image from the first film it deems ‘iconic’.” However, she conceded that the original was “at least early to the ‘eat the rich’ trend, and still feels more emotionally honest than a lot of what came after.” Loughrey also singled out Sarah Michelle Gellar’s performance, likening her to her iconic role as Kathryn Merteuil in Cruel Intentions, stating the actor “is always at her best when she’s able to slink back into the venomous skin of Kathryn Merteuil.”
Harry Stainer of Empire also awarded the film three stars, remarking, “While this game feels a little too familiar on a second go-around, when all the pieces are in play, this is still a fun, blood-splattered ride.” He added that the “double-or-nothing approach means there are fewer surprises this time around. Yet as Weaving’s endlessly watchable bride gets even bloodier, it’s hard not to crack a smile at the relentless fun.”
Alissa Wilkinson of The New York Times found the sequel to be a worthy successor, writing, “‘Ready or Not 2: Here I Come’ is a worthy sequel, repeating some of the same beats as its predecessor, but cleverly reinvented so that it’s still unpredictable and hilariously bizarre.”
However, not all reviews were as positive. Benjamin Lee from The Guardian gave the film two stars, noting, “There’s even more screaming, running, swearing and exploding rich people in a follow-up to the 2019 sleeper hit that expands mythology we didn’t need expanded.” He felt the film leaned more towards action-comedy, describing it as “something closer to a John Wick wannabe.”
Similarly, Tim Robey of The Telegraph also gave it a two-star rating, labelling it “screechy, obnoxious and formulaic.” Robey’s critique was particularly harsh, stating, “Ready or Not 2 has way fewer laughs than its fun predecessor, zero scares, no surprises, the same old gore, and characters who aren’t even enjoyably loathsome. It is somehow both laborious and spirit-sappingly formulaic.”
For context, the original Ready or Not received widespread acclaim, with four-star reviews, an 89 per cent critic score, and a 78 per cent audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, alongside a 6.9/10 on IMDb.
Release Details
Ready or Not 2: Here I Come had its premiere at the SXSW Film Festival on March 13 and subsequently hit cinemas on March 20.
Key Themes Explored:
- The “eat the rich” trope and its evolution in horror-comedy.
- The dynamics of familial obligation and betrayal under extreme duress.
- The escalation of high-stakes, deadly games for power and control.
- The resilience of the protagonist in the face of overwhelming odds.
Character Development:
- Grace Le Domas’s transformation from victim to a more seasoned survivor.
- The introduction of Faith, adding a new layer of personal stakes for Grace.
- The exploration of the wider Le Domas family and their global influence.
Comparison to the Original:
- While the sequel builds on the established narrative and tone, some critics feel it sacrifices originality for familiarity.
- Audiences, however, appear to be more forgiving, appreciating the continuation of the franchise’s unique blend of horror and dark comedy.
- The film expands the lore, which some reviewers found unnecessary, while others welcomed the deeper dive into the world of the Le Domas family.
