Ready or Not 2: Here I Come Review – A Sequel That Screams Louder but Says Less
Samara Weaving returns as Grace in Ready or Not 2: Here I Come, a follow-up to the 2019 sleeper hit that blended comedy and horror with a satirical edge. This sequel, directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, arrives after a seven-year gap, expanding the mythology of devil-worshipping rich families but struggling to recapture the original's impact.
Plot Expansion and Logical Hurdles
The film picks up directly after the first movie, with Grace surviving the sacrificial game and being rushed to hospital. Faced with a baffled detective, the story quickly dives into a larger conflict. Elijah Wood's lawyer explains that by killing an entire bloodline, Grace has triggered a global battle for supremacy among Satanic families, who must hunt her before dawn. This plot twist elevates the stakes to ridiculously high levels, akin to superhero franchises, but feels forced and convoluted.
Returning writers Guy Busick and R Christopher Murphy prioritize action over depth, as Grace teams up with her estranged sister Faith, played by Kathryn Newton. The dynamic between the sisters is meant to add emotional weight, but it often falls flat, with dialogue that feels like info-dumps from a video game. Scenes are suffocated by exposition, making the narrative feel like a rulebook for a game no one wants to play.
Style Over Substance
With a marked budget increase, Ready or Not 2 delivers more inventively eye-catching gore, such as a standout death by industrial washing machine. However, the film shifts from horror to action comedy, resembling a John Wick wannabe with its loud set pieces and discordant 80s soft rock ballads like Total Eclipse of the Heart. The tone is smug and calculated, aiming for a raucous, two-drinks-in blast but often feeling clumsy and ineffective.
Samara Weaving's performance is high volume but low wattage, with Grace portrayed as a hard-to-root-for character full of knowing eye-rolls and generic trademarks. The supporting cast, including Shawn Hatosy and Sarah Michelle Gellar, have almost enough fun to engage the audience, but their efforts are overshadowed by the film's self-satisfied attitude.
Familiar Themes and Missed Opportunities
The sequel continues the "rich people suck" messaging, but it feels played out amidst a crowded subgenre that includes films like The Menu and Knives Out. Influences from John Wick and The Hunger Games are evident, yet the film lacks originality, relying on shouting, swearing, and predictable fight scenes. In a year with bolder B-movie examples, such as Sam Raimi's Send Help, this sequel creaks under the weight of its own ambition.
Ultimately, Ready or Not 2: Here I Come is a film too in love with itself to care if audiences connect. It premiered at the SXSW festival and is now in Australian cinemas, with releases in the US and UK on 20 March.
