Ready or Not 2: Here I Come brings more blood and humor in the mix.

by Henry Pham

Ready or Not 2: Here I Come takes place after the events of the first film, and focuses on Grace MacCaullay, who, after surviving an attack from the Le Domas family, discovers she has reached the next level of the nightmarish game, and this time with her estranged sister, Faith, by her side. In order to survive, Grace must keep Faith alive and claim the High Seat of the Council that controls the world. Meanwhile, four rival elite families in the high-stakes ritual are also hunting her for the throne, and whoever wins will rule it all.

Samara Weaving (Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri) returns as Grace MacCaullay, the sole survivor of a deadly hunting game and former daughter-in-law of the Le Domas family. Kathryn Newton (HBO’s Big Little Lies) joins as Grace’s sister, Faith, who interrogates Grace after being named her emergency contact and is also targeted by the hunters following her own kidnapping. Weaving delivers a strong performance, demonstrating resilience despite her character’s injuries, while Newton brings chemistry and depth to the role of Faith. Faith is portrayed as naive and confused, contrasting with Grace’s hardened survival instincts and need for her sister’s support. Newton’s versatility as a scream queen is evident, with credits including Lisa Frankenstein and Abigail. The supporting cast, featuring Sarah Michelle Gellar (WB/UPN’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Scooby-Doo films), Shawn Hatosy (HBO Max’s The Pitt), David Cronenberg (The Fly, A History of Violence), and Elijah Wood (The Lord of the Ringstrilogy), adds further entertainment value.

Directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett return, working from characters created by Guy Busick and R. Christopher Murphy. The sequel expands the story by introducing additional wealthy families involved in the same cult that Grace faced previously. This time, Grace must survive against four affluent families, including the Danforths, to reclaim her position. Brett Jutkiewicz’s cinematography is solid, and the script avoids clichés. The film maintains relentless pacing, with intense action and high kill counts. Weaving, who also serves as executive producer, and Newton deliver standout performances. However, the sequel follows a similar formula to the original. Greater creativity would enhance the film, though this may be reserved for a potential third installment.

As far as revenge plots go, Ready or Not 2: Here I Come brings more blood and humor in the mix. It can be unsettling for much younger viewers, but it is actually humorous. This sequel is where critics and audiences roar throughout the entire film due to the numerous blood counts, insane action sequences, laugh-out-loud dialogue, strong language, and the main characters’ willingness to take down enemies and hunters, using weapons to their advantage. I’m excited to see what the third film has to offer (with the hopes of the main character not being killed off), but it will depend on how well it performs. We will see if there is one in the future, possibly becoming a Ready or Not trilogy. And if you haven’t seen the first film, watch that one first before you watch this. The sequel is a must-watch, and runs about 108 minutes long, which is 13 minutes longer than the first.

GRADE: B–