Bigger and bolder than the last, Ready or Not 2: Here I Come ups the stakes for our hero Grace (Samara Weaving). While it might not surpass the original in execution, there are more than enough moments to make seeing this movie worthwhile.
Grace, after her disastrous wedding in the first film, wakes up in a hospital in Connecticut to see her sister Faith (Kathryn Newton) has been called as her emergency contact. Grace and Faith squabble over their estrangement but are soon hunted in the hospital by someone eager to start the second round of Hide and Seek. Rich families from all over the world discuss the news that “the bride” survived and that a certain ball is in play. Grace and Faith are kidnapped and brought in front of these families to learn that the Le Domas’ game of Hide and Seek was only the beginning. Grace’s survival activated a certain clause to allow all the families who have dealt with Mr. Le Bail a chance to gain control of their High Council.
Ready or Not 2: Here I Come has funnier moments and more shocking scares than the first. The characters’ shared motivations allow their personalities to shine through in this extremely unique situation. Sarah Michelle Gellar and Shawn Hatosy play Ursula and Titus Danforth, ruthless twins who are easily the most dangerous competitors amongst those hunting Grace and Faith. Their infighting mirror Grace and Faith’s disagreements throughout the movie, tying in the familial theming throughout.
The other rich families are no less captivating despite their lack of screentime. The El Caído crew stand out among the rest with Francesca’s (Maia Jae) personal motivation and Ignacio (Nestor Carbonell) and Felipe (Juan Pablo Romero) making poor use of more modern weaponry. Elijah Wood steals the show as The Lawyer who runs the whole process. His naturally calm demeanor balances the insanity around him, creating a solid foundation for the more outlandish parts of the film.
For the horror fans who appreciate gore and unconventional deaths, this film might not cut it for you. There’s only one kill that feels truly creative and none of the deaths carry as much weight as they did in the first film due to the larger cast. They manage to put Weaving’s distinct scream to use plenty of times, however, so there are still many iconic moments that make this sequel worth the screening.
