Ready or Not 2: Here I Come Review - A Still Worthwhile Shell of Its Former Self
- Chase Gifford
- 5 hours ago
- 5 min read
“I’m the devil’s advocate. We have our own worshipers.” – Frank Zappa
The rich vs. the common man. It’s a theme that has been explored in cinema since its inception. Since movies often mirror the time they’re made in whenever a politician or rogue billionaire decides to impose their will at the expense of those they deem lesser-than the amount of stories focusing on these talking points tend to rise in frequency. And since 2016 was the start of this particular nightmare we have certainly seen a rise in movies focusing often on the downfall of these “enemies of the people.”
The 2019 Oscar for Best Picture winner, Bong Joon Ho’s masterful Parasite focuses heavily on themes of wealth inequality, class conflict and the stark divide between rich and poor. In 2018, Lee Chang-dong directed Burning which explores the origins of two poor people and their rich friend. Another 2019 drama, Joker, depicts an unsuccessful comedian becoming a figurehead for the lower class’ revolt against the wealthy elite. And of course there is the first Ready or Not, where a newly married bride must endure the rituals of her wealthy, eccentric new in-laws.
There’s something cathartic about watching people who have a comeuppance coming and actually facing the consequences. Unlike reality where they regularly get away with their crimes. Case in point: the ridiculous excuse of a world leader currently burning everything down because of ego, traitorous allegiances, and fear of facing his crimes for the first time ever. Being held accountable is not a billionaire’s strong suit. Certainly not the orange turd’s. But I digress. Stories like Ready or Not, The Menu, Get Out, and now Ready or Not 2: Here I Come give us that much needed purging and fantasy realization that reality never wants to provide. It’s not quite as good as the real thing but it’ll have to do for now.
Ready or Not 2 is unfortunately proof that blind retribution against the rich is not a complete story. It still needs to be clever, fresh, and surprising. Ready or Not provides a thrilling, darkly comedic and horror approach to the idea of wealthy individuals who think it’s okay to dump the consequences of their ill-gotten gains on those who end up turning the tide against them often in a violent and extremely permanent manner. It’s funny, violently so, and delivers immense satisfaction in destroying these oppressive, moronic nepo babies. When they get killed it’s the first thing they’ve ever earned all on their own. The characters are ridiculous, embellishing the characteristics of someone who got where they are in life through unfair, plutocratic practices even as they numb themselves with drugs and alcohol. Seeing Samara Weaving as Grace surviving their stupidity and turning the rules of their own game against them is true poetry. It is an energetic ball of furious violence and comedy that feels not only timely but somehow both unique and familiar at the same time.
Ready or Not 2 mostly forgoes any semblance of originality and continues down the same exact path tread by the first. Only this time Grace’s adversaries aren’t as interesting, essentially wasting a fantastic cast that includes Sarah Michelle Gellar, Shawn Hatosy, and surprisingly, David Cronenberg himself. That isn’t to say that these new wealthy fodder don’t provide their own kinds of thrills and laughs, it’s just less interesting and feels far less enthusiastic as it once did. And I think it’s simply because it’s just more of the same with nothing new to explore. What could this cast really have done differently that could make this second round of hide and seek worth the effort?
The most interesting, satisfying, and fresh aspect to this world for the second go ‘round is the relationship of two sisters, Grace and her previously unknown sibling, Faith, who, without hesitation, demonstrate why they stopped talking or even acknowledging one another long ago. I think it’s fair to say they outright hate one another but without fully understanding the other’s side of the story. But the billionaires hunting them down don’t really care about familial squabbles so in order to survive, Grace and Faith must work together if they want any hope of making it to sunrise. Easier said than done.
Samara Weaving as Grace is just as exciting and formidable as ever and only solidifies herself as a generational final girl along the likes of Jamie Lee Curtis, Neve Campbell, and Sigourney Weaver. Her “goat” scream is iconic at this point. In part 2 she continues her arduous journey to survive the horrible mistake of getting married to a Satan worshipping cultist whose family is even crazier than he is. She is out of her depth at times but always comes through when it counts the most. There are weaknesses with part 2 but Samara Weaving isn’t one of them. Equally as enchanting is Kathryn Newton as Grace’s estranged sister, Faith. They bicker like true siblings, they fight with fervor, and, despite their disdain for one another, still manage to combine powers and give these psychopaths their just desserts. Their give and take, riding the lines between hatred, resentment, love, survival, and vengeance is at the center of what makes part 2 worth the time.
This is the kind of movie that highlights violence. Maybe it’s a bit crazy but since it’s fantasy, bring on the blood and guts! It’s meant to be celebrated and applauded and laughed over and so that means the execution, the way in which these deplorable characters are disposed of, must be creative and impactful. And in this case, it needs to stand out from what happened in the first story.
The kills in part 2 are boring. They aren’t as over-the-top as I wanted them to be. The big reveal at the end of the first movie, that the whole myth of this family being beholden to a literal demon is actually true and the consequences of failing to adhere to the rules results in immediate and explosive expulsion is both hilarious and shocking. It’s so ridiculous you can’t help but applaud it for going for broke. Unfortunately now that surprise is off the table with part 2 so what happens now that will make a double or nothing round feel necessary?
Ready or Not 2 is more of the same and since part 1 is such a blast that makes part 2 anything but hopeless. It just does little to stand out from anything that happened in part 1. It has likeable enough characters, especially the two leads, and this already established world is still interesting. If only they had explored it more it could have made this whole endeavor feel more earned. Also special note must be given to Elijah Wood who is always weirdly entertaining and as a demon’s legal representative and devilish lackey he shines as all at once dastardly, maniacal, and meddlesome. Of the new characters he’s a definite standout.
Part 1 set a bar that Part 2 wasn’t prepared to clear and although it stumbles from over-familiarity and repetitiveness, Ready or Not 2: Here I Come is still a good enough time for any fans of the first to enjoy what it has to offer. Did I enjoy Part 1? Absolutely. Did I expect a Part 2? Nope. Would I watch a Part 3 even though Part 2 falls a bit short? Yes. As long as Samara Weaving returns, so will I.
Rated R For: strong bloody violence, gore, pervasive language and brief drug use
Runtime: 108 minutes
After Credits Scene: No
Genre: Horror, Comedy, Thriller
Starring: Samara Weaving, Kathryn Newton, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Elijah Wood
Directed By: Matt Bettinelli-Olpin / Tyler Gillett
Out of 10
Story: 7/ Acting: 7.5/ Directing: 7/ Visuals: 7
OVERALL: 7/10
Buy to Own: Yes.
Check out the trailer below: