Jade
Ready or Not 2: Here I Come picks up almost immediately where the first film left off, throwing audiences straight back into the chaotic world of the Danforth family’s twisted survival game. There’s no time jump, no reset — just pure momentum. Grace (Samara Weaving) wakes in a hospital bed, recovering from the nightmarish events of the first film, only to discover her estranged sister Faith (Kathryn Newton) has been called in as next of kin. But Grace barely has time to catch her breath before the sisters are drugged and taken to a new, far more intimidating estate.
Here, they are introduced to a network of wealthy, powerful families, each vying for the chance to take Grace down in a deadly game orchestrated by a new lawyer (Elijah Wood). Unlike the original, where survival hinged on a single family’s twisted rules, this sequel expands the stakes: now multiple families participate in the hunt, with each hoping to claim the title of head of a secret global cabal.
Grace and Faith must navigate unfamiliar threats, using wits, improvisation, and sheer resilience to survive. The sisters’ relationship becomes a central anchor as they clash, bond, and protect each other while avoiding the elaborate traps, weapons, and attempts on their lives. The chaos is constant, the action relentless, and the tension heightened by the knowledge that the rules have changed — and this time, losing isn’t just fatal for Grace; it’s a test of her sisterly loyalty too.
While the story offers new twists and expands the mythology of the Danforth universe, it sometimes drags with excessive subplots. The new characters — while colourful — can feel underdeveloped, and some scenes stretch the narrative without adding substantial suspense. Nevertheless, the film thrives when Grace and Faith are forced into direct confrontation with their adversaries, particularly in the clever and often brutal survival set pieces.
Cast and Crew
Samara Weaving returns as Grace, demonstrating once again why she is the heart and soul of the franchise. Her performance balances grit, dark humour, and vulnerability, carrying the film through the over-the-top scenarios with a grounded presence that keeps the story believable.
Kathryn Newton shines as Faith, the younger sister who is thrown into the chaos without preparation. Newton brings energy, sass, and a physicality that makes Faith an entertaining foil to Grace’s battle-hardened composure. The chemistry between the sisters is one of the film’s strongest assets, even when their arguments occasionally feel repetitive.
Elijah Wood’s portrayal of the sinister lawyer is quietly unsettling. He doesn’t resort to broad villainy but instead leans into charm and menace simultaneously, creating an eerie presence that lingers even when he isn’t on screen. His performance is an anchor in the film’s increasingly chaotic narrative.
Other notable cast members include Sarah Michelle Gellar, David Cronenberg, Kevin Durand, Nestor Carbonell, and Shawn Hatosy. Gellar adds sharpness and gravitas to key moments, Cronenberg is suitably creepy in his brief appearances, and Hatosy, returning to the big screen after years on television, impresses with understated menace. Overall, the ensemble is committed, which allows the audience to accept the escalating absurdity of the plot.
Director Justin Malen and the production team retain the high-gloss horror-comedy style of the first film. The film’s visual tone leans heavily into crimson-hued shadows, emphasising both the grotesque violence and the campy comic elements. The cinematography and camera work highlight the frantic action while keeping the audience oriented amid the chaos. Practical effects and CGI blend seamlessly in the action sequences, particularly in the gory set pieces, while the sound design amplifies every brutal impact, scream, and burst of violence with theatrical intensity.
Review
The sequel’s primary strength is its ability to maintain the original film’s momentum. By jumping straight into the story, Ready or Not 2 avoids the “reintroduction” trap common to many horror sequels. Audiences feel like the nightmare never ended — and that immediacy gives the film a sense of urgency and continuity that keeps viewers engaged.
Where the first film thrived on simplicity and suspense, this follow-up opts to expand the mythology and introduce multiple new families. While this broadening of scope adds variety, it comes at the cost of tightness. The narrative occasionally meanders through unnecessary subplots, and some of the new characters are less compelling than those in the original. Faith, for example, while enjoyable at times, occasionally falls into a predictable younger-sister trope.
Despite these issues, the action and survival sequences are the film’s highlight. Grace and Faith’s ingenuity, particularly in fight choreography and improvised traps, is thrilling to watch. These sequences are complemented by generous amounts of gore and inventive kills that are simultaneously shocking and darkly humorous. The film leans heavily into black comedy, balancing gruesome violence with witty dialogue, one-liners, and situational absurdity.
The dark comedy is the sequel’s most consistent strength. The film’s humour ranges from slapstick to subtle puns, sarcastic quips, and vicious jokes aimed at both characters and the absurdity of the situation. At its best, the humour heightens the tension and adds a layer of satirical commentary on wealth, privilege, and power dynamics. Yet, in some instances, the comedy overshadows the horror, leaving certain scenes feeling more farcical than frightening.
Pacing is uneven. While the film rarely lulls completely, it drags in stretches, adding fifteen to twenty minutes more than necessary. These slow patches often occur during expository sequences meant to expand the world-building but serve only to dilute the tension. Consequently, the film never fully achieves the tight, suspenseful rhythm that made the original so effective.
On the technical side, the production value remains high. The colour palette, shadowing, and cinematic framing enhance the darkly comic tone. Special effects, particularly in the gore-heavy sequences, are effective and sometimes startling, supporting the film’s comic-book-like aesthetic. Sound design also impresses, with every gunshot, crash, and scream amplified to provide a visceral, theatre-quality experience.
Ultimately, Ready or Not 2: Here I Come is an entertaining, if imperfect, continuation of Grace’s survival saga. It successfully combines horror, comedy, and action, delivering moments of genuine tension, laughter, and spectacle. However, it lacks the narrative discipline and originality that made the first film so memorable. Fans of the original will enjoy the return of Grace, the inventive kills, and the over-the-top humour, but those seeking a leaner, scarier horror experience may find it somewhat diluted.
Rating
★★★☆☆ (3/5)
Ready or Not 2 is a watchable sequel that expands the universe and delivers high-energy survival fun. Strong performances from Samara Weaving, Kathryn Newton, and Elijah Wood carry the film through its weaker moments. The humour is clever, the gore inventive, and the action sequences satisfying. Yet the sequel struggles with pacing, overly simplified new characters, and an occasionally absurd plot. It’s entertaining but ultimately falls short of the tight, thrilling impact of its predecessor. Perfect for a casual cinema night, but perhaps best enjoyed with lowered expectations for horror intensity.
Jason Harris
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Jade
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