Some sequels are downright disappointing. They essentially destroy the momentum that the first film created. Ready or Not: Here I Come is not one of those sequels.
Samara Weaving returns as final girl Grace Le Domas and keeps the audience’s attention with her blood curdling scream and burning rage in her eyes. Kathryn Newton joins the franchise as her sister, Faith, who consequently becomes a final girl as well. The two sisters might have had their differences in the past, but both have a strong spirit and a take-no-shit attitude.
As for the antagonists of this sequel, each member of the satan-worshipping council brings their own memorable performance. From iconic scream queen Sarah Michelle Gellar to the frustrating villain of Shawn Hatosy. The two play siblings whose relationship foils Grace and Faith’s.
Right off the bat, the pacing picks up exactly where it left off. There’s no time skip, and we get to see exactly where the characters left off. Grace is questioned for the murder of the Le Domas family and is under suspicion while in a hospital. This decision is cleverly made and differs from other sequels that try to create their own story by completely moving on from the original. If Grace weren’t questioned for the suspicious death of the entire family, viewers would be confused and frustrated. This decision maintains a realistic element to the sequel.
Just like the last film, the group of killers varies from downright psychopathic, reluctant, and ridiculously hilarious. The variety of killers provides a social commentary on the romanticization of violence as entertainment in the media.
The kill scenes are clever and original; they keep the audience engaged without feeling too overwhelmed. The purpose of horror films is to evoke fear and anxiety, and this film does it just as brilliantly as the first one did.
The concept of having to survive on a time frame makes the pacing even more anxiety evoking. Once again, Grace must survive until dawn, but this time, if she wins, she gets something more than just survival. She could win the seat on the council. Of course, Grace doesn’t care for a seat on a satanic council and just wants her and her sister to live.
To prevent repeating the last movie, Grace doesn’t just survive and kill some of her attackers in the process- she cleverly finds a way to shut down the entire operation. Her characterization maintains strong with her vulnerability with her sister Faith and the realization that although she is reluctant to be the chosen one- only she can put an end to this.
All in all, this movie is not just worth the watch but worth a re-watch. Unlike other recent horror sequels and franchises, this movie not only honors the original but continues the story line in a fast-paced and amusing way. Ready or Not: Here I Come is full of humor, gore, female rage, and everything a good horror movie should be.
