Ready Or Not: Here I Come (SXSW Review)

A sequel really has one job: be a great standalone movie while capturing the feeling of the original and expanding on it. A lot of sequels struggle with that, and it makes you wonder if they should even exist. But when filmmakers answer that question with a confident “yes,” you can feel it right away. Ready or Not: Here I Come is exactly that kind of sequel that does make sense having. It not only honors the first film, it goes bigger, badder, and bloodier. It stands on its own while still giving fans everything they loved the first time around. One of the best additions has to be Kathryn Newton, who brings so much to the table and raises the stakes in a meaningful way. At its core, the movie taps into something very relatable, which is how far people are willing to go to protect their family. The story of two sisters fighting for each other really drives that home, and it adds a strong emotional layer to all the chaos. I also have to say that this movie is a fireworks display of blood. Kills are wilder, creative and packs a mean punch. It's also hilarious. A perfect blend for a great horror comedy. This movie really delivers a great experience for a follow up. It is the light of hope that not all sequels are bad. Clear evidence in this movie.

What makes this sequel so satisfying is that it doesn’t stray away from what made the first film an instant classic. The twisted hide-and-seek concept is still front and center, and it works just as well the second time around. The movie keeps that core idea but elevates it in smart ways. With multiple families now involved, there’s more world-building, more rules, and more creativity in how everything plays out. These additions breathe new life into the story and keep things feeling fresh. The characters are also a lot of fun. Even without diving too deep into every backstory, you understand their motivations and personalities pretty quickly. Each person brings something different, and their interactions are entertaining enough that you could honestly just watch them talk in a room and still have a great time. On top of that, this movie is hilarious. The comedy hits consistently, and I’d even say it surpasses the first movie in that department. At the same time, the kills are much more brutal. Some of the most jaw-dropping moments I’ve seen at the festival of SXSW was from Ready or Not 2.

The cast across the board is incredible. Pairing Samara Weaving with Kathryn Newton was such a smart move. They have great chemistry, and it’s completely believable that they’re sisters. Their relationship adds emotional depth and gives us more insight into Grace, as a character. There are moments where the film slows down to let them connect, and while it slightly affects the pacing at times, it ultimately makes you more invested in their survival. Sarah Michelle Gellar is a standout and completely steals every scene she’s in. She brings so much presence and makes her character incredibly fun to watch. Elijah Wood also brings a ton of personality and helps expand the lore of this world in an interesting way. Honestly, there isn’t a weak link in the cast. Everyone delivers, and that’s a huge reason why the movie is so fun and re-watchable. This is truly one of the best ensemble casts ever. Horror genre legends! That is special to have and I’m so happy they were able to get such a fantastic cast.

Overall, Ready or Not: Here I Come is an absolute blast and will definitely make audiences fall in love with it. The playing field is bigger, the stakes are higher, and there’s so much more to gain when people win. It’s a fast, chaotic game of survival that balances horror, comedy, and action really well. It might even be more accessible than the first, leaning a bit more into comedy and action while still delivering some genuinely scary moments. I really liked the setting, especially how the ballroom was used, which that sequence is going to be a fan favorite, but I do wish they had taken even more advantage of the environment that they had. Still, that’s a small complaint. Walking out, I had a huge smile on my face. It reminded me why I loved the first movie so much. This is a sequel that truly delivers, and if they keep going with this story, I’m all in. See it with a full crowd and just enjoy the mayhem.

Rating: 88/100