Movie Review: ‘Ready or Not’ Starring Samara Weaving, Adam Brody, Mark O’Brien

Before it’s release, the highly anticipated Ready or Not, directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, the duo behind 2014’s Devil’s Due and the wildly popular VHS released in 2012 earned itself an impressive 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. The exciting horror-comedy follows new bride Grace (Samara Weaving,) as she marries into the odd and eccentric family of Alex (Mark O’Brian.) The family is extremely wealthy because of their gaming dominion, and as a tradition on the wedding night of a new addition to the family, Grace must play a randomly chosen game with her new in-laws. However, what Grace believes to be a simple game of hide-and-seek proves to be much more deadly as she realizes the family that she has married into is hunting her, with deadly force. Unaware of their motive or reasoning, Grace finds herself in a fight for survival in the most lethal game of hide-and-seek ever played.

The film succeeds as a violent horror-comedy with an intriguing storyline and some genuinely decent writing that leaves the viewers smirking at several moments, only to be taken back by some good old-fashioned gore and shock value. However, where most films overplay the blood and gore, Ready or Not seems to use just the right amount, without overselling it. The supporting cast is made of some interesting characters, all flawed and filled with various quarks, played by supporting performers such as Adam Brody, Henry Czerny, Andie MacDowell, and Melanie Scrofano.

Without giving away the plot, the family seems to be under the belief that if they don’t sacrifice Grace during the game of hide-and-seek before dawn, something awful will befall upon the members of the family, giving the plot a specific “cult-like” approach. The running gag, as advertised in the trailer, is that the family keeps mistakenly assassinating the maids instead of Grace. This gag provides some of the comedic relief during some of the more violent scenes, as the help is continuously picked off in a gruesome manner but still garnering a laugh from the audience.

While the film is predictable at points, that doesn’t make it any less fun. And, when it’s said that the film is predictable, it means in the sense that the viewer is able to say “Okay, this is either going to end one of two ways.” However, it doesn’t reveal which path the storyline is going to travel until the end, where the viewer is left with a “WTF?” moment when the credits begin to roll. It’s to be expected that the films 100% on Rotten Tomatoes will dip after release, as this film isn’t necessarily for everyone, but with its wide advertisement specifically using a ‘red band’ trailer, it’s safe to say the film was marketed towards a target audience. It’s fun, hip, short, sweet, and has the perfect balance of violence and comedy that perfects the formula for an enjoyable early Fall release. Ready or Not is in theatres everywhere August 21, so check it out!

B-