Having survived a deadly game planned on her wedding night by a powerful family, a woman now needs to confront the families that fight for the throne.
Ridiculously entertaining!
We were never entirely sure there would be a second one. But boy, am I glad there is. Ready or Not (2019): https://kaygazpro.com/ready-or-not-2019-comedy-horror-mystery/ was bold, violent, hilarious, suspenseful, and unapologetically entertaining – a bloody comedy/horror that understood exactly what it wanted to be and fully committed to it. The balance between chaos, satire, gore, and tension worked brilliantly. So naturally, the question surrounding the sequel was simple: could lightning strike twice? It could, and it did!
The original creative team returns, with writers Guy Busick and R. Christopher Murphy alongside directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett picking up exactly where the previous film left off. More importantly, they understand that the audience needs answers – and more. The sequel expands the mythology in a straightforward way, explaining what is happening and why without overcomplicating matters. Does it work? Aye! Instead of weakening the mystery, it broadens the concept and makes the madness feel even bigger. And the audience gathered once more for chaos.
The film delivers from the opening scene to the end. The “oner” introducing Grace immediately reminds you why Samara Weaving became such a horror icon in the first place and gets your undivided attention. From there, hell breaks loose almost instantly. Blood sprays across walls, bodies pile up, foul language flies around like ammunition, and the film transforms into an absurdly entertaining feast of gore, dark comedy, and relentless carnage. It knows exactly how ridiculous it is – and weaponises that awareness beautifully. Alongside Weaving, Kathryn Newton, Elijah Wood, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Shawn Hatosy, and the rest of the diverse cast elevate the fun to the extreme – You will even see David Cronenberg in there!
Yet beneath the madness, there is a layer of a more symbolic darkness. The elite here are portrayed symbolically: childish, privileged, detached from consequence, worshipping power itself under the guise of satanic ritual. They operate by different rules, protected from the realities ordinary people suffer. Whether intentional social commentary or simply a reflection of collective frustrations, it becomes very easy for audiences to replace these fictional elites with real-world faces. Anyone comes to mind?
And, you see, that is part of why the film works so well. Because underneath the bloodbath and satire lies anger. And Grace, by being covered in blood, swearing through chaos, and refusing to die, stands like a beacon; the ultimate anti-elite nightmare.
Let me say it again: Samara Weaving absolutely rocks!
P.S. I’m so glad that Bettinelli-Olpin and Gillett left after Scream VI (2023): https://kaygazpro.com/scream-vi-2023-horror-mystery-thriller/ and didn’t carry on with the horrible franchise.
P.P.S. With the next review, there is an interesting comparison coming!
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