Ready or Not (2019) #451

 

“Ready or Not” is a fun, thrilling joyride of a dark horror comedy. Samara Weaving is spectacular as Grace, a bride who is forced to play a bizarre and twisted game with her new in-laws on her wedding night because it’s a part of their family tradition. What follows is a chaotic mess of violence, gore, and hidden family secrets that will have Grace reconsidering her recent nuptials before the night is over. “Ready or Not” was directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillet, both members of the directorial collaborative known as Radio Silence, best known for their work on “V/H/S” and “Southbound”. Working as a pair away from Radio Silence allowed them to try something different, a film with a sense of humor. And it worked. “Ready or Not” is extremely entertaining and in my opinion has enough to offer for multiple viewings.

 

Samara Weaving is perfectly cast as Grace, a young woman who is so happy and grateful to finally have a real and permanent family. In every scene she comes across as sincere and real, and when the family game is revealed and she realizes what the rules are, she does anything and everything to survive. The supporting cast shine as well as they add both the horror and comic moments move the story forward. Mark O’Brien plays Alex, Grace’s new husband, Adam Brody is Daniel, a somber and alcoholic brother-in-law, and Andie MacDowell is surprisingly perfect as Grace’s new mother-in-law Becky. Kristian Bruun, another in-law, gets to deliver some of the best comic lines in the film.

 

The family overall is challenged in their effrts to kill Grace, failing time and again as morning steadily approaches. What they thought was going to be an easy task is anything but. Either through accident or by luck, the members are killed off in ultraviolent ways. These deaths are sometimes a source of unexpected dark comedy but are more than not rather horrific. Only one member of the household is a real threat for most of the film, making Grace’s chances for survival slim.

 

“Ready or Not” is a plot and action driven film, as most horror movies are. Once the action begins, it continues to push the story forward at a nice brisk pace. Narratively, there actually is a little character development for both Grace and a family member who does not agree with this particular family tradition. Otherwise the story is straight forward and easy to follow; what you see it what you get. The end result is a very enjoyable and entertaining movie that could be accessible to those who don’t necessarily care for horror films due to the sprinkles of dark comedy throughout.