[Film Review] Ready or Not (2020)

Between Toni Collette losing her shit at the dinner table in Hereditary; Betty Gilpin being the dog-kidnapping victor in pseudo-Hunger Games feature The Hunt; Imogen Poots taking a violent attack on white male privilege in Black Christmas; Florence Pugh making that decision in Midsommar and Elisabeth Moss just generally kicking ass in... well... everything – the somewhat controversial new “Good for her!” genre of horror was born.  

No new release fit into this new category quite as well as 2019’s absolute riot of a film – Ready or Not. 

Grace (Samara Weaving), an orphan raised in foster homes, is marrying the blue-blooded love of her life Alex (Mark O’Brien) and, in turn, becoming a member of the prestigious Le Domas Gaming Dominion. It’s clear from the outset that Grace is nervous, and Alex is less than reassuring. Offering her the chance to change her mind about the upcoming nuptials just minutes before the ceremony, we already get the impression that he knows something we don’t. However, it’s clear that the couple are besotted with each other, and Grace is more than ready to finally become a part of a real family. Her hopes of a romantic evening consummating her marriage are quickly dashed when it is revealed that she must first take part in a time-honoured tradition and play a game of hide and seek. She agrees, of course. Who would want to disappoint their new in-laws? However, when the game begins, the matrimonial bliss quickly descends into madness, the hider becomes the hunted, and things get violent.

Ready or Not is directed by two thirds of Radio Silence Productions, Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett - the film making trio behind segments in horror anthologies V/H/S and Southbound, and the 2014 homage to Rosemary’s Baby - Devil’s Due. It was theatrically released on August 21, 2019 and grossed $57 million against a $6 million budget – it was Fox Searchlights widest release in history. If you’ve seen the trailers, you probably won’t be expecting much in the way of surprises, but from the intriguing opening of young lovers and men in masks, right up until the explosive(!) finale – Ready or Not delivers a unique kind of shock value.  The success of the film has led to the announcement that Bettinelli-Olpin and Gillett are now working with Kevin Williamson on the fifth instalment of the Scream franchise – set for release in 2022. 

The whole film is visually spectacular. The Le Domas family home - a grand manor with expansive corridors lit by candelabras and lined with lavish paintings, rooms with marble floors and four poster beds, secret passages and hidden doorways, and acres of beautifully maintained gardens – gives you nostalgic Clue vibes. Meanwhile, the unreasonably good-looking cast and their attire keep it much more modern with designer suits, lavish gowns, and, of course, the bride's simple yet stunning wedding dress paired with custom yellow chucks, it’s truly a feast for the eyes (and great Halloween costume inspo). The best part of Ready or Not is, no doubt, Weaving herself. She has already made her mark as an icon in horror comedy with The Babysitter and Shudder’s original Mayhem, and there is no doubt that in a few years’ time her role here will land her in ‘Best Final Girls’ lists everywhere. 

With her quirky personality and obvious emotional vulnerability, you can’t help but root for her to overcome the odds and find happiness. When she initially expresses her concern about fitting in with the family, it’s obvious to the audience that her worries are rooted in her childhood and the glaring differences between her upbringing and theirs. Her supporting cast, although obviously ‘the bad guys’ are also so eccentric and entertaining in their own ways that you can’t help but want to see more of them too. Becky and Tony (Andie MacDowell and Henry Czerny) do their best to appear welcoming to their new daughter in law, and lull her into a false sense of security before ultimately implementing the plan to hunt her down. Emilie (Melanie Scrofano, Saw VI), Alex’s sister and obvious drug addict, quickly goes from over-the-top sisterly to excitedly frantic with hilarious consequences. Note to self: Don’t ingest a f*ck load of cocaine then try to handle a crossbow… 

And Alex’s other sibling Daniel (Adam Brody, Halloween 2019) offers comedy of his own, with his seemingly uninterested and cynical outlook on the situation, his family and even his own “gold digging whore” of a wife. As the age old saying goes though, ‘never judge a book by its cover’. Ultimately, Alex is a more unlikeable character than those that are unapologetically trying to kill Grace for their own gain. With his debatable explanations, and his ambivalence towards what is happening, it's hard to feel for him as he tries to portray himself as the black sheep of his family. It’s easy to see where the writers have been obvious with the themes and messaging of Ready or Not. On the surface it’s a witty, blood-soaked commentary on wealth and class division. But look a little closer at the dialogue, and you can see that the most important take-away from this film is that entitlement isn’t always about money.

It’s an easy watch for anyone who enjoys devouring their dark comedy with a big tasty side of violence, and, in a deeper sense, for any woman who has ever been gas lit, manipulated and lied to.  As Ready or Not closes with one of the bloodiest and most satisfying finales ever seen on the big screen, women everywhere can be heard exclaiming “Good for her!” and clinking their glasses in a toast to Grace Le Domas.

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