“Ready or Not 2: Here I Come” follows Grace who must survive another hunt… this time with her estranged sister, Faith, by her side.
Another Sequel That Doesn’t Need to Exist
There seems to be a growing trend: another year, another unnecessary sequel. Last year it was “Black Phone 2,” and in 2026, it’s “Ready or Not 2.”
The first installment had the perfect stand-alone ending. A woman in her blood-soaked wedding dress sits in front of a burning mansion, uttering the simple word “in-laws” when asked what happened. Well… now there’s more.
“Ready or Not 2: Here I Come” has a fun setup, but its lack of substance quickly shows as the 108-minute runtime progresses.
Weak Character Dynamics and Frustrating Logic
The film features two talented leads in Samara Weaving (Grace) and Kathryn Newton (Faith). On their own, both excel (especially in the horror genre). While their charm salvages some of the script’s shortcomings, the character dynamic between them feels weak within this specific story.
At its core, “Ready or Not 2: Here I Come” leans into sibling drama. That could be interesting – but placing it in the middle of a deadly game of hide and seek makes little sense. Characters frequently pause for minutes at a time to catch up and converse, undercutting the film’s momentum and adding an unrealistic feel.
There’s also something to be said about Weaving fatigue. She shines in moments, but there are only so many times “f—in’” can be said before it starts to wear thin.
Still, Weaving and Newton deliver several memorable moments, both individually and together. While Faith’s inclusion is somewhat forced, Newton plays the role with ease and holds her own alongside Weaving.
The supporting cast includes several familiar faces, though the characters themselves feel less memorable this time around. Sarah Michelle Gellar (Ursula), Shawn Hatosy (Titus) and Elijah Wood (The Lawyer) help round out the ensemble.
Be prepared to suspend disbelief within the world of “Ready or Not 2: Here I Come.” If the characters felt questionable in the first installment, this one pushes that even further. Horror often asks audiences to overlook certain logic gaps – this takes it to an extreme. The film could end 15 minutes in. Maybe even 25. Or 30. Or 40. Or an hour… you get the point. In scene after scene, the protagonist has opportunities to be killed, yet the antagonists consistently make mistakes.
Dialogue is not a strong suit here either. “Ready or Not 2: Here I Come” often fails to trust its audience, with characters spelling out actions and intentions that the visuals already make clear.
Bigger, Bloodier, But Not Better
Brett Jutkiewicz’s cinematography deserves recognition. He elevates his work with a more immersive style that enhances the action. The camera moves with the characters, creating a sense of motion throughout. A brighter aesthetic also contributes to the film’s expanded scope.
What “Ready or Not 2: Here I Come” does deliver is the bloody violence audiences expect. The film features a number of creative kills with the same comedic twist that defined the original. Still, it eventually feels like it is constantly trying to top itself. Because of that, the final act fizzles rather than explodes.
Directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett of Radio Silence cannot replicate the success of the original. That is not surprising. “Ready or Not” was fresh. This sequel feels like a rehash, failing to carve out its own identity.
“Ready or Not 2: Here I Come” proves to be another unnecessary sequel. It may be bigger – but that doesn’t mean it comes close to matching the 2019 original.
Rating: 2 out of 5
