The Filmscape Reverie

By: Maria Cieslarczyk

This is the first time in my life that I’d rank a horror film sequel above the original. 

Searchlight Pictures’ Ready or Not 2: Here I Come (2026) combines complex sisterhood, quick wits, and goodhearted underdogs to create a fresh movie that builds off the suspenseful plot of its predecessor to expand the world (and its memorable characters) even further. 

In this film that takes off right after the epic events of the first movie, we find our perseverant heroine Grace (played by Samara Weaving) smoking a cigarette after her devil-worshipping millionaire in-laws – and husband, Alex Le Domas- try to sacrifice her to the devil after she draws an unlucky card that forces her to partake in a deadly game of Hide and Seek. 

In the sequel, Grace wakes up in the hospital to find her estranged sister, Faith (played by Kathryn Newton), next to a detective who blames her for the Le Domas’ sudden deaths. But the game isn’t over yet. Due to Grace’s victory, a new clause has opened in the evil society’s bylaws. Grace and Faith are kidnapped and brought to a huge complex, where the devil Mr. Le Bail’s “Lawyer” (played by Elijah Wood) explains the new rules. The four remaining elite families of the Council – which the Le Domas family was a part of – now must play a new round of Hide and Seek. Their mission? Kill Grace before dawn to acquire the High Seat. With her sister’s life at stake, Grace has no choice but to participate in the hunt for their survival.

And so the game begins….yet again!

I love that the sequel takes the sisterhood dynamic and spins it into a badass trope of endurance, forgiveness, and teamwork. The first movie was a solid standalone, but the sequel provides a new fun twist with larger stakes.

The sisterhood between Faith and Grace is incredible. They have each other’s backs (despite their estrangement) and learn more deeply about each other as they fight for their lives. Both characters are likeable and powerful. They both deliver funny dialogue, with great one-liners that break the insane tension and gory scenes with some dark humor. There’s that great trope of “touch her and you die,” but sister edition. I watched this film with my own sister, and it made it such a fun time for us both!

The world-building is also thought-provoking. There’s that (unfortunately relevant) theme of creepy rich people controlling society. The movie is quite dark, as these wealthy families had signed their souls away in demonic pacts in exchange for extreme wealth. It pretty much serves as a dark cultural commentary of current events, including the abuse of power and exploitation of the poor.

The film dives into survival and what you’d do for someone you love. There are excellently-choreographed fight sequences that showcase one’s desperation into motivation. Furthermore, you feel justice as the defeats take place. I was cheering for Grace and Faith to get vengeance and win…and it sure felt good to see them victorious. I also enjoyed the empowerment and good prevailing against evil, as Grace and Faith remain true to who they are in the face of death.

Finally, can I just say that I am obsessed with Samara Weaving’s gutteral scream? Linking it here because it’s so carnal and full of female rage… and I love it. A true scream queen!

Ready or not…here we come! Get your own scream on and see this epic horror movie, in theaters now.