Ready or Not 2: Here I Come – Is the Sequel Worth the Wait?

Back in 2019, Ready or Not burst onto the scene as a thrilling horror-comedy, captivating genre fans with its blend of blood and wit. Directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett (Radio Silence) gained significant recognition, leading them to helm the recent Scream franchise. Now, they’ve returned to the world of Grace (Samara Weaving) with Ready or Not 2: Here I Come, bringing along her sister, Faith (Kathryn Newton), for a terrifying new game against a fresh cabal of wealthy, murderous elites.

The film premiered at the South by Southwest Film Festival, and the initial reviews are pouring in. Critics are largely agreeing: Ready or Not 2 delivers a bloody, fun experience that fans of the original will likely enjoy.

What Are Critics Saying?

The original Ready or Not skillfully balanced dark humor with genuine scares. The sequel, according to many, amplifies the outrageousness and cartoonish elements. As Josh Korngut of Dread Central notes, Radio Silence “leans into the overlap between the two genres with gusto.”

• Explosively Fun: BJ Colangelo of SlashFilm declares the sequel is “just as explosively fun as its predecessor, even if it’s essentially ‘the same, but more.’”
• Action-Packed Carnage: Glenn Garner of Deadline Hollywood Daily calls it “an action-packed, blood-soaked sequel just what fans have been waiting for the past seven years.”
• Inventive Carnage: Jonathan Sim of ComingSoon.net praises the “inventive carnage, colorful villains, and another terrific performance from Samara Weaving.”
• Expanding the Lore: Critics like Lyvie Scott of Inverse highlight the film’s successful expansion of the original’s world, noting it “gives new dimensions to the ‘lore’ of the original film.”
• Samara Weaving Shines: Nearly all reviews emphasize Samara Weaving’s continued brilliance. Josh Korngut of Dread Central calls her “the shining jewel at the center of this sparkling crown of chaos.”

While some critics, like Kaitlyn Booth of Bleeding Cool, feel it doesn’t quite reach the heights of the first film, they acknowledge it doesn’t diminish the original’s quality. Others, like James Preston Poole of Discussing Film, believe it even surpasses the first, stating it “thoroughly re-contextualizes the original film as a small cog in a much bigger machine.”

A Deeper Dive into the Sequel

The script, penned by Guy Busick and R. Christopher Murphy, quickly re-establishes Grace’s life post-first film and introduces the new threat. The rules of the expanded game are clear, the villains are introduced, and the hunt begins – and rarely slows down. The film doesn’t shy away from pushing the boundaries of gore and comedy, delivering outrageous and often shockingly funny violence. The addition of new characters, including Ursula Danforth (Sarah Michelle Gellar) and “The Lawyer” (Elijah Wood), adds layers to the already complex world of the Le Domas family and their sinister traditions.

However, some critics point out that the sequel’s adherence to the original’s formula might hold it back from feeling truly surprising or inventive. Tom Jorgensen of IGN Movies notes it can feel like being “caught in limbo,” while Josh Korngut of Dread Central suggests it’s “a little bit too messy.”

Is It Worth Seeing?

Despite minor criticisms, the overwhelming consensus is that Ready or Not 2: Here I Come is a worthy successor to the original. It delivers on the promise of more carnage, more humor, and a captivating performance from Samara Weaving. If you enjoyed the first Ready or Not, this sequel is likely to be a bloody good time.

Ready or Not 2: Here I Come opens in theaters on March 20, 2026.

Learn more about the world of horror films: Rotten Tomatoes – Top Horror Movies