Ready or Not

Ready or Not is the newest comedy disguised as a Mystery/Thriller to hit the theaters. Drawing from classic “Whodunnit” themes, this film is not your traditional search for a killer, but the hunt for a victim hilariously gone south. Ready or Not is the story of Grace (Samara Weaving) marrying her true love Alex (Mark O’Brien), who is an heir to a massive gaming dynasty. Per tradition, the newly wed couple is set to play a game with the entire family at midnight; a game decided upon by the ghost of the man with whom Daniel’s great-great-great-grandfather made a deal for the success of their company. Who doesn’t love a sprinkle of spooky cult rituals in their thrillers?

The suspense of the film begins to build as we watch Grace approach this strange family tradition with a childishly intrigued attitude; all the while ignoring Daniel’s obvious contempt for his family and their traditions. The family gathers in a special corridor of the home as the patriarch explains the rules of the game. Conversations throughout the room give the audience a hint into the possibilities of what is to come and plant the seeds of budding relationships between Grace and the members of her new family.

This film is full of hilarious moments, heart-warming conversations, suspense, and horror; all creating a labyrinth that keeps the viewer guessing what could possibly happen next. The story employs a revolving door of character personalities and loyalties throughout the movie, even drawing upon the harrowing childhood experiences of Alex and his brother Daniel from nearly 30 years ago… the last time the Hide and Seek card was drawn. These flashbacks at the beginning of the film help to build the intensity and set the scene for what is to come as the game commences.

The weapons and intensity of the hunt paired well with the moronic attitudes of the other family members to create a tongue-in-cheek humor surrounding the horror of this film. Weaving did an incredible job playing through a series of emotions in a performance that I can only assume will be the beginning of a long and fruitful career.

The themes within the film that seem to correlate with movies such as The Purge and Get Out seem to be original enough that this felt like a brand new story from beginning to end; a story that certainly peaked my interest. This rollercoaster is well worth the price of its ticket… just maybe don’t plan to buckle in with your in-laws.