Review: Ready or Not 2 (2026)

I went into this sequel still buzzing from the first film having watched it the evening before. The move to a bigger cast (adding Sarah Michelle Gellar, Elijah Wood, and Kathryn Newton to join Samara Weaving) felt like a massive win. I was ready to see if the sequel could live up to the original’s chaotic energy.

The movie kicks off the second the first one ends. A blood-soaked Grace (Weaving) is immediately reunited with her sister, Hope (Newton). It turns out the Le Domas family was just one part of a bigger "Council" that controls these games. The action quickly moves from the burnt-out manor to a massive luxury hotel resort. Grace and Hope are forced to run for their lives as the Council sends in their own heavy hitters to finish the job.

The cast is easily the best part of the movie. Samara Weaving is incredible as Grace, perfectly balancing the character's emotional trauma with her "final girl" toughness. Adding Kathryn Newton as her sister was a smart move. Their chemistry makes you believe they’ve known each other forever, and it adds some real heart to the carnage.

On the villain side, Sarah Michelle Gellar (Ursula) and Shawn Hatosy (Titus) are a blast to watch. Unlike the pure evil of the first family, these two balance pure evil and being morally grey. They spend half their time bickering like real siblings, which makes the dynamic between the two pairs feel both intense and funny.

The kills are also a highlight. They are timed perfectly, hitting like a punchline to a dark joke. Every death feels earned and satisfying.

The change in setting is where the movie stumbles slightly. Moving from the tight, claustrophobic hallways of a mansion to a sprawling luxury resort makes the scope feel bigger, but the stakes feel lower. The underlying sense of dread from the first film is replaced by a lighter, more humorous tone. It’s still a fun ride, but it doesn't feel quite as life-or-death as the original.

Ready or Not 2 is a great follow-up that leans into its comedy and its cast. It might not be as scary as the first, but it makes up for it with fantastic performances and a crazy third act!

Rating: 3.5/5