Here comes the bride, all dressed in blood!
Ah, Fall horror movie season. Every year, movies like Ouija or the tenth Purge. Not much can be said for the slew of gory, half-naked horror stories that are crammed down our throats year after year (and paycheck after paycheck for those studio execs, who are loving it!).
But, despite all the noise, every once and a while we’re given a gem. Don’t Breathe. IT. And now, writers Guy Busick & Ryan Muprhy and directors Matt Bettinelli-Open & Tyler Gillett have served up a deliciously entertaining flick in Ready or Not.
Simple, Satanic, and Satisfying.
Grace (Samara Weaving) seemingly hits the proverbial lottery in marrying the man of her dreams, Alex Le Domas (Mark O’Brien). He’s handsome and down-to-earth, and also an heir and member of the rich and powerful Le Domas gaming family, which has built an empire (or dominion, as they prefer) of board game wealth since the Civil War. Grace is beautiful but also quirky and down-to-earth, and these two young kids seem (too) chipper, ready to get hitched after an 18-month-bone-fest, contrary to the family’s customary 3-year courting period.
As Grace will come to find out (muahahahaha!), tradition is something important to the Le Domas family. In fact, it’s everything. It’s their livelihood. After their quick wedding and some inevitable, more-or-less awkward small talk with the weirdos of the family, Alex tells Grace that the most important part of the night is yet to come. In order to become part of the family, she has to draw a random card and play whatever game the card prompts. After she plays, she’ll officially become a Le Domas. Here’s the caveat. Her game?
Hide and Seek.
What follows is a certifiably insane roller-coaster ride of gore, madness, betrayal, and hilarity. Armed with 19th-century hunting weapons, the Le Domas clan hunts down their newest member. Contained in the family’s mansion, beautifully decorated with a novel, carnival feel while still reminding us of its modernity, Ready or Not relies on a smart blend of slasher tropes, surprises, colorful characters, and good-ol’-fashioned jump scares to create an aura of torture and doom. It nails its balancing act deftly, always remaining entertaining while occasionally reminding us of the close relationships between the characters, never delving into sap territory.
(This is the only time where it’s okay to laugh out loud at someone being shot through the mouth with a crossbow bolt).
It’s clear the Le Domas family is ill-prepared, and Grace isn’t the damsel-in-distress they had ordered. As characters get picked off and Grace gets put through the ringer (this is a masterclass in torturing your main character!), we speed towards one of the most memorable conclusions to a film I’ve seen in a long time. I won’t spoil it for you guys, because the scene is that great.
Each cast member plays their respective oddball character with skill and sharp comic timing, but the true standout here is Samara Weaver. She’s hilarious, badass, tragic, and captivating onscreen. Look out for more big roles in the future (She’ll be excelleeeeeent in the next Bill & Ted!).
See it.
Non-franchise movies deserve your ticket purchase. Period. Let’s support filmmakers who are making great original content like this. Ready or Not touches on themes of class struggle, feminism, and privilege while never being-heavy handed. It’s impressive, and truly one of the best experiences you’ll have at the theater all year!
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