Movie Review: Ready or Not

Ready+or+Not+is+a+2019+film+directed+by+Matt+Bettinelli-Olpin+and+Tyler+Gillett.

Ready or Not is a 2019 film directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett.

In a day and age where the wealthy are expected to be philanthropists, “Ready or Not” makes fun of the inherently immoral upper class by delivering a blood-filled movie. 

Former foster child Grace (Samara Weaving) couldn’t be happier to start a real family as the newest addition to the Le Domas with her marriage to wealthy husband, Alex (Mark O’Brien). However, there’s one problem: from midnight until dawn, Grace must hide while her in-laws hunt her using a variety of weapons, including crossbows, guns and knives due to a satanic ritual that they believe will harm them if she isn’t killed before dawn. As Grace desperately tries to survive, she finds a way to counterattack her in-laws. 

With the Le Domas gathered together at the estate for the wedding, viewers learn the family’s background. Their fortune was made on games; they sold playing cards during the Civil War, followed by a variety of games and trinkets in subsequent generations, including the hunting initiation for new additions to the family. 

The movie is an effective thriller as the luxurious estate is turned upside down by the in-laws. Grace’s husband attempts to help her escape without his family discovering his betrayal. With quick pacing and dark humor, audience members will be at the edge of their seats wondering if Grace will survive the night.  

Weaving’s compelling performance helps establish the satirical humor in this movie. Grace is just an ordinary girl who’s forced to become fearless in her unique situation. Although her character may appear one-dimensional and boring, her plainness helps her stand out amongst all her cartoon-like in-laws. 

Alex’s coke-fueled sister and a wicked mother-in-law with bow and arrow in hand are just some of the crazy in-laws found in “Ready or Not.” Although they’re bizarre characters, they lack any development beyond their initial image that makes them compelling and creative. Along with that, many interesting characters, such as Alex’s wild brother (Adam Brody), are given far too little lines throughout the movie. 

Although “Ready or Not” seems to have an interesting concept, it’s script full of unnecessary expletives fails to live up to its expectations. Rather than having a mature script to match the suspense of this thriller, the actors deliver lines to uselessly curse at others. 

“Ready or Not” makes viewers think twice before putting a ring on it in any relationship.