Delightfully twisted, uproariously violent and so very satisfying. Ready or Not the kind of horror movie that is not looking to win any big awards or boast about an all-star cast. Instead, it’s perfectly happy being the outrageous, fun, twisted thrill at the theater. That is what makes it so great, and I loved it.
It’s Grace (Samara Weaving) and Alex’s wedding day. After the lovely ceremony at the La Domas’ huge family mansion, they have a little tradition to initiate new members into the family. Since great granddad Victor made his fortune in the board game market, they always come together at midnight to play a game. Alex (Mark O’Brien) eases Graces mind that it could just be a quick game of checkers and then off to bed. One brother-in-law laments that he had to play Old Maid. With all the family gathered around the game table, Victor’s game kills watching over, Grace pulls a card reading Hide and Seek. Innocent enough, Grace thinks. However, everyone but Grace knows what this really means: When they find her, they have to kill her.
While they’re all passing out the weapons that hang all over great grandpa Victor’s game room, Grace is innocently hiding, annoyed that this is how she’s spending her wedding night. But soon, as Alex is trying to clue her into the real game, the blood starts splattering. What should have been a blissful wedding night soon becomes a night of blood and terror at the hands of Grace’s new in-laws.
Part of the fun in this movie is the array of characters in the La Domas family. Alex seems to be the only normal one, followed closely by his often drunk older brother, Daniel (Adam Brody) and his obvious gold digger wife. Fitch (Kristian Bruun) has his moments, sometimes playing around on his phone when he’s supposed to be looking for Grace. The coke-snorting sister-in-law’s friendly fire is both horrific and hilarious, only to be topped by how the creepy great-aunt finishes those poor maids off. And the butler with his love of the 1812 Overture was one of my favorite parts.
The movie feels like directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett had so much fun. They give us a classic dark and creepy labyrinth of a mansion full of murderous in-laws and one scared but determined bad-ass bride and just let the bullets, blood, tea kettles and battle axes fly. While there were some elements that almost seemed cliche (of course there’s a dumbwaiter involved), there is a lot that is surprising and fresh. And best of all, to make it a worthy horror flick, there are some wonderfully suspenseful moments that keep the audience on edge and thoroughly entertained.
“You’ll have to hide better than that.”
Oh, and I’d like this song to be considered by the Academy for best original song. It will also be added to my Halloween playlist. Enjoy!
The Best Picture Project 