NEWS

Starring Samara Weaving as Grace Le Domas and Kathryn Newton as Faith MacCaullay, “Ready or Not 2” takes place immediately following the events of the first film. Because Grace survived hide and seek the first time, the rules of an illuminati-esque organization, of which the Le Domas family was a part, state she must play a higher stakes version of the game against multiple families. Paired with her estranged sister, Faith, the two must compete for their lives, their freedom, and control of the organization itself.

After the first film introduced Mr. Le Bail as the master of the games, “Ready or Not 2” now goes into more detail with the various intricacies of Le Bail's rules and the strictness of their enforcement. Overseen by an entity known only as The Lawyer, played by Elijah Woods, the families are forced to figure out creative ways to win the game while still following the rules, lest they suffer the consequences. The film displays plenty of gruesome imagination in the elimination of its characters.

Samara Weaving gives an entertainingly cynical performance as Grace. Now experienced in the deadly hide and seek game, Grace is able not to only outplay the families on a physical level, but on an intellectual one as well. Grace is easily able to see through most attempts at manipulation and deception and use her knowledge and any resources she finds to make short work of most of the players. While important to the plot, Kathryn Newton as Faith MacCaullay brings the film down more than she elevates it. Despite the clear and present danger of their situation, Faith and Grace rarely stop fighting. Even moments meant to be more emotional are undercut by their incessant bickering. This results in what is meant to be a heartfelt reconciliation coming across more as an annoyance and detraction to the film. A mostly entertaining film, audiences won't be disappointed by “Ready or Not 2.”  However, the film fails to maintain consistent momentum throughout its duration.

6/10