Ready or Not (2019)

Streaming Services: HBO Max, HBO NOW, HBO Go, DirecTV

Movie Name/Year: Ready or Not (2019)

Genre: Comedy, Horror, Mystery

Length: 95 minutes

Rating: R

Production/Distribution: Fox Searchlight Pictures, Mythology Entertainment, Vinson Films, TSG Entertainment, 20th Century Fox Argentina, 20th Century Fox, Big Picture 2 Films, Forum Hungary, Fox Searchlight Pictures, Hispano Foxfilms S.A.E., Odeon, Press Play Pictures, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment

Director: Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, Tyler Gillett

Writer: Guy Busick, R. Christopher Murphy

Actors: Samara Weaving, Adam Brody, Mark O’Brien, Henry Czerny, Andie MacDowell, Melanie Scrofano, Kristian Bruun, Elyse Levesque, Nicky Guadagni, John Ralston, Liam MacDonald, Ethan Tavares, Hanneke Talbot, Celine Tsai, Daniela Barbosa, Chase Churchill, Etienne Kellici, Andrew Anthony, Elana Dunkelman, Kate Ziegler

Blurb from IMDb: A bride's wedding night takes a sinister turn when her eccentric new in-laws force her to take part in a terrifying game.

Selina’s Point of View:

The movie I was supposed to watch today got delayed in release. Since I had Ready or Not on my want-to-watch list, I thought I’d finally take the time. I’ve heard a ton of good stuff, after all.

Of course, that’s a gamble. There’s been so much hype about this film that there was a chance that this flick could never live up to its reputation. I’ve learned to keep my expectations lower when the hype is high, in the hopes of giving the movie in question the best chance I can. I reminded myself that this could just be a slasher flick with a slightly unique script or something. People tend to go overboard in praising stuff like that – myself included.

So, with my expectations managed, I sat down to really watch Ready or Not.

The hype is so real.

Ignoring the fact that I’m predisposed to enjoying comedy/horrors already, this film had everything going for it. The plot was already interesting and the trailer brought that home. Then there was Samara Weaving (The Babysitter, Bad Girl, Mayhem) acting her ass off as one of the modern-age scream queens. She was surrounded by people like Mark O’Brien (Goalie, Marriage Story, The Front Runner), Adam Brody (Promising Young Woman, Jay and Silent Bob Reboot, Shazam!), Andie MacDowell (Lovestruck, Cuckoo, Christmas Inheritance), and all the rest, who were bringing their A-games as well.

Every time I thought I knew what Ready or Not was serving me, it switched things up just a little. Not enough to make me question if the change fit, though. Every time a twist hit the story, I just got sucked even more into it.

Then came the ending… which was the most perfect ending to a film I have ever seen. It was satisfying, it was horrific, it was funny… and any other ending would have cheapened the story. I firmly believe that any other writers or directors that could have touched this movie would have changed the ending and ruined it. I’m not familiar with the writers and directors of this film, but you can bet your ass that I’m going to be seeking out more of their projects in the future.

I loved Ready or Not. I cannot stress that enough. This is one of the best horror movies ever made. Twenty years from now, people are going to look at it as one of the classic greats. And if they don’t, they’re wrong.

Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score – 88%

Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score – 78%

Metascore – 64/100

Metacritic User Score – 6.8/10

IMDB Score – 6.8/10

CinemaScore – B+

Trust the Dice: Selina’s Rating – 5/5

Movie Trailer: