The teens and I have spent the summer, and now early fall, watching horror movies. We do our research and been lucky so far in picking decent, if not great ones. We're only asking for entertainment and jump scares “Ready or Not” is a 2019 movie that we didn't read up on. We'd heard it was fairly good so we took our chances and watched it last night. It is a fast-paced movie that plays into a lot of horror movie tropes, villains are mostly moronic, and you know what the ending is likely to be. All of this said we liked it. It did its job and provided 90 minutes of macabre fun. Its main saving grace is the lead character played by Samara Weaving, an Australian actress and the niece of the great Hugo Weaving. Hugo is well known for the “Matrix” and “Lord of the Rings” trilogies. Samara is a standout and really carries the movie as the main protagonist.
The premise of the film is a combination of “Clue” and “The Purge”. Grace is a new bride who's married Alex a member of the super-wealthy Le Domas family. They've made their fortune off a board game dynasty. Alex has been estranged for 2 years from his family, however, his wedding to Grace brings him home to the family's mansion for the ceremony. You meet his strange extended brood whose smiles are sly and hint at something other then what they're saying. You also first meet his sinister-looking Aunt Helene who stares with open hostility on the wedding day at Grace. Everything appears to go well until the wedding night when Alex confesses to Grace that she must play a game as part of their wedding day tradition. He's nervous but plays it off as something she'll just need to get through with his eccentric family. Grace laughs it off since she's good at games and wants to get it over with.
Grace draws a very unfortunate, deadly card and the game chosen for her is Hide-and-Seek. Only she doesn't know it's a game played to the death. Thanks to her husband Alex she quickly learns she may not survive her wedding night. Directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, it moves fast and efficiently. It has an air of “Get Out‘ with its main character having far less money facing a wealthy, unhinged family, but please don't mistake it for the greatness of Jordan Peele's modern-day classic. Despite the macabre, bloody battle that ensues, it's funny at times. Side characters meet shocking endings and jokes are made about the consequences.
Andie MacDowell was fun to watch. Known for her roles in “Ground Hog Day” and “Four Weddings and a Funeral” Really enjoyed her as the family's matriarch.
Kristian Bruun was light, witty, and provided needed comedic relief.
By the time you've reached the gory finale with Grace in a blood soaked wedding dress, you'll know they never should've messed with her. She's managed to overcome axes, betrayals, and the regrettable destruction of a beautiful wedding dress. The movie's worth it to watch Samara Weaving. Put it on your list if you want to enjoy movie night with your friends/family/popcorn.
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