Ready Or Not Review: Crazy Horror-Comedy About Killer In-Laws

Ready Or Not (M18)

Starring Samara Weaving, Adam Brody, Mark O’Brien, Henry Czerny, Andie MacDowell

Directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin & Tyler Gillett

Aussie actress Samara Weaving (The Babysitter) gives a star-making performance in this creepfest that walks a fine line between mirth and malice. She plays Grace, a young woman of humble upbringing marrying into a rich family (Henry Czerny and Andie MacDowell are the heads of the clan) who built their fortune from selling board games.

Unbeknownst to the bride, to be fully accepted by her seemingly kooky in-laws, she has to participate in a game of hide-and-seek. But this is no regular hide-and-seek; it’s the sinister rich people’s version — you hide and they seek you out with an array of weapons, from a crossbow to a Winchester rifle to a battle axe. All this trouble is over some unholy pact sealed eons ago.

When the movie isn’t rolling in gore and all things yucky (there’s a squeamish scene involving a rusty nail that's even worse than the one in A Quiet Place), it takes a swipe at white privilege and the culture of impunity for the wealthy.

It’s not unlike Get Out, except it doesn’t deal with race. But wouldn’t it be something if the newlyweds are interracial? Even if you ignore the social commentary, there’s still a lot of diabolical and deadpan fun to be had from the (wo)manhunt. (3.5/5 stars)

Photos: 20th Century Studios