A number of movies that once qualified to be called
thrillers now fall under the guise of horror films. These films have viewers on
the edge of their seats waiting to see what will take place, filled with jumps
and scares aplenty. What makes them horror films are the morbid things that
take place in the film. READY OR NOT is such a film.
Former foster child Grace (Samara Weaving) marries into the
Le Domas family after a whirlwind 18 month romance with son Alex (Mark O’Brien).
Alex has been estranged from his wealthy family for some time now. They return
to the family home for their marriage and all seems to be going well. Until the
evening of the wedding Grace learns of something unexpected.
The Le Domas family has made their wealth from the gaming
industry. Begun years ago by Victor le Domas, he was provided with funds to
start the company by a mysterious benefactor named Le Bail. Victor left behind
a mysterious box and a demand of his family. When someone marries into the
family they must play a game, determined by a card that the draw from the box.
After hearing the story Grace draws her card and the game chosen is hide and
seek.
Grace runs off to hide with no idea of what is actually
about to transpire. The family believes that if they don’t follow the game to
its end something terrible will transpire. What they haven’t bothered telling
Grace is that this game of hide and seek involves hunting her with weapons, the
object to kill her before sunrise. If she survives, things move forward.
As Grace hides the family arm themselves with various
weapons. For most of them this is something new they’ve never experienced.
While some are skilled others have no clue how to use the weapons they’ve been
given. This becomes apparent when one of the family members is killed by
mistake.
A change in the game takes place when Grace is located by
her husband Alex. He tells her what is going on and explains to her the object
of the game. With his help the pair are hoping to survive the night and move on
to become a happy couple. But with the number of family members hunting the
odds are not in their favor.
The movie sounds like a simple plot but is filled with tons
of things that make it worth watching, in particular the dark comedy that many
of the sequences lend themselves to. In particular is Aunt Helene who has a
scowl on her face from start to finish. She seems the most suited for the role
of hunting and seems to take relish in what transpires. What she does to the
help is guaranteed to provide a laugh for those with an offbeat sense of humor.
Another funny moments has the family arguing about whether
or not to use the security cameras seen throughout the house. The cameras are
not to be used during the game but once the first person is killed they think
twice about using them. Aunt Helene complains telling them they have no sense
of tradition.
The film has a wonderful look to it, a sort of brownish haze
that adds to the atmosphere of the film. The sets are amazing with a fantastic
looking old style mansion for the events to take place in. The cinematography
is also extremely well done allowing scenes in the dark just enough light for
things taking place to be seen, a problem with many movies that take place at
night.
The acting here is wonderful as well with each character
turning in wonderful performances. To be able to play these roles with a
straight face takes some acting chops. Perhaps outstanding among them is Henry
Czerny as the head of the family. His ability to play his role as serious as he
does while in the face of absurdity is hilarious. Samara Weaving as Grace is
worthwhile too, showing the right amount of shock and resilience the role
requires. And Andie McDowell is fantastic in the role of the mother here, a
role that most would never expect her to play.
READY OR NOT is not the type of movie that everyone will
have fun with but if your sense of humor runs the dark side then this will be a
movie not to miss. It’s gruesome and funny at the same time and that for me is
something that rarely works. This time it does.
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