Grace, or the unfortunate bride, is quickly established to be different from the rest of the Le Domas family. Thankfully, she isn't a damsel in distress; instead she needs to dig deep to find her strength, as she switches to survival mode. While we wish we knew more about her character, Samara Weaving makes it quite easy to root for Grace. Weaving smoothly walks the thin line between naive vulnerability and determined resolve. She isn't an action hero, but she comes pretty close to being one. If nothing else, the Australian actress makes a compelling case as a star in the making. The highly dysfunctional Le Domas family is an interesting bunch, played with glee by a cast up for the challenge. Mark O'Brien is convincing as Alex, who attempts to be the voice of reason, while his brother Daniel played by Adam Brody is oddly charming as a man torn between his sensibilities and family values. Andie MacDowell feels slightly underutilised as Becky, their mother, whose true motives keep you guessing. Supporting actors such as Kristian Bruun and Nicky Guadagni fully embrace their caricature-ish roles, and the film is better off for it.
At a taut runtime, the suspense barely loses its hold on your attention – a remarkable feat considering the film doesn't venture beyond the Le Domas mansion. The climax does go off the rails and makes you wonder if directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin & Tyler Gillett were holding back in the rest of the film. There is enough gore to justify ‘Ready or Not’ as a slasher, horror flick. But the film often excels in its dark, often gruesome humour. Its setup is thematically simple – proposing that the rich do lead different lives. The film stays fresh and entertaining as it embraces its absurdity while staying focused on the core theme – family.
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