Ready or Not - So much fun

Sometimes a film is generally known as one thing, but - in reality - is totally something else.  It would be easy to lump 'Ready or Not' in the 'horror' category and, yes, it does have numerous elements associated with the genre.  However, it's so much more.  And, by 'more' I mean better... and funny (in the darkest possible way!).

I remember thinking that a lot of the best films (horror or otherwise) that seemed to be made in the eighties got going very early.  They didn't waste any time with redundant plot details and allowed the audience to grow with the story and characters. 'Ready or Not' does this by kicking off with everything you need to know in the first ten minutes or so.  A young woman has returned to her husband-to-be's luxurious family home in order to marry him in front of his - slightly aloof - family.

All goes well until after the ceremony where he informs her that it's tradition that any newcomers to the bloodline must play 'a game.' She picks out the age old classic 'Hide and Seek.' A chance choice she soon learns to regret, as this involves the family hunting her down throughout the mansion with an assortment of weapons in order to slay her.

'Ready or Not' could just have been some random horror-hunt film, but the main reason to watch isn't anything to do with viewing a film that will scare you, but simply to entertain.  And it does this using 'black comedy' at every turn.  Yes, the family are evil murderers, but they're just so damn funny that you can't help but enjoy their performance.  Plus Samara Weaving is excellent as the main character, proving that strong female leads can still exist without turning them into some sort of 'Mary Sue' trope.

It's not that long in length and the runtime flies by with a mix of gore (also played for laughs in many cases!) and an awesome script which is simply there to entertain the audience.  If you like your gore mixed with very dark humour you really do have to watch this one.  It's a modern classic and I hope they don't make a franchise out of this because it's perfect the way it is.

8/10 The Force is definitely strong with this one