A bloody wedding dress, a smoking shotgun, and an escape that left an entire family in flames — Ready or Not delivered one of the most unforgettable horror-comedy finales in recent memory. Now, after months of silence, Searchlight Pictures is moving forward with Ready or Not 2, bringing back Samara Weaving as the blood-soaked bride Grace. The sequel has been in development since last year, with original directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett returning to helm the project.
Deadline reports that Kathryn Newton has joined the cast, reuniting with the directing duo after working with them on Abigail, the 2024 vampire horror thriller. Her role in the sequel remains undisclosed, and details about the film’s plot are being kept under wraps. Given how the first film ended, with Grace surviving her in-laws’ self-inflicted fiery demise, the story could take a completely new direction. Writers Guy Busick and R. Christopher Murphy, who penned the original, are also back for the sequel, ensuring that Ready or Not 2 stays true to the chaotic energy of its predecessor.
Newton’s recent work in horror and thriller genres has positioned her as a strong addition to the franchise. After starring in Freaky, the body-swap slasher alongside Vince Vaughn, she went on to play Cassie Lang in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. More recently, she took on a lead role in Lisa Frankenstein, a dark romantic horror film. Her upcoming projects include Lips Like Sugar, a coming-of-age crime thriller, and DreamQuill, a horror film.
Bettinelli-Olpin and Gillett have kept busy since Ready or Not became a breakout success. After taking over the Scream franchise with Scream (2022) and Scream VI, the duo recently stepped away from directing Scream 7. Instead, they’ve been developing Taylor Lautner: Werewolf Hunter, a new action-horror project that imagines the Twilight star taking on real werewolves.
The lack of plot details leaves plenty of room for speculation. Grace’s survival in Ready or Not seemed like the definitive end of her nightmare, but horror franchises have a way of dragging survivors back into the chaos. Whether the sequel introduces a new cursed family, a vengeful spirit, or something entirely unexpected, it’s safe to assume that Grace won’t be catching a break anytime soon.
Natalie is a big fan of anything related to movies, TV shows, and anime — you name it. When she’s not reading or being a dedicated cinephile, she’s probably playing gacha and tabletop games, or daydreaming of Caleb from Love and Deepspace.
Germaine Wong
