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Mystery thriller

Ready or Not (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Ready or Not (2019) movie poster

Ready or Not is a 2019 mystery thriller directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, starring Mark O'Brien as Alex, Adam Brody and Samara Weaving. It runs 1 hour 35 minutes and earned $57.6 million worldwide on a $6 million budget. It earned 1 award nomination, including Best Horror Film Release at the Saturn Awards 2021. Critics gave it 64 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.8/10.

IMDb rating
6.8/10
worldwide gross
$57.6M
award nomination
1
Echo Score
75
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Ready or Not (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 35m (95 min)
Genres
Mystery , Thriller , Horror , Comedy
Original language
English
Budget
$6M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Ready or Not About?

The premise of Ready or Not without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

A young activist, Marcel McClinton, makes a bold move by challenging a long-standing member of the Houston City Council. His campaign gains momentum as he connects with residents, driven by his idealism and energy. Marcel's unexpected rise threatens to disrupt the established political order and shake up the city's power structure, forcing him to confront the complexities and challenges of local politics.

Ready or Not Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • dysfunctional family
  • hide and seek
  • evil rich family
  • dark family secret
  • family tradition
  • female protagonist
  • struggle to survive
  • hunting people
  • incompetent killer
  • bride as protagonist
  • woman in jeopardy
  • covered in blood
+38 more
  • race against time
  • satanic ritual
  • human sacrifice
  • family mansion
  • shot in the hand
  • woman wears a wedding dress
  • deadly game
  • splatter comedy
  • most dangerous game
  • satanic cult
  • newlywed couple
  • burning down the house
  • hiding
  • deal with the devil
  • gore
  • husband wife relationship
  • husband tries to kill wife
  • family killed
  • smeared with blood
  • missing the target
  • evil in laws
  • old weapons
  • family relationships
  • wedding dress
  • rifle
  • fight for survival
  • shot by a child
  • cellar
  • dumbwaiter
  • knocked unconscious
  • ritual
  • pentagram
  • altar
  • tied to an altar
  • widowed on wedding night
  • violence
  • brutality
  • escape attempt
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Cast & crew

Ready or Not Cast & Characters

Mark O'Brien leads the cast as Alex, with Adam Brody as Daniel and Samara Weaving as Grace. Directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Ready or Not

· 6 more
From the directors

More from Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett

More films directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, best-rated first: Scream VI, Scream, Ready or Not 2: Here I Come and Scream VI.

Ratings

Ready or Not Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Ready or Not 64 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 75/100, strongest in character & emotion (80) and weakest in rewatch factor (60).

75 /100

Ready or Not Echo Score Breakdown

Ready or Not stands out for its confident blend of satire and horror, delivering a largely entertaining experience despite occasional unevenness. Critics and audiences praise its inventive premise and strong production value, noting how its Gothic manor setting amplifies thematic tensions. Performances, especially by Samara Weaving, infuse emotional stakes, though some characters feel underdeveloped. The pacing fluctuates, with thrilling sequences countered by moments of narrative meandering. Overall, the film offers enough originality and technical polish to satisfy fans of dark comedies and horror hybrids.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 75

    In terms of art and craft, the film demonstrates a cohesive visual design anchored by its Gothic mansion setting. The cinematography captures a balanced mix of shadow and striking gore, while costume and makeup design enhance the period atmosphere. Direction choices drive tension effectively, though occasional editing shifts can feel abrupt. Overall, the film’s craft elevates its dark comedy tone.

  • Character & Emotion 80

    When it comes to character and emotion, performances are a clear highlight. Samara Weaving’s portrayal of Grace brings sharp energy and emotional weight to the narrative, and supporting cast members maintain consistent comic and dramatic chemistry. Depth oscillates between characters, with some feeling underwritten in service of plot mechanics. Overall, the acting elevates the film’s satirical horror premise.

  • Story & Flow 65

    In terms of story and flow, the film excels in its originality but wavers in coherence. The central hide-and-seek premise sustains suspense and offers unexpected twists that engage viewers. Pacing alternates between thrilling chase sequences and slower, wandering stretches that dilute momentum. Overall, the narrative remains enjoyable for its inventive concept despite occasional lapses in logical consistency.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    When considering sensory experience, the film delivers vivid action through its striking gore effects and cohesive visual palette. Sound design and score support tonal shifts between dark humor and horror, underscoring key suspenseful moments. Visual style remains consistent without overshadowing narrative clarity. Overall, the sensory elements effectively reinforce the film’s blend of comedic and visceral intensity.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    In terms of rewatch factor, the film offers several memorable sequences but shows limited lasting appeal. Its inventive premise and sharp moments of gore and humor invite a second viewing for genre enthusiasts. However, inconsistent tone and occasional narrative lapses reduce its replay value over time. Overall, the film is engaging on first watch but may not sustain repeated viewings for all audiences.

Plot

Ready or Not Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Ready or Not from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Young brothers Alex and Daniel Le Domas witness a shocking murder on the night of their Aunt Helene’s wedding. Fast forward thirty years, Alex returns to his family’s estate to marry his fiancée, Grace, a former foster child who dreams of finally belonging to a loving family. On their wedding night, he reveals a peculiar family tradition: every newcomer must participate in a game drawn randomly from a deck. Grace’s card reads “Hide and Seek,” indicating the ominous game that lies ahead.

Full summary

The whole story of Ready or Not, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Ready or Not Box Office & Budget

Ready or Not grossed $57.6 million worldwide on a $6 million budget, 9.6 times what it cost. $28.7 million came from the US and Canada and $28.9 million (50%) from the rest of the world.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$57.6M

9.6× its budget

US & Canada
$28.7M
International
$28.9M
Budget
$6M
US & Canada 50% Rest of the world 50%
Awards

Ready or Not Awards & Nominations

Ready or Not earned 1 award nomination, including Best Horror Film Release at the Saturn Awards 2021.

1 nomination1 ceremony

Videos

Ready or Not Trailers & Videos

5 videos: 1 trailer and 4 clips.

Red Band Trailer
  • Clip Choosing Box
  • Clip Head Start
  • Clip Don't Want to Kill Me
  • Clip "Hide and Seek" Film Clip
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Ready or Not?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What game does Grace draw during her wedding night initiation?

Cars

Cars in Ready or Not

2 cars on screen: the 2003 Lincoln Town Car and the Bentley Continental GT.

  • 2003 Lincoln Town Car in Ready or Not 2003 Lincoln Town Car Important role
  • Bentley Continental GT in Ready or Not Bentley Continental GT Minor role
Details

Ready or Not Also Known As

39 alternative titles, including “Boda sangrienta” and “Casamento Sangrento”.

Also known as
  • Boda sangrienta
  • Casamento Sangrento
  • Докато смъртта ни раздели
  • Prêt pas prêt
  • 准备好了没
  • Wedding Nightmare
  • Είσαι Έτοιμος
  • Aki bújt
  • तैयार है या नहीं
  • Mi She'Omed Me'Akhorai
  • Finché morte non ci separi
  • レディ・オア・ノット
+27 more
  • Zabawa w pochowanego
  • Ready or Not - O Ritual
  • Я иду искать
  • Spremna ili ne
  • Nevesta na zabitie
  • Pripravená alebo nie
  • Noche de bodas
  • Saklambaç
  • Гра в хованки
  • Family Ritual
  • Պատրաստ ես թե ոչ
  • 레디 오어 낫
  • Krvavá nevěsta
  • Ready or Not - Auf die Plätze, fertig, tot
  • Είσαι Έτοιμος;
  • מי שעומד מאחורי...
  • เกมพร้อมตาย
  • Спремна или не
  • 弒婚遊戲
  • 爆血新婚夜
  • Scapă cine poate
  • Gatavs vai nē
  • Slėpynės
  • Trò Chơi Giết Người
  • چه آماده باشی چه نه
  • Dobro se skrij
  • Spremni ili ne

Seen Ready or Not?

FAQ

Ready or Not FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Ready or Not, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Ready or Not?

Ready or Not runs 1 hour 35 minutes (95 minutes).

When was Ready or Not released?

Ready or Not was released on August 21, 2019.

Who directed Ready or Not?

Ready or Not was directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett.

More films by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin

Who is in the cast of Ready or Not?

Ready or Not stars Mark O'Brien as Alex, Adam Brody as Daniel and Samara Weaving as Grace, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Ready or Not make at the box office?

Ready or Not grossed $57.6 million worldwide ($28.7 million domestic, $28.9 million international) on a budget of $6 million.

How is Ready or Not rated?

Ready or Not has 6.8/10 on IMDb, 64 on Metacritic, 70% on TMDB and 3.5/5 on Letterboxd.

Was Ready or Not nominated for any awards?

Ready or Not received 1 nomination across 1 ceremony.

Does Ready or Not have a post-credit scene?

No. Ready or Not has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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