Ready or Not (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending
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.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 35m (95 min)
- Directors
- Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Fox Searchlight Pictures
- Budget
- $6M
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
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 Show fewer
- 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
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.
-
Co-director Matt Bettinelli-Olpin -
Co-director Tyler Gillett
-
Mark O'Brien as Alex -
Adam Brody as Daniel -
Samara Weaving as Grace -
Henry Czerny as Tony
Also Starring in Ready or Not
· 6 more- Melanie Scrofano Emilie
- Andie MacDowell Becky
- Elyse Levesque Charity
- Kristian Bruun Fitch
- John Ralston Stevens
- Nicky Guadagni Aunt Helene
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.
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).
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.
-
IMDb 6.8 /10
See on IMDb -
Metacritic 64 Metascore
User score 6.8
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 70% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.5 /5
5.7K ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 4.2 /5
See on Movie Insider
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
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.
Worldwide gross
$57.6M
9.6× its budget
- US & Canada
- $28.7M
- International
- $28.9M
- Budget
- $6M
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
-
Saturn Awards 2021 1 nomination- Nominated Best Horror Film Release
Ready or Not Trailers & Videos
5 videos: 1 trailer and 4 clips.
- Clip Choosing Box
- Clip Head Start
- Clip Don't Want to Kill Me
- Clip "Hide and Seek" Film Clip
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
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What game does Grace draw during her wedding night initiation?
Cars in Ready or Not
2 cars on screen: the 2003 Lincoln Town Car and the Bentley Continental GT.
-
2003 Lincoln Town Car Important role -
Bentley Continental GT Minor role
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 Show fewer
- 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?
Movies Like Ready or Not
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including You're Next, Deadline and Superhost.
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.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
