Commentary — ‘Ready Or Not 2: Here I Come’ Took Inspiration From ‘Dragon Ball Z’
by Frank Martin
It’s interesting to see parallels between different stories, even if they are unintended. Sometimes, plots follow certain trends and formulas to propel the story along. In the terms of Ready Or Not 2: Here I Come, the writers had to find a justification for the sequel. In doing so, they elevated the stakes by positioning the film’s villains as nothing more than cogs in a machine of satanic cultism. Although Dragon Ball Z is far removed from the horror film, it does something similar in terms of its universal hierarchy that could inspire further stories within the Ready or Not universe.
After Grace (Samara Weaving) survived the game of hide-and-seek with her in-laws in the first film, she believed herself safe. Unfortunately, that family was just one of six belonging to a satanic cult who rule the world. Her survival triggered a clause in their bylaws which allowed them to compete for a new leader of the group. Now, Grace — alongside her sister, Faith (Kathryn Newton) — must survive another round and avoid being “it.”
The first film never dropped a single hint of a larger universe beyond the family trying to kill Grace. It wasn’t until the sequel that their place in the cult was revealed. As far as the audience was concerned, that one family made a deal with the devil in isolation. Similarly, when Goku dies in Dragon Ball Z, he goes in search of King Kai, who is essentially a god holding dominion over Earth. It’s only much later that Goku learns King Kai is just one of an entire pantheon of Kais. So while the two properties are completely different from one another, they followed similar formulas of gradually unveiling a structure behind their ruling elite.
Ready Or Not 2: Here I Come is now streaming on Hulu.
