New release date for Ready or Not 2

Someone is more than ready! The industry magazine Deadline has announced that the horror sequel "Ready or Not 2" has been given a new release date. Instead of April 10, 2026, the film will now be released in cinemas on March 27.

In terms of content, the sequel follows on directly from the first part: Grace is once again forced into a cruel cat-and-mouse game in which unscrupulous and wealthy adversaries hunt her down. This time, however, she doesn't have to fight back alone, as her sister Faith is at her side.

The sequel also has a lot to offer behind the scenes. In addition to the return of Samara Weaving, we will also see Sarah Michelle Gellar and Elijah Wood. Genre veterans such as Shawn Hatosy, Néstor Carbonell and Kevin Durand will also be joining the cast. Cult director David Cronenberg will also be making an appearance.

Also new is Kathryn Newton, who was last seen in the vampire film "Abigail". As in that film, Tyler Gillett and Matt Bettinelli-Olpin will be directing "Ready or Not 2".

Tyler Gillett and Matt Bettinelli-Olpin: the faces of modern horror cinema

Tyler Gillett and Matt Bettinelli-Olpin are among the most influential horror directors of our time. As the creative minds behind the filmmaking collective Radio Silence, they have made a name for themselves by reinterpreting classic horror formulas and combining them with black humor, social undertones and uncompromising suspense. Their films appeal to both die-hard genre fans and a broader mainstream audience.

The beginnings at Radio Silence

Before Gillett and Bettinelli-Olpin enjoyed success with their own feature films, they gained experience with short films and contributions to anthology projects. Their collaboration on "V/H/S" (2012) and "Southbound" (2015) was particularly influential. In these projects, they developed their distinctive style: an intense atmosphere, raw violence and a keen sense of rhythm and timing. These early works laid the foundations for their later success in the cinema.

Devil's Due: the first feature-length film

With "Devil's Due" (2014), the directing duo ventured into feature-length films. Although the found-footage horror about a pregnant woman who is increasingly haunted by sinister forces fell short of the expectations of many critics, it already demonstrated the filmmakers' central motifs: escalating threat, witty humor and a consistent build-up of tension. Looking back, the film is seen as an important learning phase for the duo.

Breakthrough with Ready or Not

The big breakthrough came in 2019 with "Ready or Not". The film tells the story of a newlywed woman who is hunted by her husband's wealthy family on her wedding night. Gillett and Bettinelli-Olpin combined slasher elements with bitter social criticism. Themes such as class differences, power and tradition were cleverly embedded in a bloody horror story. The success with critics and audiences alike made the directors instant household names in the genre.

The revival of Scream

With "Scream" (2022), Gillett and Bettinelli-Olpin took on one of the most iconic horror series ever. Instead of a simple reboot, they opted for a clever sequel that continued the meta-level of the series. The film respected Wes Craven's legacy, but at the same time brought in new characters, contemporary themes and a much tougher production. The commercial success proved that the duo could also handle established brands.

Escalation in Scream 6

The sequel "Scream 6" (2023) focused even more on intensity and show values. The plot shifted to New York and offered a faster pace, more brutal murder scenes and a consistent play with the audience's expectations. Gillett and Bettinelli-Olpin showed here that they are willing to take risks and deliberately break franchise rules without losing the core of the series.

Abigail: Horror with a mix of genres

With "Abigail" (2024), the directors returned to independent material. The film combines horror with thriller and vampire elements and tells the story of a group of criminals who kidnap a seemingly innocent girl – with deadly consequences. As in previous works, Gillett and Bettinelli-Olpin rely on surprising twists, strong character humor and bloody escalation. Abigail underlines their preference for genre blending and unconventional narrative approaches.

Style, themes and influence

Tyler Gillett and Matt Bettinelli-Olpin's films are characterized by a balance between entertainment and substance. Their works are often brutal, but never lose sight of humor and emotional connection to the characters. Recurring themes are power structures, social inequality and the breakdown of security in familiar environments. Visually, they rely on dynamic camera work and precise timing, which makes their films particularly intense.