Listen, I was primed to love Ready or Not simply because the family at the center of the film – the Le Domas family – made their fortune in… board games. Yep, board games. Because if you’re going to strain credibility and immediately broadcast to the audience just how firmly you’ve placed tongue in cheek, that’s a brilliant way to start.

2019 certainly had its fair share of horror films, and many broke the mold in unique ways, but don’t go into this one expecting something along the lines of Midsommar, It Chapter 2, or even Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark.

Ready or Not is one of those rare thriller/horror films that strives to be both scary and funny. It wants to deliver edge-of-your-seat thrills, groan-worthy one-liners, and a balls-t0-the-wall good time. Obviously, that combination is a tough sell – and it’s even harder to deliver.

In fact, it’s something that’s only been successfully done a handful of times, yet directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett absolutely deliver. Indeed, Ready or Not is the most fun I’ve had with a “horror” movie since Cabin in the Woods.

Samara Weaving is absolutely bloody brilliant in the main role, and I now want to see her in all the things. She nails the role of Grace and will have you both biting your nails in terror and pumping your fist with exultation. The Le Domas family, which rounds out most of the rest of the cast, is also wonderfully cast and just a joy to watch.

Andie MacDowell, particularly, is brilliant as the matriarch of the family. And if all you know of MacDowell is Groundhog Day (or one of her rom-com films from back in the day), you’re in for a pleasant surprise.

The less said about the film and its plot, though, the better. The trailer gives a lot away, but if the film hasn’t been spoiled for you, don’t go seeking anything out until you’ve watched the whole thing. Trust me. Do yourself a favor, and keep the ending an intact surprise.

If you’re tired of all the traditional holiday films on heavy rotation this time of year, might I suggest adding Ready or Not to your pile? It might not be a “Christmas movie,” per se, but it’s a load of fun and will give you an all-new appreciation for the family you have… unless your family also happens to be a crew of ultrarich psychotic murderers.

Along with the movie (on digital and Blu-ray now), there’s a handful of special features that are also well worth watching:

• Let the Games Begin: The Making of Ready or Not
• audio commentary by Radio Silence and Samara Weaving
• gag/blooper reel