Ready Or Not 2 Delivers Shocking Moments at SXSW Premiere
Austin, TX— The world premiere of Ready or Not 2: Here I Come took place last night at the Paramount Theatre during the SXSW festival, with star Kathryn Newton leading the audience in applause just before the screening began.
“Yeah, I’m loud,” Newton said enthusiastically to the packed theatre, where the excitement echoed through the air on a fittingly spooky Friday the 13th. The horror film, a highlight of the festival, captivated attendees with its mix of screams and laughter, showcasing Newton’s vibrant energy as she sat among the audience, right behind her co-star Shawn Hatosy.
Though franchise star Samara Weaving could not attend due to her pregnancy, Sarah Michelle Gellar represented her in spirit. Gellar brought with her a playful handheld cutout of Weaving’s face. Weaving also recorded a heartfelt video message for the audience, which played before the movie began. Earlier in the week, she celebrated the film with Newton in front of a dazzling billboard on Sunset Boulevard.
Sarah Michelle Gellar at “Ready or Not 2: Here I Come” Premiere during the SXSW Conference & Festivals held at Paramount Theatre on March 13, 2026 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Travis P. Ball/SXSW Conference & Festivals via Getty Images)
courtesy of Searchlight
As the audience settled in for the screening, filmmakers Tyler Gillett and Matt Bettinelli-Olpin shared insights about the production. They revealed that a sequel had not been part of their original plan. Weaving’s character in the first film was initially described as a lone wolf raised in foster care. It wasn’t until she received the script from writers Guy Busick and R. Christopher Murray that she discovered the backstory involving an estranged sister, played by Newton. The filmmakers also mentioned a scrapped post-credits scene hinting at a broader world of wealthy hunters, which they were unable to film due to budget constraints.
Gillett emphasized what sets Ready or Not 2 apart, highlighting the use of practical effects. “Everyone gathers around the monitor when Sam and Kathryn are about to get shot with a blood cannon,” he said. “There’s nothing more clever than the truth, and we’re getting splattered with goo, no matter what. Those reactions were real and honest; you can feel it,” Newton added.
However, not everyone faced the splatter. Elijah Wood and Gellar both noted they escaped the blood effects during filming, a rarity for the cast. Newton recounted an incident in which she was unintentionally doused with blood, leading to a reshoot the next day to maintain consistency.
During a previous interview with Weaving and Newton, the possibility of a threequel was raised. Newton suggested a fun twist: “I thought it would be funny if we do a completely different genre like a rom-com,” she said, proposing a story about two sisters and two brothers filled with "miscommunication drama and no blood at all." She declared, “No suspense—just kissing.”
Ready or Not 2: Here I Come, produced by Searchlight Pictures, is set to be released next Friday, March 20.
