Podcast Summary: Amy Robach & T.J. Holmes Present

Deep Cuts Horror Hit List #17: “Ready or Not”

Date: October 15, 2025
Hosts: Amy Robach & TJ Holmes
Podcast: iHeartPodcasts

Episode Overview

In this episode, Amy Robach and TJ Holmes continue their countdown to Halloween with "Deep Cuts Horror Hit List," spotlighting underrated horror gems. This week, they dive into "Ready or Not" (2019), a darkly comedic horror movie centering on a wedding night gone homicidally wrong. The hosts explore the film’s unique blend of genres, standout performances, why it deserves a spot on their top horror movies list, and who should (or shouldn’t!) put it on their watchlist.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Introduction and Background

[03:29] TJ Holmes:

• Introduces “Ready or Not” as a hidden horror favorite, and warns listeners it’ll make them reconsider marrying into eccentric families.
• Calls leading lady Samara Weaving “one of my absolute favorite horror movie actresses,” though “people will recognize her even if they don’t know her name.”

[04:07] Amy Robach:

• Admits TJ put the film on her radar: "I certainly had not watched the movie. And you said, oh boy, please watch it with me. I was gonna watch it, I think on a plane. You're like, no, no, no, watch it with me.”
• Gives a concise synopsis: Grace marries into a rich family, only to be hunted by her in-laws as part of a deadly game of hide and seek.
• Highlights the film’s multi-genre appeal: “Horror, mystery, thriller, comedy. So this has something for everybody. It really does have all of those genres put into one fabulous movie.”

Analyzing the Movie’s Tone & Style

[05:35] Amy Robach:

• Calls it primarily a “horror comedy,” but praises its supernatural twists and “phenomenal acting.”
• Notes the supernatural “forces all of this to play out.”

[05:56] TJ Holmes:

• Emphasizes the absurdity of the premise: “She’s literally in her wedding dress...her in-laws need to catch and kill her for supernatural reasons.”

Cast & Crew Highlights

[06:19] Amy Robach:

• Reports the movie’s box office success: “57.6 million total...budget was just 6 million.”
• Breaks down the cast:
  • Samara Weaving: “You know her face, you know her work, but I didn’t necessarily know her name.”
  • Adam Brody and Andie MacDowell: Praises MacDowell’s role as “delicious” and “so good.”
  • Henry Czerny: Recalls his appearances across the Mission Impossible franchise.

[07:39] TJ Holmes:

• On Samara Weaving: “She’s just a quirky...pretty blonde woman who plays these very quirky characters that aren’t sexy...they’re hilarious, they’re funny, self deprecating. She nails and owns that in all of her roles.”

[08:35] Amy Robach:

• Shouts out the directors (Tyler Gillette and Matt Bettinelli-Olpin): also behind “Abigail,” another horror-comedy.

Unique Elements & Genre Blending

[08:54] TJ Holmes:

• Compares “Ready or Not” to “Abigail”: “They put somebody in a role you don’t expect.”
• Draws contrast between the elegant appearance of the wedding and the brutal cat-and-mouse game.

[09:14] Amy Robach:

• Points out high critical praise: “Rotten Tomatoes… 89%...audience score 78%.”
• Discusses possible reasons for audience split: “Maybe the concept was a little too much to stomach for some folks.”

Critic & Audience Reception

[09:41] Amy Robach:

• Ponders the sometimes unpredictable Rotten Tomatoes scores.
• Reads the critic consensus:

"Smart, subversive and darkly funny, Ready or Not is a crowd-pleasing horror film with giddily entertaining bite." (09:59)

[10:06] TJ Holmes & Amy Robach:

• Explain the film’s "dark, but balanced" tone: combines wedding comedy with violence to offset the brutality.

[10:34] Amy Robach:

• Observes even children play a part in the family’s deadly tradition. "Even the kids...are involved in the hunt."

Standout Reviews & Interpretations

[11:04] Amy Robach:

• Recites various critics’ takes:
  • One calls it a “blood soaked roller coaster ride you can’t wait to get back in line for.”
  • Another finds it “a dark, splattery note on the margins of society’s growing divisions.”
  • Described as “smart B-movie” and “screwball comedy” blended with horror.

[12:10] TJ Holmes:

• Praises the “perfect cast,” singling out the “old grandmother” as the “most brutal killer of them all.”

[12:46] Amy Robach:

• Agrees: “Grandmas are not typically...put like that into movies.”

[12:56] TJ Holmes & Amy Robach:

• Discuss why the film is so fun and entertaining, particularly for its originality and execution.
• Amy on the ending:

“I loved this ending… worth the wait… I laughed out loud. I was actually kind of appalled at myself for laughing, but I was okay with it because it’s a movie and it’s not real life.” (13:46)

What Makes It Special

[13:56] TJ Holmes:

• Notes Samara Weaving’s ability to make even the darkest moments “okay for you to laugh at.”
• Warns that the film is “pretty brutal and uncomfortable at times… a couple of the moments… make you a little squeamish. But this is a fun one.”

Who Should (and Shouldn’t) Watch It

[20:03] Amy Robach:

• Describes “Ready or Not” as perfect for fans of cat-and-mouse horror, especially those who enjoy dark humor, jump scares, strong ensemble acting, and genre blending.
• Cautions: “You also have to be okay with some, some gore and some dark subject matters. And yes, you have to have a little bit of a twisted mindset to laugh along with the actors.” (20:54)

[21:11] TJ Holmes:

• “Some of it’s so over the top and ridiculous... slapstick comedy I can come up with in a horror genre.”
• “If you’re in the middle of the road, I think this movie covers a lot of horror movie fans, no matter where you are on that scale.”

[21:51] Amy Robach:

• Advises: “If you really want to be scared, you’re not scared watching this movie... if you can’t stomach the idea of humans hunting humans, then definitely don’t watch this movie. But I do think it’s all done in the spirit of humor.”

[22:42] TJ Holmes:

• “I don’t think this movie is for anybody getting married soon… Don’t watch this. Just get through the wedding and then watch the movie and it’ll be fine.”

Pairings & Viewing Suggestions

[23:28] Amy Robach:

• Recommends making it a party: “All about champagne and cake... it’s fun to watch with the group. Just to lean into the theme and have some fun with it is the right way to go.”

[24:01] TJ Holmes:

• Suggests it can work as a date movie, as “it does make you start to ask questions of each other and of your maybe families.”

[24:34] Amy Robach:

• Praises the film for making even the villains likable: “You actually are rooting for the characters, even the ones… that are devilish, you still like them.”

Memorable Quotes

• On Samara Weaving’s performance:

“She’s just a quirky... pretty blonde woman who plays these very quirky characters that aren’t sexy... they’re hilarious, they’re funny, self deprecating. She nails and owns that in all of her roles.”
—TJ Holmes [07:39]

• On the ending:

“I laughed out loud. I was actually kind of appalled at myself for laughing, but I was okay with it because it’s a movie and it’s not real life. But I thought the ending was spectacular.”
—Amy Robach [13:46]

• On genre blend:

"Horror, mystery, thriller, comedy. So this has something for everybody… all of those genres put into one fabulous movie."
—Amy Robach [04:07]

• On who shouldn’t watch:

“If you really want to be scared, I’m... you’re not scared watching this movie... if you can’t stomach the idea of humans hunting humans, then definitely don’t watch this movie.”
—Amy Robach [21:51]

• On likability:

“You actually are rooting for the characters, even the ones...that are devilish, you still like them.”
—Amy Robach [24:34]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:29] Introduction, why the film is on their list
• [04:07] Amy gives film synopsis, genre blend, initial reactions
• [05:35] Discussion of horror-comedy balance and supernatural elements
• [06:19] Box office, cast overview, Andie MacDowell and Henry Czerny shoutouts
• [08:54] Connection to "Abigail" and blending of innocence/violence
• [09:14] Rotten Tomatoes and critical consensus
• [11:04] Critic reviews and interpretations
• [12:56] The appeal of horror-comedy and sticking the landing with the ending
• [13:46] Reaction to the film's unforgettable final scenes
• [20:03] "Who is it for?"—detailed viewer recommendations
• [21:51] Warnings for certain viewers
• [23:28] Pairing suggestions; it's a perfect party or date movie
• [24:34] Discussion on likable, well-rounded characters

Overall Tone and Takeaways

Both hosts approach "Ready or Not" with enthusiasm and playful banter, reflecting on its mix of gore with humor. They stress how the movie stands out for blending genres, an excellent ensemble cast, and a creative, surprising ending. They repeatedly return to how the film’s darkness is offset by sharp wit, memorable performances, and even moments that make you question why you’re laughing. Their message is clear: if you love sly, subversive comedy with your horror—and don’t mind a little blood—this one’s not to be missed.

Highly Recommended For:

• Horror/comedy fans
• Those who appreciate fresh, original premises
• Viewers who enjoy ensemble casts and off-beat, subversive humor

Not Recommended For:

• Those seeking pure scares or who are sensitive to violence/human-hunting themes
• Anyone with an upcoming wedding (just to be safe!)