Sarah Michelle Gellar is heading back to the big screen with the horror comedy sequel Ready or Not: Here I Come, and she just revealed a fun secret about the movie. It turns out her young co-star, Kathryn Newton, hid a very special tribute to Gellar’s most famous role, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, right in the film. Gellar herself did not even notice the Easter egg at first. The look pays homage to a classic outfit Buffy wore in the very first episode of the beloved series that aired back in 1997. This little nod is exciting news for fans who grew up watching the Slayer fight vampires in Sunnydale.
The news comes straight from Gellar herself during a recent interview. She explained how Newton came to set with a specific idea for her character’s costume that was directly inspired by Buffy. This discovery adds a layer of fun for audiences when the movie finally hits theaters this spring .
Kathryn Newton Channels 1997 Buffy for Her Role
According to Gellar, the tribute was a deliberate choice by Kathryn Newton, who plays Grace’s younger sister, Faith, in the sequel. Newton is a known fan of the original series and wanted to incorporate that fandom into her performance.
Gellar shared the story with Entertainment Tonight, explaining that she was completely unaware of the plan until they started filming. Newton had done her homework. She brought a reference photo to set showing exactly what she wanted her character to look like. The image was of Buffy Summers from the pilot episode, titled “Welcome to the Hellmouth,” which first aired on March 10, 1997 .
The outfit in question is simple but iconic for long-time viewers. It features a blue button-down shirt worn over a white tank top. Buffy paired this with a messy updo and wispy bangs that framed her face. It was the look of a teenager trying to balance high school life with her destiny as the chosen one.
“What’s really funny is I didn’t know any of this,” Gellar told the outlet. “So, Kathryn brought in a picture of Buffy in this outfit. She had sort of had this idea of what it was” .
Sarah Michelle Gellar Almost Missed the Connection on Set
The best part of this story is that Gellar almost missed the connection entirely. Even though she played Buffy for seven seasons, the look did not immediately register when she first saw Newton in costume.
Gellar recalled being on set and noticing that Newton’s outfit felt familiar, but she could not place why. It was only during their first scene together that the pieces started to click in her mind. She mentioned to Newton that the clothing reminded her of something, and Newton played it cool, simply asking, “Does it?” .
It was only after Newton confirmed the inspiration that Gellar realized what was happening. Now, she has a great side-by-side comparison of the two looks. The hairstyle, she noted, is practically identical. It is a small moment that connects two generations of horror and fantasy storytelling. For fans who have followed Gellar’s career since her Buffy days, this hidden detail will make watching the new movie even more special .
What Is Ready or Not: Here I Come About?
Ready or Not: Here I Come is the follow-up to the 2019 surprise hit Ready or Not. That film starred Samara Weaving as Grace, a bride who had to fight for her life on her wedding night when her new rich in-laws forced her to play a deadly game of hide-and-seek. Grace survived, but the trauma was just the beginning.
The sequel picks up right where the first film ended. This time, Grace is reunited with her estranged younger sister, Faith, played by Kathryn Newton. They are forced into another brutal competition. A group called the high council families has kidnapped Grace. They want control of something called the High Seat of the Council, a position that offers immense power. Grace and Faith must fight to survive against four rival families who are all hunting them .
The cast is packed with big names. Besides Weaving and Newton, the movie stars Sarah Michelle Gellar, Elijah Wood, and even legendary body-horror director David Cronenberg in an acting role. The film is directed by the filmmaking team Radio Silence (Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett), who also directed the first movie and the recent Scream sequels .
Release Dates and Where to Watch
There has been some confusion about the exact release date, so here is the confirmed information based on the latest reports.
Ready or Not: Here I Come is scheduled to premiere in theaters on April 10, 2026. It was originally set to debut at the South by Southwest (SXSW) film festival in March before its wide release. The film is distributed by Searchlight Pictures, which is part of Disney. Currently, the release plan is focused on theaters, so fans will need to head to the cinema to see the Buffy tribute for themselves when it opens this spring .
The directors have promised a fun and twisted ride that honors the original while expanding the story. With Gellar joining the cast as one of the new wealthy killers, the movie is shaping up to be a major event for horror fans .
Gellar’s Busy Return to Screens
This new movie is just one part of Sarah Michelle Gellar’s return to acting. She recently explained that she took a long break from Hollywood to focus on her children, Charlotte and Rocky, whom she shares with husband Freddie Prinze Jr. The loss of her Crazy Ones co-star Robin Williams in 2014 also made her reevaluate her priorities. Now that her kids are older, she is ready to work again .
Fans can also look forward to seeing her reprise her most iconic role. Gellar is returning as Buffy Summers for a new Hulu series titled Buffy the Vampire Slayer: New Sunnydale. The show is a continuation, not a remake, and will introduce a new Slayer named Nova, played by Ryan Kiera Armstrong. Gellar will appear in a recurring role, passing the torch to the next generation. Oscar-winning director Chloé Zhao is attached to direct the pilot .
Before that, audiences can catch her as a judge on the Netflix revival of the talent competition Star Search, which premiered in January 2026 .
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Why This Tribute Matters to Fans
For the generation that grew up in the 1990s and early 2000s, Buffy the Vampire Slayer was more than just a TV show. It was a cultural landmark that blended horror, comedy, and drama in a way that had never been done before. Seeing an actor like Kathryn Newton, who was likely a fan herself, pay homage to that legacy is a meaningful gesture.
It shows the impact the show continues to have on modern filmmakers and actors. Radio Silence, the directors of Ready or Not: Here I Come, have often spoken about their love for horror history. Including a tribute like this fits perfectly with their style. It rewards attentive viewers without distracting from the main story .
The fact that the nod is so subtle—just a blue shirt and a hairstyle—makes it even better. It is not a big, flashy sign pointing to the camera. It is a quiet wink to those who know. And because Gellar herself plays a villain in this movie, the connection between her past and present creates a fun dynamic on screen.
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We hope you enjoyed learning about this hidden Buffy reference in Ready or Not: Here I Come. For more updates on your favorite stars and upcoming movies, keep checking back with VvipTimes for the latest entertainment news.
