REVIEW: “Weapons” (2025)

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In 2022, Zach Cregger attracted a significant audience with his unexpectedly successful horror-thriller “Barbarian.” Although the production had its unsteady moments and was marred by several questionable decisions, particularly in the climax, it displayed enough creativity and skill to pique the interest of horror enthusiasts regarding what this promising new director might accomplish next.

In a chilling and suspenseful manner, “Weapons” offers the solution to our query. This work of art can be categorized as a gripping horror-mystery, reviving Cregger’s knack for unconventional narratives. The latest piece is significantly more polished and astute in its execution. As both writer and director, Cregger demonstrates his skill with a captivating original concept, despite a few minor plot issues. The resulting film is an exceptionally well-crafted feature that keeps viewers engrossed from start to finish.

In the opening narrative of this chilling tale, I find myself, as a small-town resident of Maybrook, recounting an event that sent shockwaves through our peaceful community. One fateful night, at precisely 2:17 AM, seventeen elementary schoolchildren, all from the same class taught by Justine Gandy, mysteriously rose from their beds, fled from their suburban homes, and vanished into the darkness without a trace. The only exception being one child who remained inexplicably behind. The aftermath has left our community reeling, as the authorities grapple with this baffling mystery, yielding no leads thus far.

A month has passed, as the young narrator states. Now, the school is gearing up to reopen, yet the parents, who are still in pain and frustrated, are seeking clarification. Many, including Archer Graff (Josh Brolin), suspect Justine (Julia Garner) of knowing more about the missing children than she’s disclosing. However, amidst the flood of accusations and threats, she firmly maintains her innocence.

The movie then begins properly, with Cregger employing a fragmented storyline, dividing his tale into distinct portions, each focusing on a pivotal character and their ties to the case. Each segment provides us with small pieces of fresh information, gradually guiding us towards its climactic, concluding act. Apart from Justine and Archer, other characters who receive individual chapters are a local police officer named Paul (Alden Ehrenreich), the school’s principal Andrew (Benedict Wong), a homeless drug addict named Anthony (Austin Abrams), and young Alex (Cary Christopher), the only student from Justine’s class who didn’t go missing.

Through Cregger’s meticulous focus, we gain insight into the characters’ complexities. For instance, Justine, burdened by societal ostracization due to stress, initiates her own probe into the missing persons. Archer, grappling with grief, finds himself delving into Justine’s investigation. Alex, already struggling at school and home, faces additional challenges with the arrival of his great aunt Gladys, portrayed as a subtly unnerving character by Amy Madigan.

Although the diverse narrative approach maintains an engaging atmosphere, certain character arcs exhibit more depth compared to others. Regardless, they all contribute significantly to the enigma that unfolds throughout the movie. However, a few scenes seem tangential and could have been omitted without affecting the overall plot. Yet, the most substantial concern lies in the film’s conclusion – it’s hurried and somewhat anticlimactic, leaving viewers with a sense of unfulfillment. It’s not that the main storyline concludes on a negative note; rather, the director’s decision to abruptly end the narrative without providing sufficient emotional resolution is problematic.

In simpler terms, “Weapons” is an engaging film that showcases outstanding acting and visually impressive direction from a daring filmmaker. The small town setting feels realistic and authentic, providing a compelling backdrop for Cregger’s complex and genre-rich story. Although the violence is sparse, it packs a punch with its graphic intensity. One of the movie’s strongest points is that it keeps viewers guessing, which is rare in modern horror. Overall, “Weapons” is a solid second effort from Cregger, marking him as a rising talent in the expanding world of horror. The film hits theaters today.

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2025-08-08 18:58