Weapons Director Reveals Aunt Gladys Was Inspired by Twin Peaks

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Zach Cregger, who directed the film *Weapons*, recently shared the story behind the character of Aunt Gladys. He explained that while she isn’t based on a specific person, her look was inspired by artist Cindy Sherman and the style of the 1990s TV show *Twin Peaks*. The character’s overall feel, however, comes from Cregger’s own experiences growing up.

Zach Cregger explains what inspired the character of Aunt Gladys

The actor and director detailed the origins of the character Aunt Gladys from the movie Weapons. When asked if the character was inspired by real life, he explained his thought process.

Zach Cregger recently told Collider that the character of Gladys isn’t based on a specific person he’s known. He explained that she’s not drawn from his own life experiences. Instead, Cregger sees Gladys as representing both a certain style and a broader idea or concept.

When asked about the visual style of the character Gladys, Cregger explained it was inspired by a few different sources. He mentioned Cindy Sherman, the TV show *Twin Peaks*, and the fashion choices of retirees in Boca Raton, suggesting those were the main influences on her look.

The director, known as Barbarian, shared that the film’s central theme is deeply personal. He described it as autobiographical, explaining, “The story of ‘Gladys’ really comes from my own childhood. It’s not about a specifically villainous person, but rather about growing up in a family affected by alcoholism.”

Zach Cregger explained that the character of Aunt Gladys in *Weapons* represents how a new person can disrupt a family’s stability. He described how this new presence can turn a safe and comfortable home into a frightening environment, particularly for children, and that’s what the character is meant to symbolize based on his personal experiences.

So, I was chatting with the director, and he made a really interesting point about his characters. He clarified he’d never actually based the fiery-haired villainess on anyone he’d met – no crazy redheads served as inspiration, apparently! He also confessed he *had* written a whole backstory for Gladys, trying to explain her motivations. But he smartly cut it. As he put it, knowing too much about her would actually *weaken* the character, take away that essential, terrifying mystery. It’s a bold move, and I think it pays off – less is definitely more when it comes to a villain like that.

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2025-09-22 17:57