Weapons (2025) by Zach Cregger
- dailyentertainment95
- 3 days ago
- 6 min read
Short Summary: A Haunting Disappearance
In the small town of Maybrook, a chilling mystery unfolds when 17 children from the same classroom vanish simultaneously in the middle of the night, leaving the community in a state of chaos and grief. The film follows multiple townsfolk, including the teacher of the missing students and a distraught father, as they try to unravel the supernatural and terrifying events behind the disappearances.
Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt26581740/
About movie: https://www.warnerbros.com/movies/weapons
Theatrical Release: A Box Office Hit
The film was first released in the Philippines on August 6, 2025, followed by a theatrical release in the United States by Warner Bros. Pictures on August 8, 2025. It has grossed $29.7 million worldwide and had a strong opening weekend.
Detailed Summary: The Unraveling of a Small-Town Nightmare
A Sudden Vanishing: The film begins with a voiceover from the lone remaining student, Alex, explaining that at 2:17 a.m., his entire class disappeared. This event plunges the town of Maybrook into turmoil.
Multiple Perspectives: The story is told through the eyes of several characters, including Justine Gandy, the children's teacher, who is unjustly blamed by the community; Archer Graff, a father of one of the missing children who takes the investigation into his own hands; and Paul Morgan, a troubled police officer with a connection to Justine.
The Witch and Her Rituals: As the characters investigate, they uncover a sinister plot involving a mysterious woman, Gladys, who is an ancient witch. She uses dark rituals and a thorny twig to hypnotize people, turning them into her "weapons." It is revealed that she possessed Alex's parents and used their home as a base to kidnap the children.
The Confrontation: The film culminates in a frantic and violent showdown between Justine and Archer and the possessed townsfolk, who are now under the witch's control. Alex, who has been held captive, manages to use the witch's own magic against her, breaking her spell and freeing the children.
Aftermath: The children are returned, but the trauma remains. The final scene reveals that while most of the children eventually recover, Alex's parents never do, and he is sent to live with a different relative.
Director's Vision: Grieving in a Horror Epic
A Personal Story: Director Zach Cregger has stated that the film is a deeply personal project, inspired by the grief he experienced after the death of a close friend and collaborator. The film, therefore, serves as an exploration of pain, loss, and anger.
Influences and Style: Cregger drew inspiration from Paul Thomas Anderson's Magnolia for the multi-perspective narrative structure and Denis Villeneuve's Prisoners for its color palette and suburban Pennsylvania setting.
Elevated Horror: Cregger does not consider Weapons a "pure" horror film, but rather an "elevated" one that uses supernatural elements to explore psychological and emotional themes, particularly grief and trauma. He consciously removed jokes from the script to maintain an authentic sense of dread and unsettling weirdness.
Themes: Parasites, Trauma, and the Weapons of the Heart
The Human Parasite: The film explores the idea of "human parasites," both literal and figurative. The witch Gladys is a parasitic figure who literally feeds on the life force of others, but this also serves as a metaphor for people in our lives who use and drain us emotionally. The film questions societal expectations to help family, even when that family is harmful.
Trauma and Community: The film portrays how a community reacts to an unimaginable tragedy. The townsfolk are quick to blame and alienate Justine, showcasing how a collective trauma can turn people against each other.
Becoming a "Weapon": The title Weapons is ambiguous, but a central theme is how people can be weaponized against one another, especially those they love. The witch uses the people closest to her victims—like Alex's parents and Justine's ex-boyfriend—as her instruments of violence, using their emotional ties to inflict the most pain.
Key Success Factors: A Masterful Follow-up
Auteur Status: Weapons solidified Zach Cregger's status as a visionary director in the horror genre after the success of his debut, Barbarian. His unique, non-linear storytelling and ability to create a sense of psychological dread were highlighted as key strengths.
Stellar Ensemble Cast: The film's success is attributed to the powerful performances of its lead actors, including Josh Brolin, Julia Garner, and Amy Madigan, who critics noted delivered a chilling and captivating performance as the villainous witch.
Ambitious and Cohesive Narrative: Critics praised Cregger's ambitious, multi-perspective narrative, which, unlike his previous film, felt more cohesive and intricately woven. The slow-burn mystery and the satisfying way the various plot threads converge were a major draw for audiences.
Awards and Nominations: A Critical Darling
Weapons has received significant critical acclaim, boasting an impressive 96% on Rotten Tomatoes based on over 210 critic reviews. The film is considered a strong contender for various awards, with Amy Madigan's chilling performance as Gladys already generating Oscar buzz.
Critics Reception: A Triumph of Elevated Horror
Rotten Tomatoes: With a "Certified Fresh" rating of 96%, critics praised the film for being a "sophomore triumph" that solidifies Zach Cregger's status as a master of horror.
Variety: The review calls it a "cruel and twisted bedtime story of the sort the Brothers Grimm might have spun."
The Hollywood Reporter: The publication noted that the movie is "never dull or cripplingly silly and it looks sensational," even if it might not be "about anything much."
The Daily Beast: The review describes the film as "escalating at a mad rate until it tips into outright lunacy, it's a higher and more hellish brand of nightmare."
Tribune News Service: This outlet hailed Cregger as the "foremost purveyor of wicked and witchy contemporary fables that play like demonic urban legends."
Overall Summary: The critical reception for Weapons has been overwhelmingly positive. Critics lauded Cregger's ambitious and fluid direction, the film's ability to maintain tension, and the powerful performances from its cast, particularly Amy Madigan. The movie is seen as a significant step forward for the director, cementing his place in modern horror.
Reviews: A Vibe-Driven Masterpiece
Cody Leach (YouTube): In a spoiler-free review, Leach gave the film a 9.5 out of 10, praising the cinematography, characters, and "scares." He noted that the film is "more unsettling and creepy rather than a straightup horror" and praised its overall "vibes."
Wall of Sound: The review highlighted how the film's non-linear structure and shocking twists keep the audience guessing. It also praised Cregger's ability to weave his signature dark humor into a harrowing story, making for an unforgettable experience.
Next Best Picture: The review praised the film's "sprawling, multi-perspective horror anthology" structure, comparing it to films like Magnolia and 21 Grams. It also noted how the film's marketing effectively capitalized on the success of Barbarian.
Overall Summary: The reviews, both from professional critics and online creators, echo the sentiments of the critical reception. The film is consistently praised for its unique structure, unsettling atmosphere, and its ability to deliver a compelling and shocking narrative. Many have called it one of the best horror films of the year.
Release Date on Streaming: Awaiting Announcement
As of its theatrical release, Weapons is currently only available in theaters. No official streaming or digital purchase options have been announced yet.
Why to recommend movie: For Fans of Smart, Unsettling Horror
A Unique Narrative: If you are looking for a film that challenges traditional horror storytelling, Weapons is a must-watch. Its multi-perspective, non-linear structure keeps you on the edge of your seat and rewards careful viewing.
Zach Cregger's Vision: The movie solidifies Cregger as a major new voice in the genre. For those who enjoyed the shocking twists and dark humor of Barbarian, this film is an even more ambitious and refined offering.
Powerful Performances: The cast delivers a range of emotionally charged performances, with Amy Madigan's villainous role being particularly memorable. The film is driven by its strong character work and psychological depth.
Movie Trend: Elevated Horror
Weapons fits squarely into the "elevated horror" trend, a genre that uses the framework of horror to explore deeper, more complex themes. Similar to films like Hereditary or Get Out, it focuses on psychological dread and societal commentary rather than relying solely on jump scares. The film’s critical success and audience engagement are a testament to the popularity and staying power of this trend.
Social Trend: Generational Trauma and Anxiety
The film taps into the social trend of exploring generational and communal trauma. It delves into the anxieties of modern society, specifically the fears surrounding parenthood, community breakdown, and the hidden dangers that can lurk within seemingly normal suburban life. The film’s supernatural elements serve as a powerful metaphor for the ways we are burdened by the past and the ways our pain can be weaponized against us.
Final Verdict: A New Classic in the Making
Weapons is a masterful and terrifying film that lives up to the hype surrounding Zach Cregger's follow-up to Barbarian. It is a challenging, thought-provoking, and ultimately rewarding experience that uses a supernatural horror story to explore deeply human themes of grief, trauma, and communal breakdown. The film's ambitious narrative, stunning direction, and powerful performances make it a standout and a strong contender for one of the year's best films.
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