Movie: Weapons (2025)
Production Companies: New Line Cinema, Subconscious, Vertigo Entertainment, BoulderLight Pictures
Distributed by: Warner Bros. Pictures
Producers: Zach Cregger, Roy Lee, Miri Yoon, J.D. Lifshitz, Raphael Margules
Directed by: Zach Cregger
Written by: Zach Cregger
Starring: Julia Garner, Josh Brolin, Alden Ehrenreich, Austin Abrams, Benedict Wong
Review by: Stefano Todaro

Weapons is Zach Cregger’s highly anticipated follow-up to the surprise hit Barbarian. That film seemingly came out of nowhere after being rejected by multiple studios, only to exceed both critical and box office expectations. Its success sparked nonstop anticipation surrounding what Cregger would do next. That next film is Weapons, a passion project that was delayed and recast due to the writers’ strikes. Sometimes those kinds of obstacles feel like destiny, because it’s hard to imagine Weapons being made any other way, or with any other cast. Following up a film as bold as Barbarian is no easy feat, but Cregger’s latest effort doesn’t just meet expectations, it completely shatters them.

Weapons tells the story of a classroom full of children who vanish from their homes at the exact same time, leaving no trace. The town is shocked, confused, and distraught. All that is left is mysterious video footage and unanswered questions. The film opens with a narration that sets the scene. Normally, narration can feel like a lazy shortcut, but here it’s used to stunning effect, evoking a sense of scale and dread that builds immediate anticipation. It made the film an attraction and shaped it into an incredibly engaging viewing experience.

Given the way Barbarian was structured, it was natural to wonder if Weapons would employ a similar storytelling technique, and it does. The film is told in chapters, each centering on a different character. Mystery leads to more mystery, and questions only deepen. Cregger’s choice to shift perspectives gives the film a sense of weight and momentum. Instead of spoon-feeding the audience answers while the characters remain in the dark, we discover truths alongside them. It’s a refreshing approach that keeps the experience immersive and emotionally grounded. I’m thankful Cregger let the audience enjoy the revelations with the characters.

Not only is it a tale of many chapters, but it’s a tale of two halves. The first half plays as a grounded horror-mystery, and the second half dives headfirst into the bizarre and outlandish. The genre-bending is what makes Weapons so unforgettable and so impactful. It is both nail-bitingly scary and side-splittingly hilarious. The writing is funny without relying on too much campiness, and the horror and suspense are delivered without relying on cheap shots. Even though the tones shift, it all works together beautifully from start to finish. It has everything a casual moviegoer would want from a fun horror movie, and it has enough depth and intrigue to impress the staunchest of horror movie critics.

While Julia Garner’s Justine may seem like the focal point early on, it becomes clear that each main character is deeply interconnected. Cregger shows immense pride and care in his characters and manages to write several roles that are full of depth, even though everybody shares so much of the screen time. He gives the cast meaty roles to chew on and work with, all of which include incredibly sharp dialogue, and Julia Garner, Josh Brolin, Alden Ehrenreich, Benedict Wong, and Austin Abrams all shine because of it. Each character is grappling with their own grief or trauma, and Cregger masterfully weaves their stories together into a relentless, emotionally resonant horror masterpiece.

So much can be made of the story and the messaging of the film. Depending on how you look at Weapons, you might see it as an allegory for one thing, but somebody else might interpret it differently. What matters most is that Cregger wrote this film to process his grief after losing a close friend. He said himself in his interview with The Hollywood Reporter, “It’s not really my business what people make of the movie. I have nothing to say about it because the movie should speak for itself, and if I have to comment on what people should get from it, then I’ve failed as a filmmaker.” This outlook is also what makes Weapons such a refreshing and astonishing film. There’s so much there to digest and think through, and it allows room for you to enjoy it however you see fit. At a time when pre-existing IP seems to dominate theater screens, Weapons proves that original storytelling, when done well, still has the power to captivate audiences. It’s bold, funny, terrifying, and completely immersive.

What more could you ask for?

9.5/10

By: Stefano Todaro