Weapons is the 2025 original film from writer, director, producer, and sketch comedy legend extraordinaire, Zach Cregger. The film follows the disappearance of an entire seventh-grade class after they all ran into the night at 2:17 AM. As the townsfolk rally to figure everything out, the mystery unwinds into something more demented than anyone had thought possible. The film stars Julia Garner, Josh Brolin, Benedict Wong, Amy Madigan, Alden Ehrenreich, and Austin Abrams.
This review contains spoilers, so if you plan to see the movie, I recommend stopping here. If you are not a horror fan and have zero plans to see it at all, I completely understand and encourage you to read on. I’m Nolen, I love Zach Cregger, and Weapons is the best movie I have seen all year, so far.
Social Studies- A History of Zach Cregger
Cregger has been in the world of entertainment for almost 24 years now, after debuting in the legendary New York comedy group The Whitest Kids U Know (AKA WKUK) alongside Timmy Williams, Daren Trumeter, Sam Brown, and the late, great Trevor Moore. Their sketch series ran on IFC until 2011, but the group continued to make projects here and there until the untimely passing of Trevor Moore in 2021.
In 2009, Trevor and Zach collaborated on the low-budget comedy film Miss March, which perfectly captured their friendship, their crass yet dynamic sense of humor, and the unmatched chaos that ensued. Miss March may not be for everyone, but if you liked WKUK, then it is a full-length movie of Trevor and Zach living out a skit. Yet, somehow, it’s one of my girlfriend’s favorite movies of all time. I digress!
World History- The World Needs Weapons
Cregger would bounce around Hollywood for a bit that mostly included appearances in different TV series, including NBC’s About a Boy and TBS’ Wrecked. In 2022, Cregger would come out of seemingly nowhere to set the world on fire with his debut horror feature film, Barbarian. The film remains one of the most critically acclaimed modern horror movies not made by Jordan Peele.
On the topic of Peele, Jordan would not provide any help in the making of Barbarian, but he would offer Cregger advice while making the film. Fast forward a few years, and not only was the world clamoring for a new Cregger movie, but Peele himself would try desperately to get in on the action. There are reports that Peele even fired his management staff for failing to secure distribution rights to Weapons.
All of this backstory and information about Cregger is to say that there was so much hype for this new film that Jordan Peele allegedly fired his management team for failing to acquire the rights to this movie.
If that doesn’t properly set the tone for how hyped up everyone was, and how important it was for this movie to get made, then I don’t know what will. How do you follow up a widely acclaimed debut, match that film’s acclaim, and cement your spot in modern horror? Jordan Peele did it, and now Zach Cregger has done it with Weapons.
Failing English Test- Negative Details and Dislikes
Before I rave and drool over this movie, there are a few moments, details, and ideas that I am still thinking about in a bad way. There is not a lot, but I need to get these off my chest. Firstly, I felt there were a few details in the intersecting stories that built up some hype and excitement, but ultimately went nowhere.
Cregger has an incredible ability to build tension, so when Alex’s consumed mother walked out of the house, got into the intoxicated Justine’s car, snipped her hair, then exited the vehicle, I had hoped later in the movie to see that come back, but no such luck. My entire body clenched as tightly as possible during that scene, but the payoff was nonexistent, so that was a bummer.
I liked Alden Ehrenreich’s character, Paul, and I liked his interactions with every other character, but I think he needed an arc to close out. He fought alcoholism, cheated on his wife, assaulted a civilian, and was overall a pretty bad law enforcer. Despite all of that, he tried and failed, but he tried to be a decent person. I think Paul needed a bit more closure before his consumption.
There is not much else that I disliked. The narration at the beginning, from the unnamed child, was cute, but I don’t think the narration at the end was necessary. She mentions that some of them even started talking again, which would have been a detail to speculate on afterwards.
Although I wanted closure for Paul’s character, it was everyone else that the voiceover gave an update on, which would have been more interesting if left unattended. Alex’s parents are in an institution, and some of the kids have learned to speak/ function again; things have returned to some normalcy.
That’s all well and fine, but continuing the mystery of those consumed would be way more interesting to linger on than being told what happened. I liked the ending. Everything wrapped up nicely, yet helatiously, but that voiceover took away the last bit of mystery, I think, could have continued the intrigue of the pre-existing mystery.
Dad Packed a Fruit Rollup- The Greatness of Weapons
Now that I have gotten that out of the way, it is time to tell you what was so great about Zach Cregger’s Weapons. Weapons has such an interesting idea right off the bat that you need to see where it goes. There is no indicator of what the finale will be, what the driving force was, or what any of it could mean. The anticipation was already through the roof, and the rest of the movie did not disappoint.
Aunt Gladys was the perfect antagonist for this story, due in large part to Amy Madigan’s soul-piercing, energetic, and demented performance. Gladys is a multilayered character who is unfiltered evil and intelligence, but Madigan’s balance of a weird and estranged aunt with an actual witch is awesome stuff. There were two jump scares that I audibly shouted and cursed at.
Weapons is a tension-filled balloon that bursts every so often with a well-placed jump scare. As the film builds up the mystery, the jump scares ease up, but that never stops the horror from being directly in your face.
The scene where Aunt Gladys visits Marcus’ (Wong) home is probably the most traumatic scene of the movie. Every time I see Mickey Mouse, seven hot dogs, or a documentary about parasites living on ants, my stomach turns. Up to that point, the movie was entertaining and interesting, but when Gladys snapped that stick to control Marcus, my metaphorical sanity stick snapped. What is happening? Oh, man, this movie is rad!
My Joke made the Class Laugh- Collective Appreciation for Weapons
Although I detest people posting recorded clips of a theatrical movie onto social media, I gained a massive appreciation for the scene when Alex’s mom goes to Justine’s car, the scene I mentioned in the negative section. The scene was great, but the payoff was nonexistent; however, for a brief moment, the world stopped.
From my experience, and the ones I saw posted, the general reactions start with a tense silence, move to laughter, and end with the air being sucked out of the room from one giant gasp. That is what going to the movies is all about. Seeing general audiences share a common reaction to a scene fills me with hope.
The following scene contains mature and graphic content as well as spoilers for the film Weapons. All rights reserved to Warner Bros. Studios. And New Line Cinema.
With access to platforms where everyone can tell you their reactions and thoughts on movies, being able to see, feel, and understand the exact feelings that other movie-goers had is why I love this job.
Weapons Directed by Zach Cregger
If you are a horror fan, this movie is for you. If you like original stories that twist, turn, and unravel, this is for you. Fans of Barbarian will dig this. I am already fiending for a new Zach Cregger movie, because so far, he is two for two in the horror genre, and his style is exciting.
Although I would love a new Cregger movie to be his next project, he is already slated to direct a Resident Evil adaptation of the popular video game franchise. Regardless, I will be seated, I will be ready, and I will continue to wait for his next project beyond that. 9/10!
That is enough about me.
What did you think of Weapons?
Did you dig it, or was it not your thing?
If you have not seen Weapons yet, do you plan to see it, or is this a skip?
Let me know, and keep it here at Respect My Region for more movie reviews!
