Weapons Movie Review (Spoiler Free)

A grotesque blend of horror & dark comedy, Weapons grips with its unnerving atmosphere & eerie visuals. One-of-a-kind storytelling & unforgettable characters make this a haunting experience you won’t be able to shake off.

Genre: Horror / Mystery

Director: Zach Cregger

Cast: Julia Garner, Josh Brolin, Cary Christopher, Amy Madigan, Austin Abrams, Alden Ehrenreich, Benedict Wong, June Diane Raphael, Justin Long & Toby Huss.

Run Time: 128 min.

US Release: 8 August 2025

UK Release: 8 August 2025

German Release: 07 August 2025

From the man who brought us Barbarian comes a new, terrifying suburban mystery that had me hooked from the first scene, which is saying something, as I am not the biggest fan of voiceover openings. Given how much I appreciated Cregger’s last flick, I couldn’t wait to see this one, running straight to the cinema as soon as it was released. Let me tell you, it did not disappoint! Cregger manages to surprise once again by taking the missing-person concept and turning it into a unique premise, unlike anything seen before. So, follow me out of the door, into the darkness, as we investigate my review for Weapons.

When all but one child from the same class mysteriously vanish on the same night, a witch hunt ensues, as a community is left questioning who, or what, might be behind these disappearances, with suspicion quickly falling on one lonely teacher.

The screenplay, written by the director himself, is ambitiously innovative, blending elements of character drama, supernatural horror, plus dark comedy. This results in an atmosphere that is both terrifying and funny, refusing to spoon-feed the audience with exposition. The non-linear structure that focuses on several different characters generates a strong sense of disorientation, steadily building unrelenting tension. At its core, the movie explores deeper themes, such as grief, guilt or addiction. 

That said, it also does come with a few complications. For instance, the ending, while humorously unique, felt a little unfulfilling at the same time. Then, there is the fact that some of the visual storytelling is overly ambiguous: in particular, one dream sequence that doesn’t really lead up to anything. It can also feel a little unevenly paced at times, though these are just minor issues in an otherwise gripping plot. 

That said, it does come with a few complications. The ending, while humorously unique, felt a little unfulfilling. Some of the visual storytelling is overly ambiguous — one particular dream sequence doesn’t really lead anywhere — and the pacing can occasionally feel uneven. Still, these are relatively minor flaws in an otherwise gripping narrative.

The dialogues reflect the script’s twisted mesh of fear plus comedy. Conversations feel unfiltered and raw, as characters try to make sense of the trauma that has befallen the town. The use of profanity adds to the realism and emotional intensity.

Weapons features an incredibly strong ensemble cast, all playing complex, flawed characters. Julia Garner delivers a powerhouse performance as Justine, the schoolteacher whose class disappeared, except for one kid, becoming the scapegoat of the community. She perfectly balances vulnerability, strength, as well as determination as she tries to figure out the mystery behind the missing children.

Amy Madigan is the standout here. Her portrayal of Glady’s is quirky, but disturbingly off-putting. She merges Pennywise vibes with The Craft mystery. 

Josh Brolin, who stepped in after Pedro Pascal dropped out due to scheduling conflicts, was the better choice in the end. Brolin brings a grittiness and depth to his grief-stricken role that Pascal couldn’t have matched.

Further strong performances were given by Alden Ehrenreich, as a charming, down-on-his-luck cop, just like Benedict Wong, as the calm,  level-headed school principal, Macus. 

Cinematographer Larkin Seiple, together with the regisseur, purposefully uses dark shadows and empty surroundings to create a constant sense of unease, forcing viewers to rely on sounds that crank up the suspense. Various styles are employed to mirror the different emotional states of each character; As an example, the camera flows smoothly when following Marcus, while becoming tightly focused when switching to Arthur’s perspective, and turns erratic plus paranoid when telling Justine’s arc.

Effect-wise, this supernatural horror makes use of vast amounts of practical work, including prosthetics as well as make-up, especially during its gory, graphic moments. The team reportedly tested blood effects meticulously to achieve just the right colour and texture. 

Sound design plays an equally important role. Silence is used strategically to heighten tension, while the musical score mixes orchestral swells with haunting piano tunes and percussion.

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Verdict: Zack Cregger proves once again that he is a talented director, just like script writer, giving the horror genre a unique spin. The narrative tells a tale of addiction, despair and remorse, wrapped around a frightening supernatural story, that uses dark comedy to ease tension. The dialogues sound natural, while the characters are relatable. The cast is across the board fantastic, with some of the most memorable performances given by Julie Garner and a scene-stealing Amy Madigan. The visuals are equally impressive, using shadows to full effect, paired with grotesque prosthetics. It has a few flaws, but none that will spoil the fun. All in all, I had a great time with Weapons at the cinema! It was terrifying, contained well-placed humour and had an original structure. I thought it was even better than Barbarian and will give it an 8.5 out of 10. 

This is one of the best horror flicks of this year, & definitely one you should watch! Leave a comment down below to let me know what you thought of it. Thank you so much for reading, & don’t forget to share