“Weapons”, starring Josh Brolin and Julia Garner, is already a box office beast, raking in nearly $45 million in its opening weekend. Written and directed by Zach Cregger, this is another horror film that blends nail-biting terror with grounded, dark comedy in a way few filmmakers can pull off.
Set in Maybrook, Pennsylvania, the film opens with a nightmare scenario: 17 children from the same class vanish in the middle of the night. At exactly 2:17 a.m., they leave their beds and sprint into the darkness, arms outstretched like wings. Julia Garner plays Justine, their teacher and immediate scapegoat, while Josh Brolin’s Archer is a desperate father hunting for his missing son. Benedict Wong, Alden Ehrenreich, Austin Abrams, and Amy Madigan round out a cast that delivers nuanced, believable performances.
Cregger employs a clever chapter structure, utilizing character-specific perspectives to advance the story. Normally, I’m not a “chapters in movies” fan as they can drag momentum, but here each shift deepens the mystery. From Justine’s chapter to Archer’s to others, the puzzle pieces slot together until the ending lands like a punch to the gut.
Larkin Seiple’s cinematography cranks up the unease, utilising various techniques to unsettle and disorient the viewer. One standout sequence sees James (Austin Abrams) trapped in a house sealed with newspaper, frantically trying to escape as danger closes in. It’s GoPro-tight, breathless, and suffocating in the best way.
“Weapons” floored me. It’s tense, funny, and unpredictable, with a third act that grips you like a vice. Gladys, brilliantly played by Amy Madigan, might just join the ranks of modern horror’s most chilling characters. And when a film keeps me glued to my seat, heart pounding, already planning my next watch… It’s done its job.
Watch the full review now on The Wandering Screen with Matt Koss on YouTube.
Letter grade: A-