Weapons – Movie Review (4/5)

WEAPONS is a new horror film by Zach Cregger, the filmmaker behind the hit Barbarian. And yes, this one delivers too. It’s a slow-burn horror that unfolds like a puzzle. But patience pays off—because by the end, it turns brutal. Read our full Weapons horror movie review and catch it in theaters!

WEAPONS is best described as a horror mystery. For quite a while, we’re left completely in the dark about what’s going on—or who the villain even is. We witness the same event play out from several different perspectives, though fortunately, it never feels too repetitive.

The runtime clocks in at just over two hours, and while that might sound long, the storytelling more than justifies it. Personally, I never checked the time even once, which says a lot. If you’ve seen Zach Cregger’s previous film, Barbarian, you’ll definitely recognize some of the powerful elements he used back then.

Continue reading our Weapons movie review below. Find it In Theaters from August 8, 2025.

A Lot of Questions, No Easy Answers

As mentioned already, Weapons is very much a horror mystery at its core. The entire plot hinges on the fact that 17 children vanish from their homes at the exact same time in the middle of the night.

That alone is horrific. But it only gets worse.

Aside from some eerie security footage showing the kids leaving their homes simultaneously, there are no clues to follow. All we know is that they were classmates—and one child from that class didn’t join them on that fateful night.

A Puzzle You’re Almost Too Afraid to Solve

The film’s structure is built like a puzzle. We get the story through multiple character perspectives, and the characters include:

• The teacher of the class (Julia Garner)
• The one remaining student (Cary Christopher)
• A grieving parent (Josh Brolin)
• A local cop (Alden Ehrenreich)
• The school principal (Benedict Wong)
• And a local drug addict (Austin Abrams)

It’s an ingenious setup—because we experience the tragedy through those trapped in the center of it, those existing on the fringes, and even potential suspects. These different corners of the puzzle slowly start to reveal the full picture.

However, as it all begins to come together and reveal the truth, things will get truly disturbing. So much so that you almost don’t want to place the final pieces, knowing what kind of grim image is going to emerge.

A Very Unconventional Character

Don’t worry—no spoilers here. That’s not how we do things at Heaven of Horror. Still, be careful about reading too much elsewhere. I’d have been really disappointed if someone had spoiled this one for me.

As already shown in the trailer—and revealed early on in the film—17 kids disappear, and several bizarre deaths start to occur in the quiet town where everything unfolds.

We also meet a strange character, someone who pops up in the background before stepping into focus. It’s clear from the get-go that something is off. But in a town where everyone could be a suspect, you’d do well not to judge too quickly.

That said, this character is unforgettable. 

If Jamie Lee Curtis’s IRS worker from Everything Everywhere All at Once was the Halloween costume of the year a while back, then Amy Madigan as Aunt Gladys just might take over this Halloween season. It’s a wild look.

Watch Weapons in Theaters!

After Barbarian, I was eager to see what Zach Cregger would do next. I can safely say I had no idea what to expect from Weapons, but I’m completely satisfied with what it delivers.

It’s a horror story that stands entirely on its own. And with Weapons, Cregger proves that the unique storytelling style he introduced in 2022 was no fluke.

It’s also a deeply heartbreaking film. After all, we’re dealing with a story where 17 elementary school students vanish without a trace. Also, the one kid who didn’t vanish is left behind to carry an unbearable reality. One where he is somehow seen as both a victim and a suspect.

Yes, Weapons is long. And while the title is a mystery for a long time, it does get explained (though not until late in the film). Some viewers might find it too slow, too strange, or too elusive. But there’s no denying it delivers some truly bone-chilling horror moments!

Weapons premieres in U.S. theaters (and much of the world) on August 8, 2025.

Details

Director: Zach Cregger
Writer: Zach Cregger
Cast: Josh Brolin, Julia Garner, Alden Ehrenreich, Austin Abrams, Cary Christopher, Benedict Wong, Amy Madigan