“Weapons,” an expertly crafted film by Zach Cregger, challenges conventional notions of horror, trading jump scares for slow-burn tension and dread. But the film is after more than just scares; at its core, “Weapons” sends impressions of fear, control and mass hysteria.
Released Aug. 8, 2025, the story follows the disappearance of a class of children who, in the midst of the night, inexplicably vanish from their homes. The only exceptions are third-grader Alex Lilly, played by young actor Cary Christopher, and his teacher, Justine Gandy, played by actress Julia Garner. Unlike their peers, Lilly and Gandy are the only individuals in that class who don’t vanish that night. Due to the unusual circumstances of the case, the police are left with no leads and no one to blame. Citizens of the fictional town of Maybrook, Pa., quickly turn their suspicions towards Gandy, whose role as the lone adult survivor makes her an easy target for persecution.
The plot of “Weapons” centers on the figurative witch trial that Gandy is put through by a grieving community of parents searching for answers. The truth they are searching for, however, is shrouded in mystery, which leaves the audience captivated and looking for answers from the very start.
The structure of “Weapons” is hinged on multiple chapters, each focusing on different characters, with the final chapter tying it all together. Cregger has used this storytelling device before, with his 2022 film “Barbarian” also using abrupt shifts in perspective to engage viewers. Unlike “Barbarian,” however, “Weapons” sometimes drags on, repeating scenes across different chapters, which slows down the overall pace.
One of the ways Cregger blends typical horror tropes into his own personal style of filmmaking is the strategic use of satire and absurdity to critique contemporary issues that might be too difficult to confront directly. Cregger often turns hard-to-watch topics into more approachable truths, offering a distinctive take on the horror genre.
The key takeaway that viewers can expect isn’t entirely clear. Viewers have left the film divided, debating whether the story is about grief or if there’s something more at play.
