If you’re a fan of director and screenwriter Zach Cregger’s previous horror hit “Barbarian,” you’d know that his films keep you on the edge of your seat. After hearing that Cregger would be releasing another thriller, fans knew that whatever it was, it would be entertaining. And my goodness, Cregger delivered.
“Weapons,” released on Aug. 8, isn’t just any other horror film. It’s an expertly crafted, introspective, chilling thriller. “Weapons” discusses themes that aren’t usually depicted in film, such as grief, trauma, and loss, all while creating a suspenseful and multilayered narrative. It effortlessly combines different genres such as mystery, thriller, comedy and horror.
The plot follows a town’s desperate search for the truth after students in an elementary class mysteriously vanish on the same night, leaving one student behind. The movie is presented in a nonlinear narrative, meaning that the different perspectives in the film eventually intersect, creating a sophisticated storyline.
“It’s an autobiographical movie in a lot of ways,” Cregger told Slash Film in an interview about the recent sensation. Cregger wrote “Weapons” as a way to process the grief he was experiencing after the sudden passing of a close friend. Cregger is known for his ability to blend chaos with comedy, and in this case, emotion. Since the idea for the film came from Cregger’s personal loss, the story itself has a deeper meaning, leaving a lasting impact on viewers.
One thing I will point out is that if you are a frequent horror movie watcher, you may leave the theatre disappointed, especially if you came looking for an adrenaline rush. Moviegoers may be confused with the genre-bending aspect of the movie considering that it’s not simply “just horror.” It’s frightening, yes, but it includes topics that aren’t usually in horror movies. Grief, humor, trauma, and loss are all explored throughout the movie. Specifically, the comedy in the film is used to soften things up and make serious scenes into unpredictable moments of laughter. For example, the hilarious exchange between drug-addicted criminal James and police officer Paul: James intentionally stabs Paul with his needles twice. This exchange may sound dark, but I promise it’s one of the most hilarious scenes in the film.
Without spoiling it, I will say that the ending is a bit abrupt. Perhaps it’s because Cregger wanted to leave room for the viewer to create their own interpretations of what had happened, or Cregger wants to leave us on the edge of our seats for a potential sequel (hopefully, that’s the case!)
Even while dealing with heavy topics, the actors carried out their roles with confidence and dedication. Austin Abrams, who plays James, a homeless drug dealer, has been praised for his portrayal of the character because of the authenticity and commitment he put into bringing the character to life. From how I interpreted his acting, I think he did a great job at adding depth and humor to the character’s chaotic persona. His character’s point of view was probably my favorite out of them all, and his addition to the plot was intriguing and hysterical. Austin Abrams was the only originally casted actor who remained in the film after the Hollywood strikes. The strikes caused Cregger to recast the entire movie. Despite the significant production difficulties, the actors that were cast depicted their roles with purpose and diligence, helping to create the world that Cregger had imagined.
Another character that was presented very well was Justine, the troubled teacher of the missing children, who is portrayed by Julia Garner. After being accused of the disappearances, Justine turns to heavy drinking in order to cope with the aftermath of the situation. Garner takes this role and plays it realistically and delivers one of the best performances in the film. I felt very empathetic towards Justine throughout the movie, Garner’s acting played a role in how the audience felt towards her character. Justine isn’t supposed to be a super humorous character, she’s supposed to be troubled and vulnerable, and Garner played that exceedingly well.
I definitely enjoyed watching this film, but as an avid horror movie watcher, I will say that I thought that it would be more frightening. I feel like the marketing for the film only displayed the most fearful parts and didn’t acuretly display the tone of the movie as a whole. I’d recommend this film for a younger audience, specifically teenagers. While the movie is rated R due to the drug abuse and gore, I personally think it’s not that bad compared to other horror movies.
Overall, “Weapons” is a genre-bending, well written, and perfectly executed film. Zach Cregger has reshaped what a “horror” movie can look like. He created a chilling yet hilarious film that will keep in suspense throughout. Just like with “Barbarian,” Zach Cregger has done it again, but this time, better than before. This movie is definitely worth watching, and you’ll leave the theatre wanting more.