Weapons
review by Bobby Blakey
Director Zach Creggor smashed the audience in the face with his horror film Barbarian. Now he is looking to do it again with his latest film Weapons. The film features a great cast including Josh Brolin, Julia Garner, Alden Ehrenreich, Austin Abrams, Cary Christopher, Benedict Wong, and Amy Madigan. Could this film offer more of the same insanity as Creggor’s previous film, or will it fail to cast a spell on audiences?
Weapons follow a community that is left questioning who or what is behind their disappearance when all but one child from the same class mysteriously vanishes on the same night at exactly the same time.
One of the things I have loved about the promotion to this film is that you have no idea what is going on outside of the kids disappearing. This leaves it all up in the air as it should be and allows you to witness this story unfold and it is a unique journey. The film is broken down into character arcs of each character that essentially tells their tale of the things transpiring in relation to these missing kids. This takes the audience on a much more dramatic and nuanced journey before anything horror related ever happens.
The cast are all excellent and initially seem like one-note characters, but as each of their stories unfold you are given more depth to them and a wide range of emotions and struggles that flesh them out perfectly. You get invested in all of them and wonder how this is all connected as the strange visuals and moments begin to happen. You are eagerly waiting for an explanation, but it takes it sweet time getting there in a perfect way that makes the payoff more than worth it.
The reveal initially seemed too simple and straightforward for me, but as we
step into the final act you get why, and it delivers. While there isn’t a ton of gore or anything other than a few jump scares early on when it hits the ground running it is a blast. It makes up for it with some great gory moments and insane chaos that you can’t help but smile through the craziness. There were way more lighthearted moments in the latter half I wasn’t expecting but it is part of the charm of the craziness that is playing out.
I know this film will be an acquired taste for some, but I loved it. I was hoping for a bigger twist I think but still pleased with the journey and wacked out finale. I don’t want to share any details other than that as this is a film that should be experienced, so go in with as little knowledge as possible and just let it reveal itself to you. I cannot wait to see what Creggor has up his sleeve next.
In addition to the film this release offers bonus content including numerous featurettes, taking audiences behind bringing this film to life. Run out of the house and grab our copy of Weapons available now on digital, 4K, Blu-ray and DVD from Warner Bros Discovery Home Entertainment.