Weapons Review: Zach Cregger, the director of the surprise 2022 horror hit Barbarian, returns with his ambitious new thriller Weapons. While it shows growth in style and scope, this suspense-packed mystery doesn’t quite hit the mark.
Key Takeaways
- Weapons is Zach Cregger’s highly anticipated follow-up to Barbarian.
- The film blends horror, thriller, and mystery with an ensemble cast.
- Despite a gripping premise and slick direction, the story feels shallow.
- Performances by Julia Garner and Josh Brolin stand out.
- The film releases in Australia on 7 August, and in the US and UK on 8 August.
Barbarian Set the Stage – But Was It Overhyped?
When Barbarian shocked audiences in 2022 with its unexpected twists and genre-defying storytelling, Zach Cregger was instantly hailed as horror’s new voice. But for some viewers, including this reviewer, the film’s flashy execution couldn’t hide a shaky script. It felt more like a clever showcase than a cohesive story.
Enter Weapons – Bigger, Bolder, and Buzzier
After Barbarian‘s success, the hype surrounding Cregger’s next project was intense. Weapons, a darker and more ambitious thriller, generated major buzz when its script sparked a Hollywood bidding war. Rumors even suggested that director Jordan Peele was so eager to make it that he split with his management after losing the project to New Line Cinema.
With stars like Julia Garner, Josh Brolin, and Alden Ehrenreich attached, and a carefully cryptic marketing campaign from Warner Bros, expectations were sky-high.
The Premise: A Disturbing Puzzle
The film opens with a chilling mystery: 17 children from the same class vanish overnight, each getting out of bed at exactly 2:17 AM and disappearing into the night. The only one who stays behind is a young boy, portrayed by Cary Christopher.
As the investigation unfolds, Weapons introduces multiple perspectives:
- Ms. Grady (Julia Garner), a teacher under public attack
- A frustrated parent (Josh Brolin)
- A police officer (Alden Ehrenreich)
- A low-level criminal (Austin Abrams)
Each viewpoint slowly reveals a piece of the nightmarish puzzle, keeping the audience engaged in a suspenseful build-up.
Strong Cast, Stylish Direction – But Thin Characters
The ensemble cast delivers strong performances. Garner impresses as a deeply anxious and vilified teacher, and Ehrenreich stands out as a temperamental officer with a personal edge. Each character gets their moment, but many feel more like plot devices than fully fleshed-out people. Their development is shallow—more like avatars in a psychological video game than real humans with depth.
A Suspenseful Ride That Lacks Depth
The premise is gripping, somewhere between Stephen King and The Brothers Grimm, and Cregger’s direction keeps us on edge. The film moves through different character viewpoints, slowly piecing together the narrative. There are genuine moments of shock, dread, and suspense that work well in a crowded theater.
But beneath the surface, Weapons begins to unravel.
Though the structure suggests a complex, layered story, the plot is surprisingly straightforward—and not always in a good way. Some moments rely on implausible behavior, especially from the police, and the deeper you dig, the more it feels like style over substance.
Comparisons and Influences
The movie draws comparisons to Denis Villeneuve’s Prisoners, another dark thriller about missing children. While Weapons isn’t as self-serious, it still tries to dress up a relatively simple story in high-concept packaging. It’s an entertaining mystery, but also one that can feel frustratingly hollow.
Final Act Falters – A Violent but Shallow Climax
The third act ramps up the violence and tension, delivering some genuinely chilling visuals and one terrifying performance (whose actor remains unnamed here to avoid spoilers). But the payoff doesn’t match the promise.
Rather than providing a profound or satisfying conclusion, the film leans into chaotic spectacle. The violence is visceral, but the emotional impact is limited. It’s chaos without meaning—entertaining in the moment but forgettable in the end.
Final Verdict: A Slick Thriller Missing the Sharp Edge
Weapons is a noticeable step forward for Zach Cregger as a filmmaker. His visual storytelling and sense of atmosphere are sharper than ever. But the movie still suffers from weak character development and a plot that doesn’t deliver the depth it hints at.
It’s an immersive ride, sure to thrill fans of mystery-horror hybrids, but it leaves you wanting something more—something smarter, deeper, and more emotionally resonant.
Release Dates
- Australia: 7 August 2025
- United States & United Kingdom: 8 August 2025
