Weapons is the newest summer blockbuster that was written and directed by Zach Cregger, who previously wrote and directed Barbarian. The movie has grossed 204 million dollars at the box office. It has a few issues throughout the movie, but nothing major enough to detract from the overall enjoyment of the film.
The story follows a community of people who, after an entire class of children go missing when they all run out of their houses in the dead of night, must piece together what exactly happened. Similar to the director’s previous work, the movie is split into chapters, all following a different character, which makes for an interesting storytelling device.
The mystery surrounding the disappearance becomes more and more intriguing as it unfolds. Enough information is given so you can solve the mystery early on, but it also isn’t blatantly told you either. “Two people checking into a double-booked Airbnb is fine, but I feel like the question of Weapons is a bit more, I don’t know—it’s a better hook” -Zach Cregger
Even though the movie is rooted in the horror genre, it does not stray away from comedic moments as well. Similar to Barbarian, Zach Cregger can make it so the tension of the movie is lowered for a small amount of time and immediately raised even higher afterwards.
This movie, however, does not feel like a full-on horror film and instead feels like a thriller with slight horror elements. It is unable to deliver on having a good amount of scary scenes, which might not make it the best movie if you just want to be scared.
It is also able to put a modern spin on the classic fairytale story The Pied Piper of Hamelin by introducing new concepts to the original story. To add to the fairy tale feeling, the entire movie is narrated by a child, much like reading a story that has been passed down through multiple generations.
Another outstanding thing about this film is the amazing cast, which includes Julia Garner, Amy Madigan, and Josh Brolin. All of the performances feel very realistic and match the tone of the movie. The acting for the main villain was very great, which makes for a very hate-able character.
The cinematography of the movie is also top-notch. Many of the shots can build suspense, with notable examples being the following shot in the gas station scene. Another one being the final scene, whose shots can put a lot of life into the scene.
Ultimately, this movie would be a great fit for anybody looking for a good thriller and is not looking for something too horrifying. It is well worth a watch and can live up to Zach Cregger’s previous filmography.
