A Bright Future
Zach Cregger burst onto the scene in 2022 with his horrifyingly hilarious debut ‘Barbarian’, a movie that crawls under your skin as the runtime slowly ticks by. One that will make you never want to go into a basement ever again. The success of his first feature ultimately gave him free range to make whatever he wanted (‘Barbarian grossed a whopping $45 million on a $4 million budget) and that happened to be ‘Weapons’.
The script for ‘Weapons’ was extremely sought out in Hollywood, with directors like Jordan Peele interested (he fired his management after losing the bidding war), but Cregger ultimately won and was able to translate his vision from page to screen.
Things to do:
- Subscribe to The Hollywood Insider’s YouTube Channel, by clicking here.
- Limited Time Offer – FREE Subscription to The Hollywood Insider
- Click here to read more on The Hollywood Insider’s vision, values and mission statement here – Media has the responsibility to better our world – The Hollywood Insider fully focuses on substance and meaningful entertainment, against gossip and scandal, by combining entertainment, education, and philanthropy.
‘Weapons’ is a fascinating sophomore effort by Cregger, one that seriously improves his abilities both technically and thematically. Although the way this movie is plotted may not be for everyone (people might get sick of seeing some of the same things play out from different perspectives), it is structured and paced better than any horror movie in this decade, especially amidst an era filled with self-proclaimed “elevated horror”.
Every recent horror movie seems to be marketed as the “scariest movie ever” (i.e. ‘Longlegs’) when they are just merely trying to get a reaction out of people. However, ‘Weapons’ builds up an eerie atmosphere before delivering scares in the right places – ones that are truly terrifying. Cregger knows how to freak out an audience while making them laugh at the same time. He knows how to frame dark corners (especially basements) and everything in between. And he sure as hell is the future of the horror genre as we know it.
An Overview Of ‘Weapons’
The first chapter follows Justine Gandy (Julia Garner), a teacher at Maybrook Elementary under fire from all sorts of people in the small, quiet town after seventeen kids from her class all mysteriously disappear from their homes at 2:17 A.M. one day. Justine is a borderline alcoholic who still hasn’t processed what hasn’t happened to the children (proven in her nightmares) and forms an obsession with the one boy who didn’t go missing, Alex Lilly (Cary Christopher).
WATCH THE TRAILER of the Film and the Revolution: ‘Can I Go Home Now?’
The Children Around the World Continue to Ask the question
This obsession leads her down a dark path, one that continues to haunt her the rest of the film. She discovers that something is off in the Lilly household, whether it’s the newspapers covering the windows or the two parents sitting way too still on the couch, but no one really believes her. Some parents even think she is the reason for the disappearance (without any evidence really), especially Archer (Josh Brolin), the father of one of the boys who went missing. He isn’t afraid of bringing up her past problems as well, such as her DUI and inappropriate conduct at the school she previously worked at.
Marcus (Benedict Wong), the school’s principal, urges Justine to stay away from Alex so she doesn’t draw any more suspicion, considering she has eyes all over her and threats coming in left and right. Paul (Alden Ehrenreich), a cop in Maybrook who also has an on again, off again relationship with Justine, tries to get her to stop drinking because it only makes things worse. He really cares for her, but this worrying ultimately leads to him getting into trouble not on his own accord.
Cregger builds up all of this tension and paranoia that has taken over this small town in the first chapter of ‘Weapons’ and turns it up to eleven in the ones that follow. His ability to balance the true horror circulating this community and the comedy that comes with it is impressive to say the least. Take Archer’s chapter as an example. It features one of the most frightening scares in the movie followed by the funniest line read, both of which take place in a room with a ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ poster and Batman bed sheets (Brolin lying in a kids bed is an astounding shot). The paranoia escalates in characters’ dreams or visions, with them seeing certain people or motifs in dreams (the AR-15 floating above Archer’s is the closest thing to something Lynchian).
Related article: Why Queen Elizabeth II Is One Of The Greatest Monarchs | Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of United Queendom of Great Britain & Northern Ireland (Video Insight)
Related article: – Want GUARANTEED SUCCESS? Remove these ten words from your vocabulary| Transform your life INSTANTLY
Related article: Box Office Breakouts: The 2025 Films Dominating Theaters – Hollywood Insider
All of the chapters repeat information we’ve already been given in the preceding ones but through a different lens. We know that Marcus tries to kill Justine, we just don’t know why. We know something in Alex’s house is messed up (especially after Austin Abrams’ James goes in the basement), we just don’t know what. ‘Weapons’ is a slow burn in that sense, but not one that will make you scratch your head and think to yourself why this is taking so long to get from point A to point B.
‘Weapons’ seems like a serial killer thriller, similar to ‘Prisoners’, throughout the first hour or so, but takes a different turn when we get to the final chapters, specifically Marcus’s and Alex’s. We learn that a supernatural force is really behind the disappearances of these children, one that has been lurking in people’s dreams and infesting themselves into the small town of Maybrook.
Related article: EVOLUTION: Every Ryan Gosling Role From 1995 to 2020, All Performances Exceptionally Poignant
Related article: EVOLUTION: Every Henry Cavill Role From 2001 to 2021, All Performances Exceptionally Poignant
Related article: All Best Actor/Actress Speeches From The Beginning Of Oscars 1929-2019 | Hollywood Insider
The moment Alex’s Aunt Gladys (Amy Madigan) squeaks her way onto the screen, you know something is off with her. Whether it’s her blood red lipstick, her pale, pale face, or the very obvious wig, we know that she is the evil that’s been hiding in plain sight, jump-scaring the living hell out of the audience in dream sequences without revealing who she was or what her motives were. The final two chapters are so rewarding after the bits and pieces that are given as crumbs by Cregger finally mesh together and turn into something so chaotic and wicked.
Gladys is the embodiment of evil. She feeds off the weakness and goodness of those around her and causes others to devolve into pure madness and rage. She’s a parasite. One that has managed to suck all the life out of young children and loving parents for her own benefit. These people exist in real life (even if they aren’t witches) and seep their way into regular, quiet towns only to benefit themselves.
Related article: Understanding the Star Wars Timeline
Related article: A Tribute to Francis Ford Coppola: One of Cinema’s Unforgettable Directors | ‘Megalopolis’, ‘The Godfather’ & More
Related article: #metoo Revolution: Powerful Questions That Need Answers
Related article: FACT-CHECKED Series: Timothee Chalamet and 32 Facts about The Young Superstar
Movies To Watch If You Liked ‘Weapons’
‘Prisoners’ (2013) Directed by Denis Villeneuve/Starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Hugh Jackman
‘Magnolia’ (1999) Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson/Ensemble Cast with Tom Cruise, Julianne Moore, John C.Reilly, and many more
‘Pulp Fiction’ (1994) Directed by Quentin Tarantino/Starring John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson
‘Little Children’ (2006) Directed by Todd Field/Starring Kate Winslet and Patrick Wilson
‘Ordinary People’ (1980) Directed by Robert Redford/Starring Donald Sutherland and Mary Tyler Moore
By Aidan Reidy
Click here to read The Hollywood Insider’s CEO Pritan Ambroase’s love letter to Cinema, TV and Media. An excerpt from the love letter: The Hollywood Insider’s CEO/editor-in-chief Pritan Ambroase affirms, “We have the space and time for all your stories, no matter who/what/where you are. Media/Cinema/TV have a responsibility to better the world and The Hollywood Insider will continue to do so. Talent, diversity and authenticity matter in Cinema/TV, media and storytelling. In fact, I reckon that we should announce “talent-diversity-authenticity-storytelling-Cinema-Oscars-Academy-Awards” as synonyms of each other. We show respect to talent and stories regardless of their skin color, race, gender, sexuality, religion, nationality, etc., thus allowing authenticity into this system just by something as simple as accepting and showing respect to the human species’ factual diversity. We become greater just by respecting and appreciating talent in all its shapes, sizes, and forms. Award winners, which includes nominees, must be chosen on the greatness of their talent ALONE.
I am sure I am speaking for a multitude of Cinema lovers all over the world when I speak of the following sentiments that this medium of art has blessed me with. Cinema taught me about our world, at times in English and at times through the beautiful one-inch bar of subtitles. I learned from the stories in the global movies that we are all alike across all borders. Remember that one of the best symbols of many great civilizations and their prosperity has been the art they have left behind. This art can be in the form of paintings, sculptures, architecture, writings, inventions, etc. For our modern society, Cinema happens to be one of them. Cinema is more than just a form of entertainment, it is an integral part of society. I love the world uniting, be it for Cinema, TV, media, art, fashion, sport, etc. Please keep this going full speed.”
More Interesting Stories From The Hollywood Insider
– Want GUARANTEED SUCCESS? Remove these ten words from your vocabulary| Transform your life INSTANTLY
– A Tribute to Martin Scorsese: A Complete Analysis of the Life and Career of the Man Who Lives and Breathes Cinema
– Do you know the hidden messages in ‘Call Me By Your Name’? Find out behind the scenes facts in the full commentary and In-depth analysis of the cinematic masterpiece
– A Tribute To The Academy Awards: All Best Actor/Actress Speeches From The Beginning Of Oscars 1929-2019 | From Rami Malek, Leonardo DiCaprio To Denzel Washington, Halle Berry & Beyond | From Olivia Colman, Meryl Streep To Bette Davis & Beyond
– In the 32nd Year Of His Career, Keanu Reeves’ Face Continues To Reign After Launching Movies Earning Over $4.3 Billion In Total – “John Wick”, “Toy Story 4”, “Matrix”, And Many More
Aidan Reidy is a writer who’s currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in motion pictures screenwriting at the University of Miami. He is passionate about the entertainment industry and enjoys watching most genres. He is interested in every aspect of filmmaking ranging from technical aspects like editing and sound mixing to acting and directing styles. Hollywood Insider’s commitment to substance-filled articles rather than gossip columns attracted him to the website, creating an enjoyable environment for him to write in and aligning with his personal values, as well.
Aidan Reidy is a writer who’s currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in motion pictures screenwriting at the University of Miami. He is passionate about the entertainment industry and enjoys watching most genres. He is interested in every aspect of filmmaking ranging from technical aspects like editing and sound mixing to acting and directing styles. Hollywood Insider’s commitment to substance-filled articles rather than gossip columns attracted him to the website, creating an enjoyable environment for him to write in and aligning with his personal values, as well.
