In Weapons, a small American town is shaken when a series of unsettling events begins to unfold, all seemingly connected to the mysterious disappearance of local children. As the community grapples with fear and suspicion, multiple lives intersect in unexpected ways, each perspective revealing new pieces of the puzzle. Director Zach Cregger weaves these threads together into a tense, character-driven story where every glance, silence, and choice holds the weight of something far darker beneath the surface.
Weapons Trailer:

The Good
First and foremost, Weapons excels thanks to excellent and cohesive writing. The story and mystery are among its most compelling elements. Opening with the voice of a child narrator was a brilliant touch. It creates a setting that evokes an eerie yet innocent tone, perfectly framing the unsettling events to come. The mystery of the missing children and the emotional toll on the community pulls you in and refuses to let go.
The characters are each well-developed with logical backstories that inform their choices. It was refreshing to watch a thriller where actions made sense. Thankfully, the characters didn’t seem like typical horror caricatures. The balance between what is shown explicitly and what is left as subtext gives the narrative depth without handholding the audience.

Zach Cregger uses an editing style reminiscent of Barbarian. Characters are introduced and build tension to a boiling point before cutting to another perspective. This creates an unpredictable rhythm that reinforces the idea that the viewer is not in control. The cinematography supports this perfectly, especially in the haunting shots of dark hallways and slow door openings that keep you holding your breath.
The jump scares are precise and effective. Some of them evoked the all-too-familiar childhood fear of those scary nights when every shadow felt alive. The violence and gore are also worth noting. The infamous “fork” scene is brutal is going to be hard to forget. However, the kitchen sequence in the final act pushes boundaries in a way that is may be hard to watch for some people.
 

More Good:
Performances are strong across the board. Julia Garner shines as a flawed teacher carrying both internal and external burdens. Benedict Wong, however, delivers the most chilling performance in the film. His commitment to his role creates moments of pure terror.
Sound design and score are exceptional. They guide the viewer’s emotions without relying on cheap tricks. The “stakeout” scene early on, punctuated by the simple sound of a car door, is enough to send shivers down your spine.

The final act is a masterclass in pacing and payoff. The climactic use of the “weapons” manages to be both terrifying and darkly funny. I appreciated how that bit of humor didn’t undermine the gravity of the scene. It lands as a bold and satisfying conclusion.
The Bad

I suppose I did have one minor nitpick with a character in the film, who makes a discovery about the mystery. This character’s actions seemed like something the police could have and should have easily done. It’s possible that this information simply wasn’t revealed to us. Still, I think this could’ve been an instance where the character simply discovered new evidence or made a unique revelation. It may have been more believable than making it appear as though the police (or no one else for that matter) could’ve figured out that specific solution.
The Verdict

Weapons is an original and gripping mystery that delivers tension, surprises, and memorable performances. Zach Cregger has built on what made Barbarian so successful and only leveled up. This is a bold, chilling, and unforgettable thriller that begs to be experienced in a theater. With scares, intrigue, and moments of well-placed dark humor, this is a must-watch for fans of smart, intense storytelling.
 

Director: Zach CreggerWriter(s):Zach CreggerStars: Josh Brolin, Julia Garner, Alden Ehrenreich, Austin Abrams, Cary Christopher, Benedict Wong, Amy MadiganWeapons comes to theaters August 8th, 2025. Be sure to follow E-Man’s Movie Reviews on Facebook, Subscribe on YouTube, or follow me on Twitter/IG @EmansReviews for even more movie news and reviews!

Weapons (2025) Review – This Is The Horror We’ve Been Waiting For

Acting – 8/10

Cinematography/Visual Effects – 9/10

Plot/Screenplay – 9/10

Setting/Theme – 10/10

Watchability – 10/10

Rewatchability – 8/10

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