Barbarian Director’s New Horror Movie Weapons Promises Shocking Twists and Chills—Here’s What to Expect
After surprising horror fans with his twisty film Barbarian, director Zach Cregger is back with a new movie called Weapons. This time, he sticks to a more traditional horror drama format, but don’t expect it to be any more predictable. Weapons features a mysterious story about a group of children who vanish in the middle of the night, and the people left behind to deal with the aftermath.
- Overview of Weapons, the new horror movie from Zach Cregger
- Plot details and main characters
- Connections to other films and directors
- Visual style and structure
- Release date and key takeaways
What is Weapons about?
The movie opens with a chilling event: at 2:17 a.m., 17 third-graders all leave their beds and run into the night, each with their arms outstretched like airplanes. This moment is described by an unseen child narrator, who also points out that only one child from the class, Alex (Cary Christopher), didn’t disappear. The story focuses on Alex and his teacher, Justine Gandy (Julia Garner), who says she’s just as confused and scared as the parents of the missing kids.
Other important characters include Archer Graff (Josh Brolin), a determined father, Paul (Alden Ehrenreich), a local cop with a personal connection to Justine, and James (Austin Abrams), a drug-addicted thief who gets involved with the others. As the story unfolds, the film revisits events from multiple perspectives, gradually revealing the mystery.
Connections and Influences
During the end credits, the filmmakers thank David Fincher, director of Seven and Zodiac. The influence is clear: Weapons has a mysterious, almost fairy-tale-like quality that feels inspired by Fincher’s work. In fact, Andrew Kevin Walker, who wrote Seven, is also mentioned in the special thanks.
Interestingly, Cregger has also cited another ’90s film as an influence: Paul Thomas Anderson’s Magnolia. While Weapons isn’t as sprawling or emotional as Magnolia, it does use a multiple-POV approach to tell its story.
Visual Style and Storytelling
Weapons stands out for its moody atmosphere and sharp cinematography. Cinematographer Larkin Seiple helps create a night-time world that feels both clear and unsettling. The film also mixes familiar horror elements, with jump scares and a sense of dread that fans of movies like It or It Follows will recognize.
Despite its scary moments, the movie doesn’t lean too heavily into obvious metaphors or messages. Most characters don’t have children of their own, and they sometimes feel more like pieces in a puzzle than real people. However, the cast—especially Julia Garner—bring depth to their roles, hinting at hidden layers beneath the surface.
Final Details and Release Date
Ultimately, Weapons delivers a resolution that ties up its story, which can be both satisfying and a little limiting. The film is ambitious, aiming to be more than just a typical horror flick. It lands somewhere between the directness of Seven and the haunting mystery of Zodiac, keeping viewers guessing until the end.
Weapons opens in theaters on August 8. If you’re in the mood for a horror film that’s both creepy and unpredictable, this one is worth checking out.
