Movie Review : Weapons

Weapons, directed by Zach Cregger of Barbarian fame, opens with a grim mystery. 17 out of 18 children vanish from their home overnight in an American town, leaving only Alex (Cary Christopher) behind. What follows is a slow-burning investigation where superficial police efforts and parent involvement heighten the film’s sense of dread.

Cinematographer Larkin Seiple sets a haunting tone early on. One shot of children eerily emerging through doorbell camera footage lingers in memory. The spotlight shifts onto the children’s teacher, Justine (Julia Garner), who becomes the focus of suspicion. Despite minimal evidence, a distraught father (Josh Brolin) accuses her of witchcraft, and the narrative cleverly toys with this ambiguity.Cregger plays with time and perspective, replaying the same mystery through multiple lenses to stretch suspense and keep the viewer guessing. Yet, the film’s emotional detachment is its undoing. The trauma of vanished children fails to resonate—horror without heart leaves the ending feeling deflated. Comic relief by Austin Abrams, while perhaps well-intentioned, slips into unintentional absurdity in the climax. Still, performances stand out. Cary Christopher brings grounded vulnerability to Alex, while Amy Madigan shines in a memorable turn as his eccentric aunt. In sum, Weapons delivers well-crafted chills and polished scares.​