We begin with 17 kids, all in the same class, who disappeared in the middle of the night. At 2:17 a.m., seemingly unprompted, they all got out of bed, opened the door, and ran out into the night. No one knows where they went. No one knows why. No one knows how to find them.
It’s a terrifying and edgy scenario. That’s the set up for Weapons, the second feature for writer/director Zach Cregger. It’s his follow up from Barbarian, a horror film that had twists that left audiences engaged, entertained, and often stunned. Weapons will likely generate many of the same responses as one of the most anticipated films of the summer.
The basic set up of the missing children has been part of the marketing campaign—right down to being listed on the posters. We pick up a month later and this small town is still reeling. Parents are angry, frustrated, and lost. And the teacher whose students disappeared, Justine (Julia Garner), is in the middle of a firestorm. She has no answers, and yet everyone is looking at her to know why this happened and where these children went.
The plot for this film unfolds slowly and in layers. I won’t spoil more than the set up here, but the film follows a few different core characters, seeing a period of time from their perspective. Each of the segments provides more pieces of what’s going on until the final 30 minutes, which is a thrill ride that ends in a graphic and unexpected way.
Some might quibble with the ultimate answer to what’s going on or might object to the fact that the ending feels a bit sudden after so much build up. I understand those criticisms, but it didn’t impact my enjoyment or engagement with this film. Cregger takes the audience on a journey. It’s weird, wild, and completely engrossing.
By the time we got to the final turn, I was on the edge of my seat. I stayed that way throughout the final sequence, which was satisfying in an over-the-top way. This includes some visual sequences that will stick with you after the credits roll.
The cast here is excellent. In addition to Garner, Josh Brolin, Austin Abrams, Alden Ehrenreich, and Benedict Wong all play key roles and key points of view in the story. A couple of the standouts are young Cary Christopher, who has to do a lot of heavy lifting in the narrative as the lone student in his class who didn’t disappear. Also incredible is Amy Madigan, who plays a role you have to see in context to appreciate. She is a big part of what makes the film’s final 45 minutes so effective.
Weapons delivers on the promise of its potential. It shows that Cregger remains a creative and interesting storyteller. The craft here, including the unique camera movements, makes this a visually engaging story, while the writing is crisp and keeps you engaged. There is even space for some humorous moments here, which helps break up the tension.
This is one of the best films of the year so far. It’s worth seeking out in theaters, especially for those who love a good horror/thriller.
Weapons is now playing in theaters nationwide.