Weapons - Die Stunde des Verschwindens

Weapons delivers a bold and refreshing take on horror. The cinematography is sharp, the casting is spot-on, and the jump scares are genuinely effective. Major credit to the writers - they've crafted a horror film that feels inventive and daring.

Director Zach Cregger continues to prove he's not afraid to break the mold, following up Barbarian (2022) with another unpredictable, non-traditional narrative. The story starts off familiar, but quickly evolves into something far more layered and unsettling.

I especially appreciated the decision to split the narrative across multiple characters - it added depth and gave the audience a clearer view of the bigger picture.

My only real critique is the ending - it was a bit abstract and left me slightly unsatisfied. Still, it fits the film's overall tone and ambition.

Highly recommended for fans of horror that challenges the norm.

A Pennsylvania teacher's nightmares begin when her entire classroom vanishes, leaving only one disturbed boy.

The trailer caught my attention, and I went in expecting a decent movie; I wasn't expecting to be as entertained as I was. Weapons absolutely delivered on all levels.

The storytelling was amazing; it was like an onion being peeled back, layer after layer. It was so clever. There were so many creepy moments, and the scenes inside the house were at times chilling and really unsettling.

Great characters; Gladys was an absolute riot and deserves to return in whatever format. Amy Madigan was fantastic, and credit goes to the makeup team as well. This is the most different and creatively imaginative film I've seen in ages. I loved it.

Out of interest, this is a challenging movie for snacks at the cinema, there are multiple silent scenes, you'll hear every slurp of coke and every crunch of popcorn. I'll never take pringles again.

8/10.

1) I love horror movies.

2) I avoided all trailers, marketing and reviews, so I am not a victim of overhyping.

3) I felt like this would be another example of a movie that will be unanimously praised and lauded as the best/scariest horror movie of the year. That seems to be the case.

4) Six stars is a positive score, but this review will be mostly negative as I try to explain why I didn't like this more.

5) The mystery is built masterfully. But once we find out who or what is behind the horror, all I could think is, "That's it?" I hoped there was more to the story or somewhere interesting the plot could go from there. But there really isn't.

6) They keep telling us more about the flawed characters, and have them involved in drama, which I enjoyed as it happened. But it doesn't come into play even a tiny bit, not with the story or any character arcs.

7) There are some really good horror elements and jaw-dropping moments. But I ask myself if I would watch this again, and the answer is... probably not.

8) It's a good movie, but I can't help but feel underwhelmed.

(1 viewing, opening Thursday EMX 8/7/2025)

Weapons is without a doubt one of the most intense and fascinating horror movies I've ever seen. I rarely give good reviews to any horror film but this one went above and beyond my expectations. The premise is quite simple, a classroom of kids goes missing. It sounds normal, but something about the plot is so eerie and terrifying it keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout. The film does a good job of balancing the horror with some comedy to alleviate the underlying tension that is there. Weapons has so many twists and turns that will keep you guessing throughout. Josh Brolin and Julia Garner carry this film. I highly recommend seeing this movie in theaters with an audience, it really makes the experience a whole lot better.

I must say, this movie truly has it all - mystery, horror, and excellent storytelling.

Normally, it takes a while for a film to draw me in and build up the suspense, but this one grabs your attention from the very first scene and keeps you hooked all the way through.

The pacing is tight, the atmosphere is intense, and the story unfolds in a way that keeps you constantly curious. I also really appreciated the performances - the acting felt authentic and added depth to the overall experience.

The ending was satisfying, though I gave it 8 stars because a few elements of the mystery remained unresolved - or perhaps intentionally left open to interpretation.

Still, a fantastic film and a must-watch for fans of smart, original horror!