Weapons

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!

I liked Creggers' Barbarian a lot, but he didn't entirely stick the landing for me. Weapons is his sophomore effort, and you can see the confidence in direction and story telling is more refined. I had a blast watching this, as much as i love serious horror, Weapons wasn't afraid to inject some huge laughs to release the tension. Its gonna be hard to choose between this and 'Bring her Back', as my fave horror of the year thus far...

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.

Weapons is a tense and gripping new horror from Zach Cregger that lives up to much of its immense hype. The story follows a community reeling after all but one child from the same class vanish on the same night at exactly the same time, and from there it unfolds with a sharp mix of mystery, dread, and dark humor. The acting across the board is phenomenal, the suspense is crafted with precision, and the world building for the small town setting feels rich and lived in. Practical effects shine, the score adds weight to the tension, and there are even moments of levity that break up the intensity without ever killing the mood.

What makes Weapons stand out is how confidently it holds your attention. From start to finish, it's a film that refuses to let go, pulling you deeper into its unsettling premise. It's refreshing to see such commitment to originality in mainstream horror, and the movie feels like a love letter to the genre's willingness to take risks. While the final reveal of what truly happened may divide viewers, and for me personally, it didn't entirely stick the landing but the journey there is so compelling that it's hard not to walk away impressed.

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)