Like every horror fan, I’ve been itching to see Zach Cregger’s Weapons. However, I have been dreading it at the same time. When a movie receives as much hype as this one has, it rarely stands up to the buzz. Last night, I finally sat down to watch it, and I have some thoughts.
The film has a chilling premise: all but one child from the same class (Alex) mysteriously vanishes on the same night. The community is left desperate, questioning who—or what—is behind the disappearances.
First off, any time kids are featured in a horror movie, they always creep me out. Think Damien, Ester, and Gage. And Weapons features a ton of them. Everything about them in the film is spooky as hell. I will say I was impressed by young Cary Christopher’s performance as Alex. He did a fantastic job.
Weapon’s main characters include Justine, the teacher suspected of having something to do with the disappearances, played by Julia Garner, and Archer, a father determined to solve the mystery, played by Josh Brolin. Both gave great performances.
No horror movie is complete without brutal deaths, and when it comes to Weapons, one stands out above the others. Clayton Farris’ character, Terry, husband of the principal (Benedict Wong), got the most brutal end. Not only was it barbaric, but it was also disgusting (I’m not going to spoil it). It’s hard to imagine what he experienced during filming. I will say, Farris did warn me during our interview, but I wasn’t prepared. I actually retched during the scene, something I never do. That left me pleasantly surprised.
For half the movie, the children’s disappearance is a complete mystery. However, when the truth is finally revealed, it is something I never saw coming, a miracle in itself. The twist is truly clever. Writer-director Zach Cregger delivers a great film with a chilling story, near-constant action, and impressive special effects. Every director has that one film that automatically comes to mind when you think of them; this is his. And that’s something he should be proud of.
To sum it all up, Weapons is a movie that should be at the top of every horror fan’s “must-see” list. Yes, it lives up to the hype. It’s a movie that will keep you on the edge of your seat and guessing from beginning to end. It has a fresh story that is unique and a welcome change from the predictable movies we often get. It builds tension well and gives gorehounds the blood and guts they crave. If you can’t tell by now, I absolutely loved it! In fact, I can guarantee you will find it on our annual “Best of” list.
Be sure to check out our interview with actor Cayton Farris to get an actor’s perspective on Weapons. And watch the movie now on Digital, VOD, and Blu-ray!
