Weapons Review: Josh Brolin and Julia Garner starrer isn’t just scary — it’s smart, sinister, and seriously good

Weapons Review: Be it Zack’s Barbarian, the prolific Sinners by Ryan Coogler, or now Weapons—the way horror as a genre is bouncing back deserves celebration.

Weapons Movie Review

Weapons Review: Story - One unfortunate night in the fictional town of Maybrook, Pennsylvania, 17 children from the same class walk out of their homes at exactly 2:17 AM and disappear into the darkness, never to be found again. There’s no trace of them. Just two loose ends: Alex (Cary Christopher), the only student who didn’t vanish, and their class teacher, Justine (Julia Garner). Everyone is trying to make sense of the mystery in their own way—including Archer Graff (Josh Brolin), whose son Matthew was among the 17. As secrets unravel and strange happenings occur, a dark conspiracy takes centre stage. Will the children ever return?

Weapons Review: Analysis

If there’s one genre globally misunderstood and often mistreated, it’s horror. Once one of cinema’s most experimental and flourishing categories, horror has long struggled to scare audiences in ways that linger. Occasionally, a film would break the mould, but only recently have a few visionary directors begun to revive the genre with genuine creativity. Among them is Zack Cregger, who continues to push boundaries with genre-bending horror—and his latest, Weapons is no exception.

Cregger blends investigative storytelling with psychological horror, making sure that viewers aren’t just engaged—they're immersed. Weapons on the surface, is a tragedy: 17 children vanish without a trace. This total lack of clues becomes the engine that drives the film. Viewers and characters alike are left equally puzzled—are the children alive? Dead? Were they abducted? Is something supernatural at play? The director raises all these questions, only to twist expectations as the mystery unfolds across this taut two-hour runtime.

What sets Weapons apart is how it avoids the clichéd horror playbook. There’s no overuse of gore or lazy jump scares. Instead, it marinates you in the unsettling idea that something terrible is happening in this small town—and no one knows what. Whether it’s a deranged killer, a ghost, or something worse is left ambiguous for a significant part of the film. Of course, Weapons still has its share of jump scares, but they’re deployed cleverly. Take Justine, for instance. Her “Who’s there?” sequences are well-placed and ambiguous—was it really a ghost, or just her mind playing tricks?

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One of the most compelling techniques in Weapons is its chapter-based structure. Every key character who impacts the final reveal is given a chapter. These often take us into flashbacks, which could have easily become repetitive. But Cregger’s command over storytelling and structure ensures that every flashback rewards the viewer with deeper understanding. The narrative stays tight, well-paced, and each chapter connects seamlessly to the next.

This isn’t your typical horror movie. Each frame serves a purpose. Every character, every action, every detail is tied into the core mystery. Cregger makes Weapons feel like a conversation—you wonder “how?” and the film answers you, piece by piece. This approach creates an incredibly satisfying and immersive experience.

Still, the one drawback is the constant shift in perspective with each chapter. It’s a bit bumpy at times, momentarily pulling you out of the experience. But the story recovers quickly, thanks to what follows. It’s difficult to describe the plot in more detail without giving away spoilers, but rest assured—there’s enough meat here for fans of horror, mystery, and thrillers alike. Cregger confirms that his brand of horror is rooted in psychological suspense, not cheap theatrics. He uses lighting, music, and mood to incredible effect.

That said, the cinematography doesn’t quite break new ground. Visually, Weapons feels familiar—especially given the recent success of films like Sinners which set a high visual benchmark. The shots are clean and serviceable, but lack that extra layer of distinctiveness that could have elevated the film even further.

Julia Garner fully embodies the role of Justine. You forget she was the Silver Surfer just weeks ago—here, she becomes our surrogate, learning things as we do, reacting as we might. She serves as an excellent anchor. Josh Brolin as Archer , delivers a grounded, powerful performance. He’s not a man paralysed by grief, but one driven to find his son and uncover the truth. Amy Madigan’s role is pivotal, but to reveal it would be a disservice. Just know that her performance is commanding and memorable.

Weapons Review: Final Verdict

The horror genre is back, and films like Weapons are keeping the momentum alive. In only his second feature, Zack Cregger proves that horror still has plenty to say—and ways to say it. Weapons is an atmospheric, intelligent, and emotionally gripping investigative thriller. It’s not just a film to watch, but one to experience.

Weapons hits the big screen on 8 August 2025. Stay tuned to OTTplay for more updates on this and everything else from the world of streaming and cinema.

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