WEAPONS
Starring: Julia Garner, Josh Brolin, Alden Ehrenreich, Cary Christopher, Austin Abrams, Benedict Wong, and Amy Madigan
Director: Zach Cregger
ADRIANO
It doesn't reach the highs of writer/director Zach Cregger's previous horror outing, Barbarian, but Weapons shows that his knack for absurd horror-comedy wasn't a fluke. I don't know if everything that's bubbling under the surface is quite realized beyond its portrayal of community hysteria; however, even if you ignore the subtext, you still have a fun movie that keeps turning up the dial in obscene ways with genuinely shocking reveals that enhance the evolving plot. I certainly need to sit with Weapons longer, but I recognize how much of a unique thrill ride it was, and maybe that's enough.
NICK
Although I enjoyed parts of Zach Cregger's Barbarian, I was ultimately underwhelmed. The same is true of his latest film, Weapons. Much like Barbarian, there's some greatness (an intriguing story and dynamic camerawork), but once again, my issue is with the sum of its parts. The spooky story is undone by out-of-place (though funny) comedy that undermines the eeriness of the film. Even the well-built mystery stutters a little as the film transitions into its bonkers final act – an act I enjoyed, but with some serious tonal whiplash. Now that I know what it is, perhaps a revisiting is necessary.
ROBERT
A big debate recently has been about the lack of true comedy lighting up silver screens, but what has been apparent is that a number of funny voices opt for genre filmmaking. Such filmmakers have extensive comedy backgrounds, and that is true of Zach Cregger and Weapons. I am one for tonal shifts if they don’t inspire dissonance, and I think there is a juxtaposed realness with wackiness that Weapons hops to and from expertly. The same is true of its parallel seriousness and comical ridiculousness. Cregger blends a powerful cast with smart pacing and vibrant cinematography; run towards it at all costs.
PAIGE
Weapons is a thrilling and memorable rollercoaster of a ride that will have you gripping the edge of your seat throughout. The film’s atmosphere is certainly tense and moody, but it also isn’t afraid to have a fun sense of humor. Its episodic storytelling structure allows each of the characters to shine and enhances the film’s overall approach to the narrative. While the film’s buildup is more compelling and satisfying than the ultimate payoff, which lacks substance, I can’t help but feel that after his sophomore outing, writer/director Zach Cregger has solidified himself as a must-watch filmmaker.
QUENTIN
When it comes to pure, edge-of-your-seat horror-suspense engagement, I’m not sure there are many titles that compare to Weapons. The Pulp Fiction-ish story structure kept me wondering what was coming next with wide eyes, and while the performances are exactly as good as they need to be, they ultimately take a backseat to Zach Cregger's writing and direction. After this and Barbarian, he’s clearly “that dude" for new horror (maybe moreso than Jordan Peele). Admittedly, the ending gets a little too comical, presenting a tonal whiplash that could break your neck, but 99 percent of a masterpiece is still goddamn good.
KATIE
Weapons fires on all fronts. It’s brimming with ideas, full of incredible performances, particularly the young Cary Christopher (one of the best child actors I’ve ever seen in a horror film), and most importantly, is genuinely scary. The terrifying imagery will undoubtedly haunt me for weeks to come, and the jump scares feel earned rather than cheap, effectively speaking to modern American societal fears in this spine-chilling fairy tale. It kept me perpetually tense and desperate to know what was around each corner, and I found that the dark comedy perfectly complemented the horror, creating an even more unsettling experience.
BODE
It’s obvious how large Paul Thomas Anderson’s Magnolia looms over Zach Cregger’s latest film, Weapons. That go-for-broke inspiration is apparent in almost every frame, right down to its insane close. It’s a big showcase of his impressive skills and clear interests as a filmmaker. It’s almost a shame that - for as entertaining as it is throughout - it doesn’t leave you with more to chew on, especially in comparison to its main inspiration (or even Cregger’s own Barbarian, which did more with less). Still, studio horror is in a good place if we keep getting big swings like this.
AMARÚ
Zach Cregger has a masterfully compelling handle on his direction, with imagery and camerawork that really puts the audience into his stories. With that said, Weapons is a clusterfuck. A hodgepodge of frustration, confusion, intrigue, humor, bewilderment, mystery, and captivating writing (also by Cregger) that had my love of puzzle-piece storytelling battling my exasperation with stupid people doing stupid things for stupid reasons in horror films. Which side won depended on how the film landed its multi-point-of-view conundrum, and while I still have questions and it’s a bit too long, I can’t deny that I left satisfied.
