Weapons builds and releases tension while keeping audiences wondering until the end. However, the reveal is less terrifying and more humorous.
Weapons keeps surprises in the shadows of every creepy open door. The horror film steeped itself in uncomfortable moments in the first half of the movie before immersing audiences in gore and laughter. Some are comedy; others are to combat discomfort. As movies lean into a more genre-fluid filmmaking style, what qualifies as horror becomes murkier. While there may be enough jump scares and creepiness in the first half to earn a horror label, the film loses its title by the end. Weapons builds and releases tension while keeping audiences wondering until the end. However, the reveal is less terrifying and more humorous.
From writer/director of Barbarian, Zach Cregger, the movie follows a mystery of mass disappearances of all but one student from one teacher’s classroom. It creates tension, resentment, and distrust as strange moments and situations ramp up. The storytelling style is unique given the number of perspectives shown in the film. Plus, Cregger has a keen eye for the most uncomfortable shots that leave you squirming in your seat. The combination ensures a memorable chill on recall. Weapons might not be nightmare-inducing, but it is a lot of fun.
Weapons Has Child Star Power
It may not look like much, but seeing kids running in the night with their arms outstretched like a plane—without the requisite kid fun—is not easy to make creepy. Each child pulls it off. There’s a rigidity to their bodies as they run that makes it apparent this is no joyride if the looming darkness they dash into was not a sufficient indicator.
But Alex, played by Cary Christopher (Days of Our Lives, Spider-Noir), the sole kid left in class, is amazing in the role. He balances fear alongside resilience and resistance, making everything far more believable thanks to his performance. Without him, the story would falter into a gory comedy like the Evil Dead series. Not a bad thing per se, but not befitting this film.
Other cast members, such as Julia Garner (The Fantastic Four: First Steps, Wolf Man) as the teacher with the missing students, Justine Gandy, give a wonderful performance. Although her depiction feels too subdued at the wrong times and over-the-top at others, she does a great job of depicting a woman fighting not to unravel. Aside from the supernatural elements, the cast makes the characters real. Josh Brolin (Avengers: Infinity War, Deadpool 2) delivers as Archer, a frustrated, guilt-riddled father, while Benedict Wong (Doctor Strange, The Martian) is amazing as Andrew, stuck trying to keep the school from falling apart.
Direction Drenched in Tension
Director Zach Cregger’s observant eye for angles and holding a shot creates much of the discomfort. It’s more of a mystery with horror elements. The jump scares do not elevate the terror. Instead, it feels unnecessary in such an eerie movie. It’s like adding a condiment to mashed potatoes or stew. If it’s good, it can stand on its own, and Weapon achieves that. It’s also why the comedic elements feel unnecessary and remove tension. It’s funny and I laughed, but I long for the version without the chuckles.
Weapons is a film that forces you to revise how you feel over time. At first, I thought it was good, but too heavy on jump scares. But when it’s lights out at bedtime and you see the shadows in your room and imagine a creepy orange-haired woman or wait in fear for a propeller-armed child to dash into your bedroom, you realize it is scary. The time jumps, so audiences see experiences through different characters, drag on occasion. Weapons is an uncomfortable thriller, blending frights, mystery, and laughter.
