Zach Cregger’s Mysterious New Horror Film ‘Weapons’ Has Critics Raving

Coming off a film as insane and stunning as Barbarian, writer-director Zach Cregger actually knew his next movie would carry large expectations. That film, known as Weapons, is now nearly right here. And, based mostly on the primary reactions, he could have simply blown those expectations away.

Cregger wrote and directed the movie, which stars Julia Garner (Ozark, Improbable 4: First Steps) as a trainer who walks into college at some point to search out nearly her entire class has gone missing. Nobody else has gone lacking. Simply 17 college students from her class solely. And, in actual fact, all of them concurrently, at 2:17 a.m., acquired up away from bed, ran out their entrance doorways, and by no means returned. That’s the thriller on the heart of Weapons, which unfolds in an nearly Robert Altman’s Nashville, Paul Thomas Anderson’s Magnolia model of a horror movie with a number of characters—Garner’s, but in addition a father performed by Josh Brolin, a cop performed by Alden Ehrenreich, and others—all reacting to this horrific thriller.

It’s a really cool, intriguing premise that audiences will discover out about on August 8. However, forward of launch, the movie lately screened for press, and listed here are simply a number of the extremely constructive reactions, beginning with yours really.

#WeaponsMovie is past tousled & I beloved each second of it.

It is Magnolia the horror film, as a number of characters circle a giant, creepy thriller. Little bit of a gradual burn, however it pays off in big, superior, gory, disturbing methods.

Much less stunning than Barbarian, however significantly better. pic.twitter.com/lvnhOF4oNO

— Germain Lussier (@GermainLussier) July 22, 2025

#WEAPONS guidelines. Should you’re searching for a film that retains you in your toes from begin to end and delivers the sudden time and time once more, that is it. pic.twitter.com/oW2nsNX4CP

— Perri Nemiroff (@PNemiroff) July 22, 2025

WEAPONS is an absolute blast: a creepy, humorous ensemble piece that takes a MAGNOLIA/PULP FICTION/SHORT CUTS storytelling strategy to unleash a memorable suburban nightmare. The grand finale had me cackling with twisted glee. #WeaponsMovie pic.twitter.com/n4LzSjxpMl

— Chris Evangelista (@cevangelista413) July 22, 2025

Zach Cregger has crafted a horror masterpiece and the very best movie of the yr with #Weapons! It is Prisoners by the use of Magnolia with a number of the Coen’s absurdist humor. A fully BRILLIANT commentary on the attitudes and establishments in the course of the fallout of a communal tragedy. The… pic.twitter.com/TtPksjvGFS

— Griffin Schiller (@griffschiller) July 22, 2025

WEAPONS was one in every of my favourite movies of 2025 for many of its runtime, till the ultimate act introduced it down a couple of notches, and I’m positive I received’t be alone in that feeling. Nonetheless, Zach Cregger as soon as once more proves he has a present for crafting a haunting ambiance, utilizing leap scares… pic.twitter.com/4qgbtsR9bz

— Matt Neglia (@NextBestPicture) July 22, 2025

WEAPONS is simply as twisty as Zach Cregger’s debut however permits the viewers to piece collectively its thriller in a surprisingly humorous and terrifying means. It is bonkers in the very best of how and exhibits how he continues to be a visionary in horror. pic.twitter.com/OZxcE0mAON

— Rachel Leishman (@RachelLeishman) July 22, 2025

WEAPONS is downright terrifying and cements Zach Cregger as a powerful voice in fashionable horror and a grasp of thriller. I am unable to recall the final time a film gave me chills like this one did. Extraordinarily well-structured and executed with a proficient solid. Buckle the fuck up. #Weapons pic.twitter.com/9Rdh7Zuplj

— Matthieu Côté (matte) (@m77oz) July 22, 2025

WEAPONS had me laughing till it didn’t. such a assured, harrowing story about thriller and obsession and the way scary it’s to be a child and/or have a child? one other intelligent twist you received’t count on, one other nice providing from cregger, one other alden ehrenreich character i’d smooch! pic.twitter.com/G61OflxGy7

— lyvie scott (@lyviescott) July 22, 2025

So, there you’ve it. Nearly all of the reactions are over-the-moon constructive, with a couple of minor points right here and there. Which is to be anticipated. However, contemplating I personally am in these reactions, I really feel assured sufficient to say that Weapons does dwell as much as the Barbarian hype. These reactions aren’t mendacity. And, as we get nearer to the movie’s launch on August 8, you’ll see extra reactions, extra opinions, and rather more on the movie itself.

Benedict Wong, Austin Abrams, June Diane Raphael, and Amy Madigan additionally star in Weapons, which involves theaters August 8. Verify again right here on io9 for interviews with writer-director Zach Cregger in addition to star Josh Brolin quickly.

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