Zach Cregger’s follow-up to Barbarian is the mystery-horror Weapons. In a story told from the point of view of different characters in multiple chapters, a town grieves and searches after a group of children mysteriously run out of their homes and into darkness at 2.17am, with no credible reason why.
The town’s suspicions fall upon their Justine Gandy (Julia Garner), and a question mark remains over the one child in her class – Alex – who didn’t disappear (Cary Christopher). Put on leave by Principal Miller (Benedict Wong), Justine decides to spend her time investigating the disappearance, while also drinking and fooling around with local cop Paul (Alden Ehrenreich). Archer (Josh Brolin), the father of one of the missing children, also investigates the mystery, while he and Justine start having strange nightmares.
You spend the start of the film wondering what the hell is going on – a good mark of a mystery. You also wonder what type of horror this is going to be – supernatural? Aliens? A modern Pied Paper fable? The ‘twist’ is revealed around the middle of the film, and it’s a classic old horror trope, but this doesn’t derail the film in any way. In fact, it makes it better. You also realise it’s been obvious from the start, hiding in plain sight, but to know this might spoil the film somewhat.
There are some great performances from Cary Christopher and Andy Madigan as weird aunt Gladys. In smaller roles are the criminally underused but always welcome Toby Huss and Barbarian’s Justin Long, now something of a horror icon himself.
Weapons is a refreshing horror with something of an It Follows vibe; a welcome feeling of trying to figure this bizarre world out or surrendering to just enjoying it. At times, especially the climax, it’s absolutely bonkers, but it’s one of the most fun horrors out there.
