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

Coming off a film as insane and shocking as Barbarian, writer-director Zach Cregger definitely knew his next movie would carry large expectations. That film, referred to as Weapons, is now nearly right here. And, primarily based on the primary reactions, he might have simply blown those expectations away.

Cregger wrote and directed the movie, which stars Julia Garner (Ozark, Improbable 4: First Steps) as a instructor who walks into faculty someday to seek out nearly her entire class has gone missing. Nobody else has gone lacking. Simply 17 college students from her class solely. And, in reality, all of them concurrently, at 2:17 a.m., obtained up away from bed, ran out their entrance doorways, and by no means returned. That’s the thriller on the middle 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 not too long ago screened for press, and listed below are simply among the extremely optimistic reactions, beginning with yours actually.

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

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

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

— Germain Lussier (@GermainLussier) July 22, 2025

#WEAPONS guidelines. Should you’re in search of a film that retains you in your toes from begin to end and delivers the surprising 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 among the Coen’s absurdist humor. A completely BRILLIANT commentary on the attitudes and establishments throughout the fallout of a communal tragedy. The… pic.twitter.com/TtPksjvGFS

— Griffin Schiller (@griffschiller) July 22, 2025

WEAPONS was one in all my favourite movies of 2025 for many of its runtime, till the ultimate act introduced it down a couple of notches, and I’m certain 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 soar 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 approach. 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 robust voice in trendy 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 gifted forged. 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 anticipate, 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 will have it. Virtually all of the reactions are over-the-moon optimistic, 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 critiques, 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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