Title: Weapons
MPA Rating: R
Director: Zach Cregger
Starring: Julia Garner, Josh Brolin, Amy Madigan
Runtime: 2 hrs 8 mins

What It Is: At 2:17 a.m., 17 out of the 18 students in third-grade teacher Justine Gandy’s (Garner) class suddenly get up and run out of their homes. The only student left is Alex (Cary Christopher), who has no idea what’s going on. The entire town believes Justine had something to do with it, but she’s determined to prove her innocence. As the mystery deepens, questions pile up: Where are the missing children? What happened to them? Even the police seem skeptical—but one thing is clear: there’s more here than meets the eye.

What We Think: When looking at Zach Cregger, you first have to consider his previous film, Barbarian. Our very own James was a big fan of Cregger’s debut, and I can say this is a very solid sophomore effort. There are some logical leaps one has to take with a story like this, but Amy Madigan’s Aunt Gladys is a truly terrifying presence—methodical and wicked. Garner plays her role incredibly well; you really feel for her and the situation she’s in surrounding these kids, even if she occasionally makes frustrating decisions. That said, I kind of hated the ending—it all felt a bit too “easy.”

Our Grade: B-, I thought this was good. Not great, but it fills the void for suspenseful, mystery-driven horror, and it doesn’t skimp on the violence or disturbing imagery. 2025 has been packed with strong horror films, and this one stands right alongside them. What it lacks in logic and sense, it makes up for in pure suspense. Even if you can see where it’s heading—which was my biggest issue with the ending—it’s still a tense, engaging ride. Coupled with Cregger’s other work, this marks another interesting entry in modern horror film making. I recommend it, though it won’t be for everyone.