When Zach Cregger unleashed Barbarian into the world in 2022, many hailed the director as a recent voice in fashionable horror. He took a step again following its success to pen the animated sci-fi comedy Mars, and produce this yr’s sci-fi thriller, Companion. Now, he’’ again within the director’s chair with Weapons, the long-awaited follow-up to his groundbreaking horror hit, however is it simply nearly as good? Based mostly on early reactions to the movie, the reply isn’t any, it isn’t nearly as good – it is even higher!
Following an early screening of Weapons forward of its vast launch on August 8, social media is buzzing with reactions to the movie, which stars the likes of Josh Brolin, Julia Garner, Alden Ehrenreich, and Austin Abrams. Critic Matthieu Côté known as it “downright terrifying,” and a movie that “cements Zach Cregger as a powerful voice in fashionable horror and a grasp of thriller.” They added:
“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 forged. Buckle the f*ck up.”
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Griffin Schiller was one other critic who loved Weapons, saying that “Zach Cregger has crafted a horror masterpiece and the very best movie of the yr.” The very best movie of the yr? That is a daring assertion, however one which’s backed up by @filmsbyJuan, who provides that it “defines a style” and is “an instantaneous traditional.” They continued to heap reward upon the film, evaluating it to some classics, whereas on the similar time echoing the phrases of Schiller:
“I dare to say alongside Psycho, The Shining, and The Exorcist. Cregger’s storytelling reaches new heights, creating a brand new sense of what horror will be and might do. It is one of many yr’s finest, perhaps the very best. An otherworldly expertise!”
‘Weapons’ Is Simply as Compelling as ‘Barbarian’
Whereas there have been a couple of trailers and cryptic messages launched about Weapons main as much as its launch, little or no is understood in regards to the general plot of the film aside from that it follows the case of seventeen children from the identical classroom who mysteriously disappear in a single day at the very same time. Like Barbarian earlier than it, you’ll be able to count on numerous twists and turns because the thriller unravels, as critic Rachel Leishman notes:
“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 the way and reveals how he continues to be a visionary in horror.”
“Weapons is an absolute blast,” added Chris Evangelista from Slash Movie, writing that it is “a creepy, humorous ensemble piece that takes a Magnolia/Pulp Fiction/Brief Cuts storytelling method to unleash a memorable suburban nightmare.” After all, with any film, not all of the reactions have been overwhelmingly optimistic, as Matt Neglia was in a position to deliver a extra vital eye to issues in his submit. He mentioned that “till the ultimate act introduced it down a couple of notches,” Weapons was “considered one of my favourite movies of 2025 for many of its runtime.” He would go on to say that the ending “is not as satisfying as I had hoped,” however nonetheless had nothing however good issues to say about Cregger as a director, including:
“Nonetheless, Zach Cregger as soon as once more proves he has a present for crafting a haunting environment, utilizing leap scares sparingly however to nice impact. Positively extra bold than Barbarian in just about each approach.”
All in all, evidently horror followers are positively in for a deal with when Weapons hits theaters on August 8, however till we get there, you may get a glimpse of what you are in retailer for by streaming Barbarian, which is now obtainable on Netflix.
Supply: X
Weapons
- Launch Date
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August 8, 2025
- Runtime
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128 minutes
- Producers
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Roy Lee, Miri Yoon, J.D. Lifshitz