Writer-director Zach Cregger has solidified his status as a rising star in the horror genre with his sophomore feature, Weapons. Building on the success of his debut film Barbarian, Weapons is a bold and ambitious follow-up that showcases Cregger’s ability to craft a twisted tale with refreshing unexpectedness.
The film tells the story of a small town in Pennsylvania where 17 children from the same third-grade class vanish under mysterious circumstances. As the story unfolds through six parts, each focusing on a different character caught up in the strange happenings, the narrative threads converge on a young boy named Alex whose aunt is revealed to be a witch with a sinister plan.
Weapons features a star-studded cast that balances humor and horror perfectly, creating a chaotic energy that releases tension. The film’s climax is wild and unhinged, culminating in a shocking finale where the children take matters into their own hands, subjecting the witch to a twisted form of justice.
What sets Weapons apart from other horror films is its restraint in storytelling, avoiding neat explanations for the supernatural events. This eerie feeling fills the void left by the absence of clarity, making the film’s conclusion all the more satisfying. Despite some criticism over introduced ideas without substantial messaging, Cregger ties together the many moving parts to create a thrilling and unpredictable ride.
With Weapons, Cregger has cemented his status as a rising horror star, and fans are eagerly anticipating his upcoming Resident Evil reboot. If he delivers on his promise of “fresh, edgy, and weird,” it’s likely to be exactly what fans expect from the filmmaker.
Source: https://www.theringer.com/2025/08/14/movies/weapons-ending-defies-explanation-zach-cregger