Zach Cregger has been making waves in the film industry with his original horror movies, and it’s clear that he’s on a mission to bring back the type of storytelling that audiences crave. His follow-up to the 2022 hit Barbarian, Weapons, has earned rave reviews ahead of its August 8 release, solidifying his spot as one of Hollywood’s most in-demand filmmakers.
Cregger’s journey to success began with The Whitest Kids U’ Know and a career as a journeyman comedy actor. However, after the tragic loss of his best friend, he turned to writing as an emotional outlet. His true story, set in a small town where 17 kids from the same elementary school classroom mysteriously disappear, was born out of that pain.
“We’re talking about stories that are chopped,” Cregger explains, referencing his favorite book A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan. “I wanted to make sure that every time we jumped perspective in this movie that we knew already who we were landing with, so it was never disorienting.” This unique storytelling approach has resonated with audiences and critics alike.
Cregger’s decision to focus on original projects is a deliberate choice. With the current state of horror filmmaking, he believes there’s room for creativity and risk-taking. “Horror is one of the few outlets for real creativity right now,” he notes. “I love horror, my creative tuning fork resonates strong with horror, so I’m lucky in that regard.”
With a string of original films on the horizon, Cregger is confident in his ability to bring fresh ideas to the big screen. His next project, a Resident Evil movie, marks an exception to this rule. “If I do my job, it will feel fresh and edgy and weird,” he says.
For now, fans can look forward to Weapons’ release on August 8, followed by his upcoming sci-fi project set in the DC Universe. With Cregger’s commitment to original storytelling, one thing is clear: this filmmaker is here to stay.
Source: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/weapons-director-zach-cregger-movie-1236340007