Weapons (2025)

Release Date: August 7, 2025
Director: Zach Cregger
Starring: Josh Brolin, Julia Garner, Alden Ehrenreich, Amy Madigan, Cary Christopher, Austin Abrams
Runtime: 1h 58m
Genre: Psychological Thriller / Mystery

I’d been seeing the trailers for months, and this one had me intrigued from the jump. Now that I’ve seen it? Safe to say it’s one of my favourites of the year so far — maybe even the favourite.

Weapons had me hooked instantly. The structure alone is bold — instead of spoon-feeding you a straight narrative, Cregger jumps between different characters’ perspectives, rewinding and replaying events so you slowly build the full picture. It’s not just clever; it’s addictive.

The film gives you just enough each time to pull you deeper into its web of uncertainty. The pacing is deliberate, letting the tension coil tighter with every rewind. There’s a real Get Out energy in the way the unease builds — subtle, under your skin, but always present. If you missed it, Jordan Peele’s Get Out is a perfect reference point for this style of tension.

Plot Recap: One Town, Many Stories

The premise is deceptively simple: seventeen kids vanish in a small town. But instead of following one hero’s search, Weapons drops you into the aftermath through seven different perspectives — each with their own version of the truth.

First, a teenager who stumbles across a clue that could change everything. Then, a detective with baggage, haunted by past cases. Then, a mother quietly unravelling while trying to keep up appearances. Each rewind shows the same events through a new lens, exposing motives, lies, and fears the others never saw.

Cregger and cinematographer Drew Daniels make this structure sing. Over-the-shoulder tracking shots pull you straight into a character’s headspace. Low, creeping angles make you feel like someone’s watching. Those lingering, off-centre close-ups? They make even silence feel dangerous. It’s the kind of visual storytelling that’s rare in studio thrillers — confident, patient, and purposeful.

Cast & Characters: Everyone Brings Something to the Table

Josh Brolin delivers that steady, lived-in gravitas he’s built a career on — the kind that makes you trust him, even when you’re questioning his every move. Julia Garner is magnetic, switching between vulnerability and quiet steel in a way that keeps you glued to her scenes.

Amy Madigan? Pure nightmare fuel. As a figure steeped in creepy small-town folklore, she’s unsettling without ever going over the top. Just her stillness is enough to raise the hairs on your neck — I’ll be having nightmares about her for weeks.

Cary Christopher, as Alex, brings surprising heart to a smaller role, proving that even a few scenes can land hard. Alden Ehrenreich and Austin Abrams round out the ensemble with performances that make the town feel lived-in and layered, giving weight to even throwaway interactions.

Public Feedback: Strong Word of Mouth

Early audience reactions are overwhelmingly positive. Critics are calling it a masterclass in multi-perspective storytelling, while some viewers are comparing it to Prisoners for its tone and tension. The only split? The pacing. A few feel the opening stretch moves too slowly, but for most (myself included), it’s exactly what lets the suspense sink its claws in.

Another point getting praise — and rightly so — is the restraint. There’s barely a jump scare in sight. Instead, the fear comes from what’s unsaid, what’s just out of frame. In a genre that’s often all noise and quick cuts, Weapons trusts its audience enough to keep the volume low and the tension high.

Controversy: The Ending Debate

Here’s my one nitpick — and why I gave it a 9 instead of a perfect 10. While the ending is satisfying, I kept wishing for one last, spine-chilling sting. Imagine this: just when you think everything’s tied up, the camera catches another child wandering into the woods, arms outstretched. One silent shot. No explanation. Cut to black.

It would’ve been the perfect “maybe it’s not over” beat, a parting shot that sticks in your head for days and leaves the door cracked for a sequel. That said, I respect that Cregger didn’t tack on a lazy cliffhanger. Not every great film needs a Part 2 — and in a Hollywood climate obsessed with sequels, restraint can be just as bold. For context, see why some of 2025’s biggest sequels have divided audiences and how original endings still matter.

Final Verdict: Zach Cregger Is Now on My Radar

Between the layered performances, razor-sharp structure, and some of the most effective visual storytelling I’ve seen this year, Weapons is an easy recommendation. Cregger’s confidence behind the camera shows in every frame, and his willingness to play with structure puts him firmly on my must-watch list going forward.

Final Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ (9/10)

📎 Want more?
👉 Sinners (2025) – Review: Why This Horror Mystery Stays With You
👉 Weapons (2025) Is the Horror Thriller With a Perfect Rotten Tomatoes Score — Here’s Why It’s Already a Must-See
👉 Collider’s interview with Zach Cregger on the making of Weapons

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