One intriguing aspect of Zack Cregger’s Weapons is its eerie similarity to 2024’s Longlegs, both being films that expose the terrifying events taking place in what appear to be serene settings. In popular culture, American suburbs are often portrayed as secure sanctuaries, a respite from urban life’s harshness. However, Weapons serves as a stark reminder that even these seemingly safe environments can harbor disappearances of children. What was once thought to be peaceful afternoons filled with hot dogs and leisurely TV viewing can suddenly erupt into gruesome chaos. And in times of crisis, the friendliness of neighbors can give way to betrayal and hostility.
The movie presents a disturbing portrayal, subtly highlighting the hidden fears that reside within familiar environments frequented by many viewers. Cregger’s remarkable visual style contributes to several chilling scenes that are particularly unsettling due to their enigmatic nature. For example, the dream sequence image of a floating gun in “Weapons” – its meaning remains unclear, yet its mysteriousness adds to the overall eeriness. This ambiguity is what makes it scary.
Spoilers for Weapons are below
What Is That Floating Gun In Weapons?
Archer Graff, played by Josh Brolin, is deeply entrenched in the sorrow of losing his son, Matthew. One of the seventeen students from Justin Gandy’s class mysteriously disappeared at 2:17 AM. Graff oscillates between unrestrained anger (mainly towards Gandy) and constant grief as he adjusts to his life’s altered normal.
In the “Weapons” section depicting his life, viewers witness him embarking on a dream journey at night, tracing Matthew’s footsteps. As he roams through the darkness, he gazes up at the sky and encounters a colossal firearm suspended among the clouds. Etched onto the side of this gun is the time 2:17 AM, as one would see it on an electronic clock.
The vivid, dreamlike display of surrealist imagery in this work has sparked numerous interpretations regarding its deeper meaning. A popular fan interpretation suggests that it serves as an allegory for school shootings, particularly in the context of the graphic novel “Weapons,” especially its initial third. Given the prevalence of such tragedies in America, the colossal gun could be perceived as symbolizing the looming specter of school violence that haunts parents across the country. This ever-present threat of devastating violence hangs over everyone like a dark cloud, ready to unleash a torrent of misery and terror upon them.
17 AM is associated with this gun implies that these negative aspects of Archer’s character are as persistent as the passing of time itself. Just like the daily rising sun, Archer tends to respond to problems with aggression and violence (represented by the hovering gun). However, when he starts working with Justine and stops relying on violence to solve his issues, a glimmer of hope begins appearing in his life again.
Other theories among fans suggest that this gun symbolizes Archer’s growing understanding that the 17 missing children have been turned into weapons by some hidden power. The vague quality of this image implies that this father is yet to uncover all the secrets surrounding the enigmatic mystery. Yet, encountering this vision gives him a glimpse into the broader picture, motivating him to push his investigation to unprecedented lengths.
Even Weapons‘ Director Can’t Explain the Gun (And That Makes It Scarier)
The intriguing aspect of the floating gun image from Weapons, as stated by the director, is that its interpretation isn’t definitive – there isn’t one single meaning to what it signifies.
Unlike many contemporary horror films that overload their frightening moments with excessive explanation, Zach Cregger openly admits there’s no clear interpretation for this dream sequence: He has some ideas about its broader meaning, but he’s simply thankful it’s part of the creative landscape of Weapons.
In an interview with Variety, Cregger expressed that a particular scene in the movie holds significant importance for him, and he admitted his genuine feeling is that he doesn’t fully comprehend it. He has several theories about its purpose, but he doesn’t claim to have the definitive answer. What intrigues him is that each viewer might interpret or relate to the scene differently – some may find it dull, others could see it as a political statement, and still, others might appreciate it as simply cool. Ultimately, he finds joy in its existence, regardless of how it’s perceived, because it’s not his role to decide its meaning; it exists independently.
It seems that Cregger values personal interpretations of his scenes, mirroring the enigmatic style of David Lynch who often leaves his works open-ended, avoiding to provide clear explanations for masterpieces like Lost Highway and Mulholland Drive.
By intentionally leaving interpretations open to the audience’s imagination, viewers are compelled to confront their personal understandings of the events portrayed on screen. This can be a challenging prospect for both audiences and filmmakers, yet it is another demonstration of the unwavering creative boldness exhibited by Weapons. There may be numerous potential meanings associated with Archer’s colossal floating gun; regardless of how it is perceived, its significance remains profound. The ambiguity surrounding its purpose merely intensifies the unsettling and surreal quality of Archer’s dream sequence.
Weapons is now playing in theaters everywhere.
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2025-08-12 00:26