As a cinema enthusiast, I was thrilled to witness Zach Cregger’s latest psychological horror mystery masterpiece, titled “Weapons“, unravel at the box office this past weekend. This film not only showcases an array of unforgettable characters but also cements Cregger’s unique ability to weave horror with perfectly timed humor, a signature style that left me on the edge of my seat and bursting with laughter in equal measure.
Following his successful 2022 release, “Barbarian”, Cregger has undeniably carved out a niche for himself as a filmmaker who breathes fresh life into familiar horror tropes and seamlessly blends genres to keep viewers guessing and entertained. His latest offering, “Weapons”, is no exception, and I was particularly intrigued by the clever hint he subtly dropped at the film’s onset, setting us up for a thrilling ride as we uncover the mystery behind this horror flick.
Discovering that a seemingly harmless element in the movie was in fact a subtle hint laid out at the beginning by Cregger, enhances the audience’s admiration for his witty and entertaining approach to filmmaking.
Warning: Major spoilers below for Weapons
The narrative unfolds from various characters’ viewpoints, aiming to unravel the enigma surrounding 17 children who vanished mysteriously after they exited their homes at 2:17 a.m. One fateful night. The story commences with Justine (Julia Garner), a teacher under intense scrutiny due to the missing students hailing from her class, as the initial focus. A community meeting, convened approximately a month post-incident, reveals that many residents accuse or suspect Justine of complicity in the events. Among these aggrieved parents, Archer (Josh Brolin), tormented by his son Matthew’s disappearance, unleashes his anger and suspicions towards Justine by defacing her car with the word “WITCH” in red paint, an act that continues to be a recurring element throughout the movie.
Initially, viewers might consider the vandalism of Justine’s car as a trivial aspect of the story and a reflection of Archer’s character. However, as the narrative unfolds in Weapons, it becomes clear that the word “witch,” subtly written in large, bold letters, is a crucial clue pointing towards the identity of the person responsible for the missing children.
Weapons Villain Really Is A Witch All Along
As I step into this small town, my path crosses with Gladys (Amy Madigan), who’s moved in with her niece and nephew-in-law – the parents of Alex (Cary Christopher), a central character in our story. Stricken by what seems to be a severe illness, she’s taken refuge here.
In Justine’s classroom, there’s one student conspicuously absent – that’s Alex. The reason? He’s under the control of Aunt Gladys, a sinister figure who wields dark magic. This sorcery, it seems, is behind the town’s missing children.
It appears that Justine was falsely accused of being a witch, serving as a scapegoat for the town, but it’s actually dying Gladys who has instigated everything. To prolong her life, Gladys relies on draining the vitality of others, and she seems to find the most effective method in taking the life force from young children. She employs dark magic and branches from an ancient-looking tree to compel people to obey her commands; this can involve guarding her, attacking those who are getting too close to the truth, or leaving 17 children catatonic in a basement as she feeds off them. As Gladys continues her magical practices, her youthfulness returns: her hair grows back, her wrinkles fade, and her movements become smoother. Author Cregger weaves this classic tale of a witch using magic to preserve youth into a larger, more profound narrative.
In my observation, there’s a telling hint when I chat with Principal Marcus at the school about Alex’s parents not being able to meet him themselves – they supposedly have “a touch of consumption.” This old-fashioned term for tuberculosis makes me wonder if Gladys is hiding something about her age, as she seems to effortlessly gloss over this archaic phrase with her quirky public persona.
Upon finishing the novel “Weapons”, Cregger successfully unravels the central enigma concerning the vanished children, while simultaneously sparking intrigue among viewers about Gladys. The narrative provides sufficient details for comprehension, yet leaves a tantalizing gap regarding Madigan’s character that incites further exploration of her past. This piqued interest, combined with the film’s intriguing structure, encourages viewers to rewatch “Weapons” to delve deeper into Cregger’s captivating work and uncover any hidden details overlooked during the initial viewing.
Weapons is now playing in theaters.
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2025-08-11 17:44