Coming off a movie as insane and surprising as Barbarian, writer-director Zach Cregger certainly knew his next movie would carry massive expectations. That movie, called Weapons, is now almost here. And, based on the first reactions, he may have just blown those expectations away.
Cregger wrote and directed the film, which stars Julia Garner (Ozark, Fantastic Four: First Steps) as a teacher who walks into school one day to find almost her entire class has gone missing. No one else has gone missing. Just 17 students from her class only. And, in fact, they all simultaneously, at 2:17 a.m., got up out of bed, ran out their front doors, and never returned. That’s the mystery at the center of Weapons, which unfolds in an almost Robert Altman’s Nashville, Paul Thomas Anderson’s Magnolia version of a horror film with multiple characters—Garner’s, but also a father played by Josh Brolin, a cop played by Alden Ehrenreich, and others—all reacting to this horrific mystery.
It’s a very cool, intriguing premise that audiences will find out about on August 8. But, ahead of release, the film recently screened for press, and here are just some of the incredibly positive reactions, starting with yours truly.
#WeaponsMovie is beyond messed up & I loved every second of it. It's Magnolia the horror movie, as multiple characters circle a big, creepy mystery. Bit of a slow burn, but it pays off in huge, awesome, gory, disturbing ways. Less shocking than Barbarian, but much better. pic.twitter.com/lvnhOF4oNO — Germain Lussier (@GermainLussier) July 22, 2025
#WEAPONS rules. If you’re looking for a movie that keeps you on your toes from start to finish and delivers the unexpected time and time again, this is it. pic.twitter.com/oW2nsNX4CP — Perri Nemiroff (@PNemiroff) July 22, 2025
WEAPONS is an absolute blast: a creepy, funny ensemble piece that takes a MAGNOLIA/PULP FICTION/SHORT CUTS storytelling approach to unleash a memorable suburban nightmare. The grand finale had me cackling with twisted glee. #WeaponsMovie pic.twitter.com/n4LzSjxpMl — Chris Evangelista (@cevangelista413) July 22, 2025
Zach Cregger has crafted a horror masterpiece and the best film of the year with #Weapons! It's Prisoners by way of Magnolia with some of the Coen's absurdist humor. An absolutely BRILLIANT commentary on the attitudes and institutions during the fallout of a communal tragedy. The… pic.twitter.com/TtPksjvGFS — Griffin Schiller (@griffschiller) July 22, 2025
WEAPONS was one of my favorite films of 2025 for most of its runtime, until the final act brought it down a few notches, and I’m sure I won’t be alone in that feeling. Still, Zach Cregger once again proves he has a gift for crafting a haunting atmosphere, using jump scares… pic.twitter.com/4qgbtsR9bz — Matt Neglia (@NextBestPicture) July 22, 2025
WEAPONS is just as twisty as Zach Cregger's debut but allows the audience to piece together its mystery in a surprisingly funny and terrifying way. It's bonkers in the best of ways and shows how he continues to be a visionary in horror. pic.twitter.com/OZxcE0mAON — Rachel Leishman (@RachelLeishman) July 22, 2025
WEAPONS is downright terrifying and cements Zach Cregger as a strong voice in modern horror and a master of mystery. I can't recall the last time a movie gave me chills like this one did. Extremely well-structured and executed with a talented cast. Buckle the fuck up. #Weapons pic.twitter.com/9Rdh7Zuplj — Matthieu Côté (matte) (@m77oz) July 22, 2025
WEAPONS had me laughing until it didn’t. such a confident, harrowing tale about mystery and obsession and how scary it is to be a kid and/or have a kid? another clever twist you won’t expect, another great offering from cregger, another alden ehrenreich character i would smooch! pic.twitter.com/G61OflxGy7 — lyvie scott (@lyviescott) July 22, 2025
So, there you have it. Almost all the reactions are over-the-moon positive, with a few minor issues here and there. Which is to be expected. But, considering I myself am in those reactions, I feel confident enough to say that Weapons does live up to the Barbarian hype. These reactions aren’t lying. And, as we get closer to the film’s release on August 8, you’ll see more reactions, more reviews, and much more on the film itself.
Benedict Wong, Austin Abrams, June Diane Raphael, and Amy Madigan also star in Weapons, which comes to theaters August 8. Check back here on io9 for interviews with writer-director Zach Cregger as well as star Josh Brolin soon.