Weapons - 9.5./10

Jadd J.A.D.D. Jadd

Whoa, just whoa. I knew this movie was coming, but I haven't seen the trailers or the poster. And into it, being blind was the best way to experience seeing how everything unfolds. Zach Cregger has made two horror classics; the first was Barbarian, and now, with Weapons, here's why. He takes a simple story and weaves it out in new, creative, and intuitive ways that go into the bizarre, but ties in tightly and smartly. He also wrote the screenplay, and it's told from different perspectives, and it's gripping and intriguing. It's not original, but the way Zach Cregger directs and writes this movie feels original, mostly fresh.

Julia Garner is one of the most promising up-and-coming actresses. She has so many layers to her acting range and power. Josh Brolin is one of the best character actors. He's utterly believable as a father who wants answers and will do anything for them. The supporting cast, which includes Benedict Wong, Amy Madigan, Alden Ehrenreich, Austin Abrams and Cary Christopher Alex, who gives an impactful and outstanding performance, and an introduction to his career. All of them gave fantastic performances and are integral to this movie. It does have jump scares and blood and gore, but it feels earned and organic.

On a technical level, everything is gritty, grounded, and shot like a stylised independent movie. The score is absolutely chilling, haunting and experimental.

I'm being vague to avoid spoilers. It was an absolute pleasure and a wild ride. When everything unfolds, it will leave you on the edge of your seat and engaged. However, there are plot holes that affect the story's continuity. You can feel the movie's runtime in the middle because two characters are vital. But the pacing does come to a halt for a bit. Those are really my only complaints.