Early reactions to Zach Cregger’s upcoming horror film Weapons is seemingly pointing to another unnerving success for the Barbarian director, as critics are already calling the movie "film of the year" and "a horror masterpiece" before its worldwide release next month. Cregger's previous 2022 horror film, "Barbarian," achieved both critical acclaim and commercial success, grossing $45.4 million worldwide against a $4.5 million budget, making it a box office hit, and from the sounds that critics are making, Weapons could be in line to triumph too.
Starring Oscar nominee Josh Brolin (The Goonies, Dune 2), Julia Garner (Ozark, Inventing Anna), Alden Ehrenreich, Austin Abrams, Cary Christopher, Benedict Wong, Oscar nominee Amy Madigan (Twice in a Lifetime), June Diane Raphael, Whitmer Thomas, Toby Huss, and Luke Speakman, Weapons tells the story of 17 kids from the same class who vanish overnight, igniting fear in the community who are left wondering who or what is behind their disappearance. The tagline from the film is already giving chills, as it reads: "Last night at 2:17 am every child from Mrs. Gandy's class woke up, got out of bed, went downstairs, opened the front door, walked into the dark...and they never came back."
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First Impressions of Zack Cregger’s Weapons Is Already Getting High Praise
Ahead of Zack Cregger's Weapons cinematic release in only a few weeks, critics have taken to social media to let horror fans know their first impressions of the upcoming movie, and it's fair to say that their reactions couldn't be better. One critic has called Weapons "a horror masterpiece and the best film of the year," praising its overall suspense and POV storytelling that "exposes a society with dwindling empathy that tolerates dehumanizing acts." Another critic said that Weapons was "downright terrifying and cements Zach Cregger as a strong voice in modern horror and a master of mystery," revealing that the film gave them "chills" like none they have experienced before.
Another entertainment critic said that Weapons is "less shocking than Barbarian, but much better," and even though the movie started quite slow, the rest of it paid off in "huge, awesome, gory, disturbing ways." @PNemiroff writes, "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." However, among the high praise, the Editor-In-Chief of Next Best Picture said, "the final act brought it down a few notches, and I’m sure I won’t be alone in that feeling", although they also echoed other critics by stating that Weapons was "definitely more ambitious than “Barbarian” in pretty much every way."
So it seems as though the first reactions for Weapons are an extremely positive start for the upcoming movie. Here's hoping that when the film releases to a larger crowd, the consensus will still remain the same. If these early impressions are anything to go by and Weapons can maintain its current thrilling status, the film won't just be one of the best horror movies of 2025, but it could be one of the best films in years.
Weapons releases in theaters on August 8.
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