Weapons

If you're into horror movies that mess with your head and keep you guessing, Weapons might just be your next favorite watch. Directed, written, and co-scored by Zach Cregger (yep, the guy behind Barbarian), this 2025 mystery horror flick dives deep into a chilling small-town nightmare. The setup? At exactly 2:17 a.m., seventeen kids from the same class vanish without a trace—except for one. What follows is a tense, eerie unraveling of secrets, suspicions, and supernatural forces.

Set in the quiet town of Maybrook, Pennsylvania, the story centers on Justine Gandy (played by Julia Garner), a teacher who finds herself at the heart of the mystery when her entire class disappears overnight. The only student left behind is Alex Lilly (Cary Christopher), whose home life is anything but normal. As the town spirals into panic and paranoia, Justine and Archer Graff (Josh Brolin), a grieving father, begin their own investigation, uncovering disturbing truths that go way beyond missing persons.

The cast is stacked with talent—Alden Ehrenreich plays a troubled cop with ties to Justine, Benedict Wong is the school principal caught in the crossfire, and Amy Madigan delivers a creepy turn as Alex’s so-called aunt. The film blends psychological horror with supernatural elements, and it’s not afraid to get dark—really dark. Think twisted bedtime story meets modern-day paranoia.

Weapons has been a hit with critics and audiences alike. It scored a whopping 95% on Rotten Tomatoes and an 81 on Metacritic, with reviewers praising its smart storytelling, eerie atmosphere, and strong performances. It’s been called a “sophomore triumph” for Cregger, and many are already comparing it favorably to his breakout hit Barbarian.

This one’s definitely for fans of slow-burn horror, layered mysteries, and stories that don’t spoon-feed you every answer. If you like your scares with a side of social commentary and a dash of dark humor, you’ll be hooked. On the flip side, if you’re not into creepy kids, unsettling dream sequences, or ambiguous storytelling, this might not be your jam.

At just over two hours, Weapons takes its time building tension, but the payoff is worth it—especially in the final act, which critics have called “graphically violent” and “superbly orchestrated.” So grab your popcorn (and maybe a nightlight), because this one’s going to stick with you.