Creepy, Clever & Unforgettable: Why Zach Cregger’s Weapons Might Just Be the Best Film of 2025

Its premise lies in a chilling mystery: one night at exactly 2:17 am, seventeen children from the same classroom simply walk out of their homes and vanish into the dark. No kidnappers. No chase. Just eerie silence and a whole lot of questions. What follows is a slow-burning, multi-perspective story that pulls you deeper into the chaos of a town unraveling.

A puzzle told in pieces

Instead of following one hero, Weapons jumps between different characters, each with their own baggage, secrets, and suspicions. You’ve got Julia Garner as the emotionally frayed teacher caught in the eye of the storm, Josh Brolin as a grieving father, Alden Ehrenreich as a cop trying (and failing) to keep it together, and Austin Abrams as a junkie who somehow ends up being one of the most compelling characters in the mix.

It’s like watching a mystery unfold from every angle, and you’re constantly guessing who’s telling the truth.

What makes it even more intriguing is how each character’s segment rewinds the timeline slightly, so you’re not just seeing what happens next, you’re seeing what happened before from a different perspective.

It’s a clever narrative trick that keeps you on your toes, constantly re-evaluating what you thought you knew. The result is a layered, slow-burning story that rewards you for paying attention. Little clues, highlighted objects, and eerie moments all come together like a jigsaw puzzle.

Performances that stick with you

There are no weak links here. Garner is raw and intense, Brolin brings the rage, and even the child actors (especially Cary Christopher) deliver performances that are unettling in the best way.

But if we had to single someone out, it would be Amy Madigan as Gladys Lilly. Her performance is absolutely wild in the best way. She plays the mysterious aunt of Alex (the only child who didn’t disappear), and slowly reveals herself to be the twisted heart of the film’s horror. Madigan brings a theatrical, almost campy energy to the role, but balances it with moments of eerie calm and disturbing vulnerability.

One minute she’s cracking jokes in garish makeup and wigs, the next she’s doing some horrifying stuff. It’s horrifying, surreal, and somehow still layered. She manages to make Gladys both a terrifying villain and a strangely sympathetic figure.

Cinematography that creeps up on you

One of the biggest stars of Weapons isn’t even a person, it’s the camera. The cinematography in this film is snappy, fluid, and absolutely gripping. Whether a character is walking to the store or answering a knock at the door, the way the camera moves makes even the most mundane moments feel loaded with tension.

Instead of relying on cheap jumpscares, the film lets the horror creep in slowly. The camera often lingers just long enough to make you uncomfortable, pointing straight at the threat as it approaches.

There’s also a surprising amount of humour tucked into the visuals. Some scenes are shot in a way that makes awkward or absurd moments land perfectly, giving you a quick laugh before plunging you back into the unease.

Every frame feels intentional. The lighting, the angles, the pacing it all adds to the hypnotic vibe of the film. You’re not just watching the story unfold; you’re being pulled into it, one eerie shot at a time.

Our verdict

Weapons is one of those rare horror films that doesn’t just aim to scare, it wants to make you think, feel, and question everything. From its eerie premise to its layered storytelling and hypnotic cinematography, it’s a film that pulls you in and doesn’t let go. The performances are top-tier across the board, with Amy Madigan’s Gladys stealing scenes in the most unsettling way possible.

But as much as we loved the ride, it’s not without its bumps. Although it starts off a little slow, the final act shifts gears dramatically, it’s fast, intense, and packed with revelations. That sudden change in pace might feel jarring to some, especially after the film spends so much time carefully building tension.

Still, those are minor hiccups in an otherwise gripping experience. Weapons is a genre-bending thriller that rewards your attention, challenges your perspective, and leaves you haunted in the best way. If you’re into films that are creepy, clever, and just a little chaotic, this one’s definitely worth the watch.