WEAPONS distinguishes itself through its unconventional narrative design. Director Zack Kreger employs an experimental structure that skillfully manipulates chronology.
WEAPONS is told in chapters, each from a different character’s perspective. The story begins with a child going missing, then moves to other key characters: teacher Gemma, whose life after the event is shown, followed by the father Archer, a police officer, a drug addict, and the couple whose child was the only one not to disappear. These viewpoints slowly come together.
This storytelling method follows the tradition of films that use multiple timelines and perspectives, like Akira Kurosawa’s “Rashomon” and Christopher Nolan’s “Dunkirk.”
What makes WEAPONS different is that each chapter leads its character to the same house, but by different paths. The teacher, father, police officer, and drug addict all end up at this location through their own stories. As each viewpoint is revealed, the audience is drawn closer to the house’s main secret.
The storylines come together like roads meeting at a single point, converging on a single truth. This clear structure makes the story more powerful. Kreger’s talent shows in how he ends each chapter with a twist, keeping viewers curious. The story then moves to a new place and time, building the mystery and maintaining the tension.
A character who seems minor in one chapter might become the main focus in the next, revealing their motives and secrets. At first, the events seem unrelated, but the film gradually reveals their connection. This approach adds depth and complexity to the story.
The film is especially strong when it shows the same scene from different viewpoints. What looks suspicious from one angle can seem very different from another. This method feels like putting together a puzzle, with each new perspective adding a piece rather than just another twist.
The Unnerving Atmosphere Since Jordan Peele
Watching the film WEAPONS, the first thing that came to mind was Jordan Peele’s Us. The pervasive sense of unease, the unexplained presence of mystery, and the sharp social commentary—these elements are deeply reflected in WEAPONS as well.
Scenes of children leaving their homes at night together create a chilling sense of danger. Their strange way of running, with arms stretched back like the ‘Naruto run,’ becomes truly frightening.
Naruto Running
The running style featured in the ninja action series NARUTO, commonly known as “Naruto Running,” is extremely famous.
Characteristics of Naruto Running
Naruto Running is a unique running style demonstrated by many ninjas, including the main character, Uzumaki Naruto, during fights or when moving quickly.
- Extreme Forward Lean: The runner bends their upper body far forward, almost parallel to the ground.
- Arms Fixed Backward: Instead of swinging their arms forward, the runner keeps their arms straight and stretched out behind them.
In the story, this running style is shown as a ninja technique meant to reduce wind resistance and help the runner go faster. Its unusual look, so different from normal running, makes it memorable for viewers.
According to the director himself, this running style was inspired by the famous Vietnam War photograph “Napalm Girl.” It carries the metaphor that children are being treated like victims of war.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/WEAPONS-071525-2-c6f1b70afc6a4cde848829e500d782b1.jpg)
The film’s constant, unsettling tension is similar to Ari Aster’s movies, especially Hereditary and Midsommar. While it’s not overly graphic, there are scenes meant to make viewers uncomfortable, like characters vomiting black bile or objects moving closer in a creepy way. Kreger uses techniques from recent horror films like IT and It Follows, but makes them his own.
This work carries a profound tribute to director Kleger’s friend Trevor Moore (a member of the comedy troupe The Whitest Kids U’ Know), who passed away suddenly in 2021. A detailed interview in Rolling Stone reveals that Kleger wrote the script while processing his grief, projecting himself onto each character, and that director Ari Aster advised him, “It’s the personal parts that make the work function.”
Furthermore, the number “2:17,” which appears repeatedly throughout the work, can be interpreted in multiple ways. Moore died around 2:30 a.m. on August 7th, and combining 7 and 21 gives 217. Furthermore, room number 217 (237 in the film version) appears in The Shining, and this work pays homage to it throughout. Reading deeper, it could also be seen as referencing the 2017 Parkland school shooting (February, 17 victims) or the 2022 gun control bill that was narrowly defeated by a 217 to 213 vote.
So, WEAPONS is more than just a scary movie. It explores deeper themes like loss, grief, and the darker sides of society. At its core, it’s a powerful human story told through the lens of horror.
A Psychological Drama Featuring Powerhouse Cast
The cast’s strong performances are a big part of what makes WEAPONS work.
Julia Garnier plays Justin, a teacher who, as a survivor, is constantly held accountable by the townspeople. Her performance, which expresses her drowning in alcohol, her vacant expression, and the occasional flashes of passion, embodies the survivor’s guilt in many ways and is truly moving.
Josh Brolin plays Archer, a father who lost his son, and sublimates the pain of loss into a passionate, relentless investigation. He plays Archer, a father who lost his son Matthew. The way he sublimates the pain of loss into a passion for investigation that resembles obsession speaks to the depth of a father’s love. Interestingly, Pedro Pascal was originally slated for this role. Yet watching the finished film, one feels no one but Brolin could have played it. His blend of gravitas and sensitivity perfectly embodies the character. Brolin himself served as an executive producer on the film, conveying his deep trust in director Kleger and strong commitment to the project.
Alden Ehrenreich gives a strong performance as Justin’s ex-boyfriend, a police officer on the case. Austin Abrams is very convincing as a homeless drug addict. Amy Madigan takes on her biggest role since ‘Field of Dreams’ as the witch Gladys, and director Kleger said, “No one else could have played Gladys.” Benedict Wong plays the principal, whose life is turned upside down, and Carey Christopher is Alex, the only child who didn’t disappear—a role shaped by the director’s own experiences.
Blurring the Lines Between Horror and Thriller
Although WEAPONS is promoted as a horror film, it also has a strong suspense-thriller side. Director Zack Kreger mixes genres on purpose, giving the film a unique kind of tension.
The film’s terror stems from a sense of unease—that “something is off.” The way doors open, the positioning of characters, something reflected in the background—this technique of stirring unease through unnatural details in such minutiae echoes the work of Ari Aster, as seen in films like ‘Hereditary’ and ‘Midsommar’. It also shares the structure of Jordan Peele’s ‘Us’, which interweaves an unsettling atmosphere with social commentary.
Homage to The Shining
Many of the director’s choices are inspired by Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining. There’s a scene with a head breaking through a door, slow shots down long hallways, and the use of “Room 217.” In the original novel, Room 217 is where the horror happens (it’s Room 237 in the movie), and here, 217 appears again and again. The old witch character also reminds viewers of the old woman from The Shining, giving a new take on Kubrick’s creepy style.
The Experiment of Multiple Perspectives
By using multiple perspectives, like in Akira Kurosawa’s ‘Rashomon’ or ‘Strange Darling’, the film shows how truth can have many sides. Showing the same event from different angles, all leading to one house, follows the tradition of great mystery films like ‘Prisoners’ and ‘Zodiac’. But with its supernatural touches, WEAPONS creates something new.
The film’s visuals use muted colors to create a nightmare-like mood, helped by careful sound design. Sometimes, a tragedy in one room is totally silent in the next, making things even more unsettling. Director Kreger’s attention to detail shows in how he labels “dream” scenes early and uses jump scares sparingly but effectively.
A Story Born of Loss: Parasites, Symbolism, and Production Background
The Parasite Motif
The idea of “parasites” comes up often in WEAPONS. Words on a classroom whiteboard, talk about tapeworms, and the presence of ants all point to the witch, Gladys.
Gladys is a literal “parasite.” She attaches herself to her host family, taking their energy to stay young. She even calls herself “Ant,” which is a play on words.
What’s interesting is how Gladys’s true nature is revealed bit by bit. She first seems like just another relative, but her strange qualities slowly come out. She never says her exact age, but since she uses the word “consumption” (an old term for tuberculosis), she might have been around since the 1600s.
Symbolic Motifs: “Triangle,” “Black Branch,” “WEAPONS”
The film uses several symbols. The “triangle” shows up often and might stand for the “Triple Goddess” in Wicca. It also looks like the “weapon switch” button on PlayStation controllers, tying back to the title ‘WEAPONS’. When the triangle appears with the number ‘6’, it could hint at “666,” the number of the beast.
The “black branch” Gladys cherishes is significant as well. This could be blackthorn, used in magic. Blackthorn is a magical tree said to cause pain and suffering when its branches are broken, and it is long associated with witches.
The idea of “weaponization” is found throughout the film. Alcohol is used to numb pain but can also hurt others. Drug addicts’ syringes bring pleasure but can also be deadly. The witch even “weaponizes” people—she takes away the children’s free will and uses them as her tools.
Addiction is another key theme. Drug addicts, alcoholics, and Alex’s parents, all controlled by Gladys, are shown as dependent and easily manipulated. This dependence might be the first step in turning people into weapons.
So, WEAPONS isn’t just a horror movie. It’s a film with many layers, exploring loss, grief, and social issues.
Summary: A New Era Horror Mystery Masterpiece Woven from the Pain of Loss
Looking more closely, WEAPONS tells a universal story of loss. Director Zach Kreger turned the pain of losing a friend into a complex horror mystery.
The appeal of this film lies in its innovative structure. The Rashomon-style multi-perspective narrative draws the audience into the story’s labyrinth and leads them to the truth. The thrill of seeing seemingly disjointed events come together as one big picture is something you can’t experience in other works.
The powerful acting from Julia Garner and Josh Brolin, the carefully crafted visuals and sound, and the film’s social themes—similar to Jordan Peele’s work—all combine to make this a standout horror mystery for 2025.
Honestly, people might disagree about the ending. Still, the journey there is so well done that it’s sure to be remembered in film history. The movie is complex and may take more than one viewing to fully understand, but it’s so captivating you’ll want to watch it again.
The creators’ passion and their approach to loss really come through. The pain of losing someone, the regret of not being able to protect them, and the courage to keep going—all these feelings are shown through horror.
I can confidently recommend this masterpiece not just to horror fans, but also to mystery lovers and anyone who enjoys well-crafted stories.
