Weapons

Honestly, I don't know if I watched the same film everyone else is raving about, but I'm pretty sure my brain was left waiting in the lobby the entire time. The movie is long. Too long, too slow, too... boring. And yet, somehow, it still manages to feel overstuffed. Imagine a film that wants to be edgy, intense, and dramatic, but instead just flatlines.

The multiple points of view were supposed to add depth or suspense, I guess, but instead they just fragmented the story and made it even harder to care about any of the characters. It felt like a patchwork of perspectives that didn't really go anywhere, leaving me more bored than invested.

I waited the whole movie for something to happen... and nothing happened.

Sure, it's original, I guess, but by the end, I wasn't scared, I wasn't impressed - I was just relieved it was over.

Weapons is a tense and gripping new horror from Zach Cregger that lives up to much of its immense hype. The story follows a community reeling after all but one child from the same class vanish on the same night at exactly the same time, and from there it unfolds with a sharp mix of mystery, dread, and dark humor. The acting across the board is phenomenal, the suspense is crafted with precision, and the world building for the small town setting feels rich and lived in. Practical effects shine, the score adds weight to the tension, and there are even moments of levity that break up the intensity without ever killing the mood.

What makes Weapons stand out is how confidently it holds your attention. From start to finish, it's a film that refuses to let go, pulling you deeper into its unsettling premise. It's refreshing to see such commitment to originality in mainstream horror, and the movie feels like a love letter to the genre's willingness to take risks. While the final reveal of what truly happened may divide viewers, and for me personally, it didn't entirely stick the landing but the journey there is so compelling that it's hard not to walk away impressed.

Not groundbreaking in any way, but it does strike a nice balance. Never taking itself too seriously while still keeping the stakes high enough to keep you invested in what happens next. That said, it feels underdeveloped in both story and characters, there's something missing that would make you truly care about what happens to them.

The choice to revisit the past days of each character comes across less like a meaningful narrative device and more like a patch for an undercooked plot. It doesn't add much and only delays the story's momentum.

While the premise is fun and initially intriguing, it ultimately lacks the complexity and character depth needed to leave a lasting impact.

This was the most excited I've been about a movie in a very long time. Rotten Tomatoes and IMDB reviews were looking great. Maybe my expectations were too high but I really thought this movie was not that good. Extremely disappointed. The plot of the movie was kind of lame. It really wasn't that scary or suspenseful. It just didn't deliver like most moves rated high 7's or low 8's. Not sure why it's still rated high 7's.

1) I love horror movies.

2) I avoided all trailers, marketing and reviews, so I am not a victim of overhyping.

3) I felt like this would be another example of a movie that will be unanimously praised and lauded as the best/scariest horror movie of the year. That seems to be the case.

4) Six stars is a positive score, but this review will be mostly negative as I try to explain why I didn't like this more.

5) The mystery is built masterfully. But once we find out who or what is behind the horror, all I could think is, "That's it?" I hoped there was more to the story or somewhere interesting the plot could go from there. But there really isn't.

6) They keep telling us more about the flawed characters, and have them involved in drama, which I enjoyed as it happened. But it doesn't come into play even a tiny bit, not with the story or any character arcs.

7) There are some really good horror elements and jaw-dropping moments. But I ask myself if I would watch this again, and the answer is... probably not.

8) It's a good movie, but I can't help but feel underwhelmed.

(1 viewing, opening Thursday EMX 8/7/2025)