"well acted, its Tarantino style introduction of chapters concentrating individually on the main characters adds to the suspense and tension of proceedings"

Weapons is the second feature film from Zach Cregger, the Writer, Director and Producer of the hit 2022 film Barbarian. In keeping with the genre, Weapons is also a horror film, packed full of mystery and suspense.

The central plot deals with the mystery surrounding the simultaneous disappearance of 17 school children from the same class in the early hours of the morning at 2.17am. The film opens with the children’s teacher being under suspicion and complicit in their disappearance from the residents of the town. With the exception of one child, the other children without explanation all leave their places of residence and disappear into the night. Each doing so individually and without coercion.

However the police do not believe that Justine Gandy (played by Julia Garner) is their primary suspect especially as there’s film footage from several video doorbells of the children mysteriously running away into the night completely solo, but the town have their pitchforks out, ready to point the finger.

The plot moves forward through the perspective of several characters whose paths intertwine; as each character’s story arc is individually explored with segments of the mystery slowly revealed. Each mini chapter gives you an insight into each character with their motivations evident.

The film begins well with it’s structure of mystery, tension and it’s implied horror narrative, however as the film progresses it looses ground by moving into a slightly more comical field. This takes away from a well constructed horror film for the first two thirds.

The film is well acted, its Tarantino style introduction of chapters concentrating individually on the main characters adds to the suspense and tension of proceedings. Both Josh Brolin as the father of one of the missing children and Julia Garner as the teacher wrapped up in this mess, give good performances. Also Austin Abrams gives a noteworthy performance as a homeless drug addict. As do all the main cast.

The cinematography, lighting and music combine well to create a creepy atomsphere. It’s littered with enough jump scares, but ultimately because it promises so much and then fails to maintain that to the end it earns itself 3 out 5 stars.

Generally most horror film watchers will enjoy it, however the true horror film connoisseur may be disappointed with the finale.