Weapons (2025) – A Surprising Mystery-Horror That Grips (Movie Watch Diary 21)
Hello, movie lovers! Welcome back to The Movie Hunter and my twenty-first Movie Watch Diary on Bookimov: Books & Movies! For this entry, I watched Weapons (2025), directed by Zach Cregger, and as someone who usually avoids horror, I was blown away by its gripping mystery and unique storytelling. This film, blending dark comedy, horror, and suspense, exceeded my low expectations and earned an 8/10. Let’s dive into why it’s a must-see, and as always, I need your movie picks for my next diary!
Weapons (2025) - A Surprising Hit for a Horror Skeptic
I’m not a horror fan, so I started Weapons with zero expectations. But from the opening scene, it hooked me with its eerie premise and kept me engaged with a fresh narrative style. The mix of mystery, subtle horror, and dark humor, combined with a non-linear structure that shifts between characters’ perspectives, made it stand out. If a horror-averse viewer like me loved it, that’s a testament to its broad appeal.
The Plot: A Chilling Puzzle
Weapons opens with a chilling mystery: seventeen children from the same classroom vanish at exactly 2:17 a.m., leaving one child, Alex (Cary Christopher), behind. The story unfolds in a small town reeling from this loss, told through multiple perspectives—Justine Gandy (Julia Garner), the grief-stricken teacher blamed by the community; Archer Graff (Josh Brolin), a desperate father; and Paul Morgan (Alden Ehrenreich), a troubled cop. As their narratives intertwine, the film reveals dark secrets, including the menacing role of Alex’s great-aunt Gladys (Amy Madigan), who’s tied to unsettling rituals. I won’t spoil the twists, but the way the story unfolds, with surprises that tie the threads together, kept me on edge. The Rashomon-style storytelling, jumping between characters, feels fragmented at first but builds to a shocking, satisfying payoff.
A Unique Narrative Style
What sets Weapons apart is its non-linear approach, focusing on different characters’ viewpoints to piece together the mystery. Initially, these shifts felt disjointed, and I worried the main story was slipping away. But the film cleverly uses each perspective to reveal new layers, making the overlaps a strength rather than a flaw. The dark comedy—like a bizarrely funny climax scene—blends seamlessly with horror elements, though the scares are more unsettling than terrifying, which suited me perfectly.
Standout Performances and Visuals
The ensemble cast is phenomenal. Julia Garner’s raw portrayal of Justine, a teacher scapegoated by her town, is heartbreaking, while Josh Brolin’s grieving father radiates intensity. Amy Madigan steals scenes as the chilling yet frail Gladys, a standout villain. The cinematography by Larkin Seiple, paired with a tense score by Ryan and Hays Holladay (and Cregger himself), crafts a rich, lived-in small-town atmosphere that amplifies the dread.
Ratings and Reception
Weapons has earned strong praise, with a 7.9/10 on IMDb (from 1,281 reviews) and an impressive 95% on Rotten Tomatoes (from 210 critics, audience score 85%). Critics call it a “sophomore triumph” for Cregger, praising its “expertly crafted yarn of terrifying mystery and thrilling intrigue.” Some viewers, like me, note occasional pacing issues during character overlaps, but the consensus is that it’s a bold, rewatchable gem.
A Minor Critique
My only gripe is that the overlapping perspectives can feel briefly tedious, slowing the momentum before the story snaps back with a twist. These moments don’t last long, but they’re the only times I felt bored. Still, the surprises and payoffs make it worth pushing through.
See also: The Naked Gun – A Hilarious Reboot Packed with Satire (Movie Watch Diary 20)
A Rewatchable Triumph
Weapons (2025) is a captivating mystery-horror that won me over despite my dislike for the genre. Its unique storytelling, stellar cast, and blend of dread and dark humor make it a standout. I give it an 8/10 and would rewatch it to catch more details, especially since spoilers could ruin the experience—go in blind! I recommend it to anyone who loves a twisty thriller or smart horror.
What did you think of Weapons? Did the non-linear story hook you, or did the overlaps slow it down? Drop your thoughts in the comments, and here’s the big one: suggest a movie for my next Movie Watch Diary! I’m craving something thrilling or mysterious, so hit me with your picks. If you enjoyed this post, please like, follow, and share so you don’t miss the next hunt. Thanks for joining me—see you in the next one!
