Weapons Review: Josh Brolin Shines In Zach Cregger’s Chilling, Slow-Burn Thriller | Hollywood News

Last Updated:August 07, 2025, 15:40 IST

Weapons, directed by Zach Cregger, is a psychological horror-thriller starring Josh Brolin, Julia Garner, and Austin Abrams.

A poster of the film.

Weapons review: Everything was going fine until one night, at exactly 2:17 am, all the students of a class — except one — left their homes and never returned. Now, all eyes are on the class teacher, Justine Gandy, played by Julia Garner. She’s been called a witch, characterless, and worse, as parents assume their children’s disappearance is somehow her fault. But Justine, just as concerned about the kids’ safety as everyone else, decides to uncover the truth. What happens next blows your mind in ways you wouldn’t imagine.

It’s been a long time since horror cinema delivered something more than just jump scares. In that dry spell, Weapons arrives like the first rain, unnerving, unexpected, and oddly beautiful. It doesn’t just jolt you with frights; it lingers with a haunting story that slowly tightens its grip. At first, the film can feel overwhelming, with its narrative split into multiple chapters focusing on different characters. But as the story progresses, the threads start to intertwine in ways that are not only satisfying but shockingly clever. By the time the climax arrives, it lands with the impact of a masterpiece.

The movie is divided into six chapters, telling the story of each important character. Josh Brolin as Archer Graff (grieving father), Julia Garner as Justine Gandy (the teacher at the center of the mystery), Cary Christopher as Alex Lilly (the only child who doesn’t vanish), Alden Ehrenreich as Paul Morgan (local police officer with ties to Gandy), Austin Abrams as Anthony/James (a troubled drifter or addict figure) and Benedict Wong as Andrew Marcus (school principal).

Each of these characters has their side of the story, which finally connects them in a way no one has imagined. And on a broader perspective, it is Gladys Lilly played by Amy Madigan (Alex’s enigmatic aunt), a character tough to understand and even harder not to fear.

After his cult hit Barbarian (2022), director Zach Cregger returns with another horror-thriller. While this one isn’t as ground-shaking as Sinners, which belongs to a similar league, it still manages to leave the audience with questions, anxiety, and fear. The background score, the camera movements, the close-ups, and at times, the use of panoramic shots in sheer silence make you squint your eyes in tension. The roughly two-hour-long film never feels dragged, and it’s a true skill to keep viewers hooked in a thriller that holds back its suspense until the very end.

Josh Brolin as Archer Graff (grieving father) is searching for someone to put the blame on, as he wants answers for his child’s sudden disappearance, and who is a better target than the teacher of the class that just disappeared? Josh’s performance adds a layer to the whole narrative and helps the story lead to its climax.

While Julia Garner as Justine Gandy is someone you pity, as she selflessly loved all the students, the blame takes a toll on her character, and Julia plays the role with utmost honesty.

While all the other characters are equally important and have a crucial role to play, the real scene-stealer is Austin Abrams as Anthony/James. In a film heavy with dread, he’s a chaotic spark. Austin, with his talent, makes you laugh your lungs out in the most serious scenes and comes as a breath of fresh air every time the narrative gets too heavy.

Weapons is a bold psychological horror-thriller that stakes its claim through a fractured, character-driven narrative and chilling premise. With gripping performances, a haunting premise, and a direction style that builds unease with every frame, it firmly establishes itself as one of 2025’s most riveting genre films. It’s a rare horror film that doesn’t just scare you, it stays with you.

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