Latest news with #Barbarian
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Weapons Review: 2025 Has Been Remarkable For Horror Movies, And This Is The Best One Yet
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. There are no 'rules' in storytelling that can't be creatively and successfully broken, and writer/director Zach Cregger wonderfully demonstrated that with his 2022 horror debut Barbarian. Spending 40 minutes setting up one narrative only to pivot to a completely new protagonist with no relation to the previous story seems like a preposterous way to structure a movie, but what might be perceived as its most challenging aspect is actually its greatest strength, as the film successfully blindsides the audience in such a way as to release all expectations and open them to any wild surprise that might be coming next. Weapons Release Date: August 8, 2025Directed By: Zach CreggerWritten By: Zach CreggerStarring: Julia Garner, Josh Brolin, Alden Ehrenreich, Austin Abrams, Benedict Wong, Cary Christopher, June Diane Raphael, Toby Huss, and Amy MadiganRating: R for strong bloody violence and grisly images, language throughout, some sexual content and drug useRuntime: 128 minutes This successful audacity has helped pave the path for Cregger's second genre venture, which is not only even more audacious, but more successful – in that it's not just 'good' or even 'great,' but phenomenal. We may now be only a little more than halfway through the year, but I am wholly confident that Weapons will be remembered as one of the best films of 2025 and regarded as one of its most spectacular big screen experiences. It weaves together in a way as to always keep you in the dark about what is coming next, unfurling a collection of character-centric, overlapping vignettes that each contribute to the epic larger picture. And as it keeps you on the hook, it jabs at you with spikes of terror and horror (along with some laughs) that will have you jumping and yelping. Set in the fictional small town of Maybrook, the movie begins one month into a mystery that has devastated the local community. On a random weekday in the middle of the night, all but one of the children in a single third grade classroom arose from their beds, left their homes, and went running out into the night without leaving a trace. While authorities have some video footage courtesy of doorbell cameras – the kids seen creepily running at full tilt with their arms angled out at their sides – they are baffled by the development, as there is no evidence of any kind of coordination or planned abduction. The parents of the 17 boys and girls are all confused and scared, and a prime target of their angst is Justine Gandy (Julia Garner), their teacher. Justine has a history of misconduct and, unbeknownst to anybody, an unaddressed drinking problem, but she cares about what happened to her students as much as anyone, and when she is put on administrative leave, she doesn't stay at home and do nothing. She instead starts a bit of independent investigating, and shocking discoveries she makes see her story collide with those of Archer, a grieving father (Josh Brolin); Paul, an ex-boyfriend/beat cop (Alden Ehrenreich); James, a meth-addicted thief (Austin Abrams); Marcus, the school principal (Benedict Wong); and Alex, the only kid in Justine's class who didn't disappear (Cary Christopher). As he did with Barbarian, Zach Cregger uses an unorthodox structure to tell a wicked and horrifying tale. Weapons holds on dearly to its secrets and successfully maintains the answer to its core mystery until its closing act full of wild revelation, but the film's brilliance is offering teases and stakes purely through its characters. It starts with Justine, who is a flawed individual, but the love she has for her kids is very real (made particularly palpable by Julia Garner's outstanding performance), and her investment and care becomes ours. She is stubborn and smart, and makes some key discoveries as she follows her instincts. And just as pieces are starting to slot together... Zach Cregger keeps you hungry by switching protagonists and adding whole new dimensions to the puzzle with different insights and clues unearthed by Archer – whose entire life has become background noise as he desperately hunts to figure out what happened to his son. But what makes Weapons so cool and special is that it's not simply a Rashomon-esque collection of perspectives on the same incidents; it can be more accurately described as an anthology film with a single continuity and linked characters. Paul is romantically entangled with Justine (and 'entangled' is definitely the right word to describe their collective messiness), but he isn't assigned to the case with the missing children and has his own disasters that he has to try and deal with. His story is great and compelling in its own right as he desperately tries to mop up conflicts of his own creation… but his narrative also gets sideswiped and caught up in the big picture chaos growing in Maybrook. It's all sewn together with remarkable panache and confidence, as Cregger delights in toying with his audience – perfectly evidenced by the excited gasps that are evoked each time one segment ends and the next one begins. It's layered in a way as to have you constantly asking new questions to yourself and pondering how certain cliffhangers are going to be resolved, keeping you hooked at every second, and each answer it offers is blissfully satisfying. There is a point in the final act where the pacing slows because the movie needs to fill in some vital gaps, but it's in service of keeping an eye on the prize: the unholy and explosive finale is unequivocally one of the most magnificent things I've seen on the big screen in recent years. I hesitate to even describe the complex tone of the finale as to avoid spoiling anything about what audiences are going to experience, but I will tease it by saying that I can't remember the last time I sat in a theater full of adults and witnessed such a wild reaction to a film. Weapons is full of scary and unforgettable terrors. You've probably guessed by this point, but Weapons is not just made with spellbinding story construction; it's also beautifully scary and unnerving. In collaboration with cinematographer Larkin Seiple and editor Joe Murphy (the latter a Barbarian reunion), Zach Cregger demonstrates an adept eye for lingering horrific images and stabbing jump scares that lift you out of your seat but never feel cheap. Unflinching moments of brutality and gore will drop your jaw, but you'll also be stunned by moments of extended stillness and silence. The cast deserves immense credit as well, as the genuine terror felt by the characters becomes our own (Josh Brolin delivers an all-timer 'What the fuck?!' after being on the receiving end of a monstrous jolt), and while the less said, the better in this spoiler-free space, I am compelled to throw a special spotlight on the work of Amy Madigan, who will be REMEMBERED. As a horror fan, I feel as though I am being blissfully spoiled thus far in 2025. From Drew Hancock's Companion, to Osgood Perkins' The Monkey, to Ryan Coogler's Sinners, to James Ashcroft's The Rule Of Jenny Pen, to Zach Lipovsky and Adam Stein's Final Destination: Bloodlines, to Danny and Michael Philippou's Bring Her Back, to Danny Boyle's 28 Years Later, the genre has been the great cinematic highlight of the calendar year, and Weapons is the best new release yet. It's intimate while also being epic, it's scary while expertly utilizing humor as punctuation, and even the most dedicated cinephiles will be rocked by its surprises. It's perfect and a must-see. Solve the daily Crossword
Express Tribune
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Zach Cregger's 'Weapons' debuts with perfect Rotten Tomatoes score amid glowing early reviews
Weapons, the upcoming horror film starring Josh Brolin, has premiered with a perfect 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on early critic reviews. Directed by Zach Cregger, known for his breakout horror film Barbarian, the new release is receiving strong critical approval ahead of its August cinema debut. The plot follows the disturbing disappearance of 17 children from the fictional town of Maybrook, who all leave their homes voluntarily at exactly 2:17am. No signs of force are found, and the community is left shaken as investigators search for answers. The mystery has already been praised for its structure and narrative tension. Dread Central called the film 'an instant horror classic,' and described it as 'joyously cruel, constantly surprising, brutally funny, and 100% cursed from top to bottom.' Gizmodo highlighted the premise as 'smart, seductive, and deeply disturbing,' noting that even a weaker version of the story would have been worth watching. SlashFilm described Weapons as 'a wonderful mixture of bad vibes and macabre fun,' while Edward Douglas of The Weekend Warrior called it 'the most 'WTF?!' movie ever,' but also one of the most enjoyable. The cast includes Josh Brolin, Julia Garner, Alden Ehrenreich, Benedict Wong, Amy Madigan, Austin Abrams, and Cary Christopher. While the Rotten Tomatoes score currently reflects only 10 reviews, the early reception suggests Weapons could become a standout title in this year's horror calendar. Zach Cregger's direction has been a focal point of the praise, with reviewers noting stylistic links to Barbarian but a fresh and cohesive execution. Weapons opens in theatres nationwide on August 8.
Pink Villa
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
EXCLUSIVE: Josh Brolin Reveals What Compelled Him to Join Zach Cregger's Weapons Movie: 'After 40 Years, I've Started to Look at Things Differently'
Josh Brolin, known for roles in No Country for Old Men and Avengers: Endgame, is stepping into new territory with Weapons, a horror-thriller from director Zach Cregger, the filmmaker behind Barbarian. Brolin spoke to Pinkvilla exclusively about what made him say yes to this chilling new film, calling the script both personal and powerful. A story that grew on him At first, Brolin wasn't sure about the project. 'I think what's happened in the trajectory of my career is after 40 years, I've started to look at things a little bit differently,' he told Pinkvilla. 'This kind of came up, and I hadn't seen Barbarian, but I read the script for Weapons and I thought the design of the script was really compelling, really interesting. And I kept going back to it.' Brolin admitted that his initial instinct was to walk away. 'I was like, 'Nah.' Then, every time I went back to it, it got more and more interesting.' Why working with Zach Cregger made it personal A big turning point came when Brolin met with director Zach Cregger. 'I felt like he was an open book,' Brolin said. 'He was kind of like, 'This is me. This is who I am. This is where I'm at in my life. This is what I've gone through. This is what this script came from.' Cregger shared that the script was inspired by the loss of a close friend, and each character represented part of his own emotional journey. 'That was the most interesting, which he alluded to in our first meeting and then expanded when we met again,' Brolin said. 'I was very moved by that. And so, that made it personal for me.' Here's what made Weapons stand out professionally From a career point of view, Josh Brolin was impressed by the structure of the script. 'The design of the script was exceptional, because it reminded me of early Iñárritu and Guillermo Arriaga, the kind of films that I loved,' he said. 'I like that this guy is obviously influenced by great people and is making it his own.' After finally watching Barbarian, Brolin was even more convinced. 'I really liked it,' he added. Brolin also praised Cregger for being a grounded and emotionally connected filmmaker. 'He's a very sensitive director-because of the sensitivity, he's very present, and he wants it to stay personal to him,' Brolin said. 'And I like that kind of pressure, as opposed to a guy who's just making a movie to make a lot of money. I mean, we all want to make a lot of money, but this is personal to him.' Weapons is a horror-thriller about a mysterious incident where all children, excluding one, vanish from the same class at exactly 2:17 a.m. The film stars Josh Brolin, Julia Garner, Alden Ehrenreich, Austin Abrams, Cary Christopher, Benedict Wong, and Amy Madigan.
Pink Villa
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Weapons Movie Explained: What Zach Cregger's 2025 Horror Mystery Is Really About
Weapons, directed and written by Zach Cregger, is one of the most talked-about horror movies of 2025. Set in the fictional town of Maybrook, the story begins one month after a shocking event where 17 third-grade children leave their homes in the middle of the night and vanish without a trace, except for one student. The only child who didn't disappear is Alex, played by Cary Christopher. Video footage shows the missing kids running with their arms out at their sides, but no one can explain why. Their teacher, Justine Gandy (Julia Garner), becomes a key figure in the mystery. Though she has a history of misconduct and an unspoken drinking problem, she genuinely cares for her students and begins her own investigation after being placed on leave. A multi-character puzzle of horror The film weaves together the stories of several characters linked to the children and each other. Josh Brolin plays Archer, a grieving father desperate for answers. Alden Ehrenreich plays Paul, Justine's ex-boyfriend and a beat cop, who has his own set of issues and is not assigned to the case. Benedict Wong appears as Marcus, the school principal, and Austin Abrams plays James, a meth-addicted thief. As these characters' stories unfold, new clues and perspectives come into play. Each character-driven vignette adds layers to the overall narrative, which slowly reveals the horrifying truth. The film doesn't follow a traditional linear structure. The review by Cinema Blend explained that it isn't just a Rashomon-style collection of different perspectives, but rather an anthology-style movie with a single continuity and interconnected characters. This unique format keeps the audience engaged and constantly guessing. Here's what makes weapons stand out Zach Cregger, known for Barbarian, brings back his signature storytelling style. The movie is filled with jump scares, silence, and brutal horror without ever feeling cheap. According to Cinema Blend, the film's editing by Joe Murphy (from Barbarian) and cinematography by Larkin Seiple help elevate its visual and emotional impact. Weapons is set to release on August 8, 2025, and is rated R for 'strong bloody violence and grisly images, language throughout, some sexual content, and drug use.' It runs for 128 minutes and stars Julia Garner, Josh Brolin, Alden Ehrenreich, Austin Abrams, Benedict Wong, Cary Christopher, June Diane Raphael, Toby Huss, and Amy Madigan.
Geek Tyrant
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Tyrant
RESIDENT EVIL Reboot Director Promises Movie Will Feel Like the Games — GeekTyrant
The Resident Evil franchise has been a staple in the horror gaming world for decades, terrifying fans with everything from classic zombies to creepy mold-infected families. Over the years, Hollywood has tried to adapt the series with mixed results. Now, Zach Cregger, the filmmaker behind Barbarian and the upcoming Weapons , is taking a swing at the franchise with a brand-new reboot. While details about the new Resident Evil movie are still under wraps, it's expected to start filming soon and hit theaters next fall. Fans have been curious about what direction Cregger will take, especially since previous adaptations have drifted far from the source material. During an interview with ComicBook, Cregger opened up about why he wanted to take on the project—and his answer should get longtime fans hyped. The filmmaker said: 'Because I love the games. I played all of the games. I played Resident Evil 4 a hundred times through. I'm obsessed with it. And so, I just want to tell a story that feels like it's honoring the experience you get when you play the games. 'I haven't seen the movies, that's just not my thing. But the games are my thing. That's just a playground I just love….I think the movie is going to rip. I think it's going to rip.' It's wild to think Cregger hasn't seen any of the previous Resident Evil films, but honestly, that might work in his favor. The previous movies were financially successful, sure, but they were messy and often unrecognizable to fans of the games. You can see Cregger passion for the series and there's no doubt that he's aiming to capture the real Resident Evil experience on the big screen. He's also hinted that while the movie will take some liberties with the lore, the goal is authenticity. Recent rumors suggest the story might take place on the outskirts of Raccoon City during the events of Resident Evil 2 and 3, as an outbreak plays a big part in the plot. The new Resident Evil movie is set to hit theaters on September 18, 2026, and if Cregger's enthusiasm is any indication, this could finally be the adaptation fans have been waiting for.
