When all but one child from the same classroom mysteriously vanish on the same night at exactly the same time, a community is left questioning who or what is behind their disappearance.
(C) Warner Bros/New Line
It’s hard to pull off a horror film set in modern times. There are so many horror tropes that simply don’t work in a world with CCTV cameras and iPhones. The films that do make it work are rare and, fortunately, Weapons has joined that special group.
The concept is already intriguing, but leave it to director Zach Cregger to fully maximize its potential. While the structural style isn’t new to Cregger, he takes it up more than a notch here. Interestingly, it fits this mystery even better than in his previous effort, Barbarian, as Weapons rewards the viewer multiple times throughout the film thanks to the compelling situations faced by its characters and the town itself.
The humor is sprinkled throughout and works better here, unsubtly diffusing the tension. Even the few jump scares land effectively. They work because the sense of danger and intrigue never leaves the film, and all the jump scares are built upon that lingering suspense.
Now, about that final payoff… it’s definitely one of the most memorable scenes of the year. The satisfaction comes from the film’s fantastic buildup. At the same time, it’s a relentlessly violent scene, rarely seen in mainstream horror, that will leave you shocked and full of questions.
With all that, Weapons lingers. 4/5 ⭐
Weapons is now playing in PH cinemas and IMAX.
