Intro
I know I haven’t been enthusiastic of Cregger’s work, but I always try to be flexible and generous with second chances .
After watching Resident Evil, my friends sat me down to watch another Cregger film, Weapons.
Even if Barbarian made me scoff with its third act, I earnestly did want to see this film.
So, after watching Weapons, did Cregger deliver or did he fail me?
Let’s let that question linger for the suspense.
The Story
Weapons takes place in a small, suburban, American community where, for some strange and mysterious reason, a group of 17 children get up in the ungodly hours of the morning, walk out their front door, run out into the night in their Naruto-like run poses, and disappear into the darkness, never to be seen again.
The community is in an uproar and desperately asks that one eerie question: Where did they go?
The children are linked, as they are all students of the same class and teacher. All but one had vanished.
The teacher, Justine, is looked upon with suspicion that she becomes a pariah to the community as some get confrontational with her.
So, she takes matters into her own hands and tries to find out what the hell happened to those kids on that fateful night.
But she’s not alone as there are other forces at work that are doing the same thing.
As she continues on this mysterious path, she begins to discover that there is another more malignant will working against her and the others as things get more and more bizarre as the story continues.
The Good
So, I’m going to say it straight: I REALLY enjoyed Weapons.
It’s my favorite Cregger film.
Right off the bat, the movie has an intriguing mystery that keeps your eyes glued to the screen.
It leaves bread crumbs that makes you wonder where this will lead to next and keeps you curious.
I cannot tell you how many times I leaned forward with anticipation and asked, “what the hell is going on?”
Cregger used that technique in Barbarian and kept me at the edge of my seat… until the third act.
Weapons IS that; all the way through and then some.
What makes this movie so interesting is the fact that it’s not solely a horror film with a huge mystery within it. It’s also an ensemble.
I’ve never seen Magnolia, but based off of other critics and Cregger himself, this movie is inspired off it due to Paul West Anderson’s story-telling techniques in that film. Based on what I hear, the two stories’ structures are similar where we see the narrative progress and unravel as we move from one character’s POV to the next.
It has that sort of episodic, rewinding perspective that allows you to see certain events take place based on the characters who we’re following.
The neat trick about it is we are cut off with limited information from one character’s P.O.V. Once we get to the next character, we are shown additional information based on their perspective. Thus, allowing us to piece together the mystery bit by bit.
It’s a fragmented meta-narrative that allows us to experience a story, not through one sole character, but through an ensemble.
The closest movies I can think of that’s similar are Pulp Fiction or Rashomon, as said by Red Letter Media.
Being that this is an ensemble, it is absolutely essential that the characters are well-written for the story.
Luckily, Weapons delivers!
There’s never a dull moment with any of the characters. Even if they are dislikable, you can’t possibly ignore them because they each carry a stake on how the story is told and context is shifted. Sometimes you can even understand where they are coming from.
If you were like me, you may even have a change of heart or discover something about the characters.
The foils, Justine (played by Julia Garner) and Archer (played by Josh Brolin), for instance, are a paradigm of what I’m describing.
On first presentation, I thought I would hate Garner’s character and love Brolin’s. Turns out that my liking or disliking for them was more complicated than I had anticipated, which is usually a sign of good writing. And those two are my favorites; even the other characters have their own quirks, flaws, and strengths that give the film life.
What I’m saying is these characters are not just stereotypes but humans doing human things. It’s the one feature that makes this movie so compelling.
Even the antagonist, although despicable, creepy, and really fucking bizarre – also played incredibly well – is someone you cannot ignore.
With good characters written in an intriguing plot, there are some other good things in the film.
Cinematography can be staggering and mesmerizing for the genre and I appreciate the re-watchability for this film.
It allows you to go back and observe details more carefully around the center of the action.
Interestingly enough, I actually think the film gets funnier on re-watch. I notice humorous moments with some retrospective, dramatic irony as I’m so focused on the mystery on first experience.
Another interesting detail that I noticed from others, and I can attest to, is that there are some elements of urban legend story-telling, and it even comes close to an urban fairy tale. It’s strangely fascinating!
Now, with all this being said… is there any flaws to this film? Or is it perfect?
The Bad…???
This is honestly a first for me as I have to look for the problems with the film.
Luckily, there isn’t that many I can find.
One comes from the lighting department. When I first saw it on my friend’s TV, it didn’t really bother me so much, but when I saw it on my PC monitor, it was clear that it was just way too damn dark.
As the Mike Stoklasa says in his review, “Zach Cregger somehow achieved night for night.”
Just bring up the brightness, and it’s good.
Another “flaw” comes in the pacing toward the middle of the movie that some may not appreciate.
There comes a point where the story seems to linger, and stops following Justine and Archer. Instead, the movie tags along with other characters that don’t really progress the story.
It’s not necessarily bad, I just think the pacing will be slow that some may not like it.
One thing I would’ve liked to have seen comes from the antagonist; a logistics critique that can further improve their strategy.
I’ll try to be spoiler-free as much as possible using vague language.
I would’ve liked to have seen more utilization of their puppets.
There’s a really creepy scenario in the first chapter that conveys that aspect and is done so well, and clearly depicts appropriation of willpower.
It’s uncanny and sufficient for the viewer to ask, “what the hell is that?” without giving away the enigma while making sense later on.
I wanted more of that with the tools “functioning” in their routinely existence, but enough to see the uncanniness and that something is askew.
Whether it’s a feigned contorted countenance, awkward motor abilities that’s not invoked by will and conflicted by failed defiance, or even verbal conveyance from one soul to another that resonates “alien,” it would deter anyone, ESPECIALLY Justine, from further snooping out of suspicion and therefore make all malicious actions sweep under the radar without any other player getting wise.
It’s also an opportunity to add more creepy moments, in my opinion.
If you know what I mean, you know what I mean!
That’s the best I can describe without spoiling anything.
Just go watch it for God’s sake; it’s a good movie!
Conclusion
There’s really not much else I can say about Weapons other than this is the best Cregger film thus far, in my honest opinion.
Barbarian may have lost me, and Resident Evil may have alienated me, but Weapons is the one movie that has welcomed me in its house of mysteries, and I have really enjoyed what it has given me.
So, without wasting anymore time, it’s a movie I highly recommend and earns my legendary seal of approval!
I give Weapons eight spooky “missing” posters out of ten!
As always, thank you for reading!
What’d you think about Weapons?
Was it scary for you?
Did you enjoy the fragmented narrative.
Leave your comments and tell me what you think!
Sources
Warner Bros. Entertainment: Weapons | Weaponized: The Cast of Weapons | Behind the Scenes | Warner Bros. Entertainment
RedLetterMedia: Half in the Bag: Weapons