Weapons
Weapons is playing in theaters at the time of writing. Rated R. Common Sense says 17+
When all but one child from the same class mysteriously vanish on the same night at exactly the same time, a community is left questioning who or what is behind their disappearance.
STORY: A
Simple story; intricate storytelling.
A common gripe popping up in the discourse around Weapons is that the plot is much too simple. And it’s true, one doesn’t need more than a few sentences to summarize the entire plot.
Yet writer-director Zach Cregger (Barbarian) unfurls his tale in a complex and utterly captivating way. Its unique structure acts as a microscope, magnifying every macabre nook and terrifying cranny. That closer look reveals an enthralling universe that would otherwise escape the naked eye. It’s where the film’s real juice lies.
PEOPLE: A
The next generation is in good hands.
Julia Gardner and Alden Ehrenreich were already on the road to great careers. This film confirms they’re still in the car and that they’ve got no plans to pull over for a break anytime soon.
Both of them create characters containing multitudes, prodigiously displaying multiple facets of interesting, complex personalities. Their performances take a great script and make it even greater.
FILM NERD STUFF: A-
Who is this woman?
The movie begins by following Julia Gardner through school hallways, community meetings, and liquor stores. The camera lurks behind her, and it’s five full minutes before we see her face.
Why?
The town isn’t sure who this woman is, and the position of the camera makes sure that we’re not either. That common feeling we have with the film’s characters immerses us in the story’s world. It’s a fabulous example of how camera placement can help tell a story.
ONE BIG LESSON: A-
The language of cinema.
In a recent interview, Ryan Coogler said something to the effect of (I’m paraphrasing), “I wanted to say something with this movie (Sinners) that I couldn’t say with words. I could only say what I wanted to say through this movie.”
The same idea feels true for Weapons. Cregger doesn’t bludgeon us over the head with a message. He doesn’t rent billboard space in Times Square, broadcasting neon insights on the human condition.
The film contains the language of abusers, hints of school shooting tragedies, the seeming impossibility of overcoming grief, and the burning angst that boils over when either we don’t get an explanation or we don’t get the one that we want.
What does Weapons say? What does it mean? I’m not sure I (or anyone else, including Cregger) can conjure adequate words to tell you. I do believe the best way to understand it is to let the film speak for itself.
FINAL COMMENTS:
Horror fans and movie goers looking for something more than what we typically find at the multiplex or on streaming will appreciate and love Weapons. It’s a well written, well acted, well crafted film that contains a message one can certainly feel, if not articulate.
The film seems meant to spark conversations - the kind we should be having, the kind that help us realize we’re not alone, the kind that could actually, possibly, very likely make the world a just a tiny bit better place to be.