I've had few better in-theater experiences than that advanced screening of Barbarian a few years ago. None of us had any idea what to expect. Just when it seemed the film was taking an obvious path, something absolutely crazy happened, shifting perspectives to a character we hadn't even met before. The groans and cheers and giddy laughter were exactly why some movies should be experienced with an audience.
Now armed with a much bigger budget and bigger stars, Cregger has retained that ability to surprise. All of his strengths are turbocharged in Weapons, delivering a movie that's at once shocking, familiar, disgusting, unsettling, and often hilarious.
Late one night, all the students save one in Justine Gandy's class walked out their front doors and ran away. As the weeks pass with no sign of any of the kids, community fear coalesces into community anger, all directed at Justine (Julia Garner). But while she's not the villain of the story, Cregger smartly doesn't make her a saint either. She's the victim of harassment, but she's also a self-destructive alcoholic who doesn't mind dragging other people down with her.
One of the biggest thorns in her side is Archer (Josh Brolin), the father of one of the missing kids. A real son of a bitch, he eventually checks his emotions and partners with Justine to do their own investigation. And that's probably where I should stop explaining what happens in the movie. It regularly shifts perspectives, forging what could be one-note archetypes into (mostly) fleshed-out characters with their own strengths and weaknesses and connections to the case.
While the film has several clever twists, what's most impressive is how Cregger has taken a leap as a writer and director. There's an even richer sense of atmosphere, more inventive camerawork, and more natural writing. I was especially taken by an early scene when Justine meets with an ex (Alden Ehrenreich) at a bar. I could have watched them chat for an hour, trying to get the other to let down their guard enough to move past small talk. Stuff like that is only possible when a movie gets room to breathe.
And that's not all. Cregger also uses violence effectively. Yes, there are some gnarly kills. But he never uses gore for gore's sake. Each death is traumatizing and has a purpose. But did I mention how funny Weapons is? Whether it's characters waking up from nightmares and muttering obscenities to themselves, unexpected music choices, or the absolutely unhinged finale, there are plenty of laughs to be had amidst all the bloodshed.
There are also deeper themes to explore if you want to go there. But first and foremost, Weapons is a delightfully deranged horror film, and one you need to experience with a crowd.
