Daily Guff

A chilling new horror film that has already been branded “f***ing insane” by audiences has officially landed in UK and US cinemas – and it’s already being tipped as essential viewing for fans of Netflix’s Ozark.

The movie, Weapons, boasts an all-star cast led by Julia Garner – best known for her Emmy-winning turn as Ruth Langmore – alongside Josh Brolin, Alden Ehrenreich, Justin Long, and Benedict Wong. It comes from Zach Cregger, the filmmaker behind 2022’s critically acclaimed Barbarian, which gained a reputation for leaving audiences deeply unsettled.

Garner takes on the role of Justine Gandy, a third-grade teacher whose life is thrown into chaos when, in a single night, every child in her class except one vanishes without a trace. The disappearance grips the entire community, but suspicion quickly falls on Justine – especially from Archer Graff, played by Brolin, the father of one of the missing children. Rather than remain on opposite sides, the two begin an uneasy alliance to uncover the truth about who, or what, is behind the mass disappearance.

The script for Weapons was one of the most sought-after in Hollywood, sparking a fierce multi-studio bidding war. Its notoriety even reached Jordan Peele, director of Get Out and Nope, who, according to Deadline, parted ways with two of his managers after failing to secure the project as a producer.

When it premiered, the film scored a perfect 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, and although it has since dipped slightly to 97% after a handful of more mixed reviews, the critical reception remains glowing. Out of 160 reviews, only six have been less than positive, and the audience score sits at a strong 90%. Over on IMDb, it holds an impressive 8/10 rating.

Brian Tallerico of RogerEbert.com awarded the film 3.5 out of 4 stars, praising its balance of terror and humour: “In the end, Zach Cregger wants to take you on a ride, and so he’s got to provide both hills and valleys, producing a horror film that’s equally hilarious and chilling.” Freelance critic Bill Bria described it as “a dark bedtime story” that swings between strange, unexpected territory and the kind of dread you can see coming but still can’t escape.

Social media has been equally enthusiastic. One fan declared on X: “Weapons has changed the game. A genre masterclass of genuine fear & soul-rocking imagery. Zach Cregger is firing on all cylinders, creating a sense of horror in its most primal form. Buckle up, this is generational.” Another called it “one of the most insane f***ing movies I’ve ever seen in my entire life,” while a third compared it favourably to the acclaimed Longlegs, saying it “stuck the landing” even better.

One particular scare has already become infamous. “Everyone was screaming for 30 seconds when this scene happened in Weapons,” one viewer wrote. “Literally an all-timer scare.”

The combination of Cregger’s genre-blending style, Garner’s intense performance, and a storyline that mixes mystery, paranoia, and sheer terror seems to have struck a nerve with horror fans. With its mix of psychological unease and explosive set-pieces, it’s being hailed not just as one of the best horror releases of the year but as a potential modern classic.

Weapons is now playing in cinemas across the UK and the US – but be warned: according to audiences, this is a film that will have you gripping your seat, covering your eyes, and maybe even screaming along with everyone else in the theatre.