TL;DR
When 17 children vanish from a small town, the teacher and a desperate parent race to uncover a terrifying truth, facing obstruction at every turn. Director Zach Cregger's "Weapons" boasts a unique, genuinely scary premise and a stellar cast, including Marvel alumni delivering standout performances. While a re-watch reveals some improbable plot points and distracting digital effects, the film's unsettling atmosphere and a brilliant Dolby Atmos audio track elevate it. Discover if this horror thriller's compelling mystery and immersive sound make it a must-watch. Dive into the full review to find out.
Weapons is set in a small town shaken by an inexplicable tragedy. One night, 17 children disappear without a trace from their homes, having seemingly only left their beds and vanished. All the children are from the same class, and only one child from the class remains. The parents demand answers, and soon both suspicion and anger are directed at the class teacher Justine (Julia Garner), who endeavors to uncover the truth but is swiftly obstructed by both school authorities and the police. Archer (Josh Brolin) is a parent who discovers a crucial clue, and soon both he and Justine are on the trail of what happened to the children. The unfolding events prove to be far more perilous and unsettling than anyone could have anticipated.
Director and screenwriter Zach Cregger found success with the film Barbarian from 2022, a film that garnered significant attention. Weapons also generated considerable anticipation prior to its theatrical release. Initial viewing of the film was positive, and a re-evaluation was possible with the arrival of the Blu-ray disc. However, upon subsequent viewing, certain logical inconsistencies within the film become apparent. Archer’s pivotal breakthrough in the narrative presents as remarkably improbable, given that no one else had conceived of it over a period of months. Furthermore, certain sequences lose their impact due to inherent absurdity, particularly a scene involving a character’s unauthorized entry. These instances often appear to serve solely as plot devices.
However, despite these narrative shortcomings, Weapons is a dense and at times genuinely scary horror film that offers a genuinely unique premise. The ensemble cast delivers excellent performances; a notable highlight is the dynamic between actors recognized for their roles as Silver Surfer, Thanos, and Wong, particularly during a confrontation at a gas station. With the prevalence of Marvel films, it has become increasingly common to find multiple Marvel actors collaborating across different productions. The film’s conclusion, which had been lauded as exceptionally perfect, indeed offers a distinct and fitting resolution. However, the prevalence of digitally rendered glass effects occasionally detracts from immersion. Without revealing spoilers, this visual approach becomes evident during viewing.
Weapons is regrettably unavailable in UHD format in Sweden, necessitating reliance on the Blu-ray release. The visual presentation is stable, exhibiting commendable color reproduction and black levels. The aspect ratio is 2.39:1, mirroring its theatrical exhibition. However, the absence of HDR is noticeably felt when viewing on Blu-ray. A significant advantage is the inclusion of the Dolby Atmos audio track, which provides an impressively immersive experience. This is particularly evident during the climactic sequences, from the final battle onwards. Even subtle audio cues, such as movements within forested areas and dwellings, significantly enhance the eerie atmosphere. Furthermore, the disc includes a substantial amount of bonus material, which is a welcome addition.
In summary, Weapons stands as a highly effective horror/thriller, featuring several expertly crafted and unsettling sequences. The Blu-ray release is commendable from a technical standpoint and offers valuable behind-the-scenes insights. While the absence of a Swedish UHD release is unfortunate, Weapons nonetheless merits recommendation for its unique approach and the superior audio presentation afforded by its Dolby Atmos track!
SF Studios provided review copies for evaluation. The sender of the material has no editorial influence on our reviews; our reviews are always conducted independently, with a primary focus on our readers and consumers.
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