TL;DR
A small town is rocked when 17 children vanish, leaving only one boy and suspicion falling on their teacher. As she and a grieving parent race to uncover the truth, they find themselves in a perilously complex mystery. While "Weapons" boasts a unique premise, strong acting, and a terrifying atmosphere, the review points out some logical leaps and convenient plot points that might pull you out of the intense story. However, the Blu-ray delivers impressive picture and a standout Dolby Atmos audio track. Dive in to see if this horror flick is worth the watch.
Weapons unfolds in a small town grappling with an inexplicable tragedy. One night, 17 children vanish without a trace from their homes, seemingly departing voluntarily. All the missing children belong to the same class, with only one young boy remaining. As parents demand answers, suspicion and anger swiftly turn toward the class teacher, Justine (Julia Garner). She embarks on a quest to uncover the mystery, but soon faces opposition from both the school administration and the police. Meanwhile, Archer (Josh Brolin), a grieving parent, uncovers a crucial clue. Both he and Justine then pursue the truth behind the children’s disappearance, which proves to be far more perilous and intricate than anyone could have anticipated.
Director and screenwriter Zach Cregger achieved acclaim with his 2022 film Barbarian, a title that garnered considerable attention. Similarly, Weapons generated significant anticipation prior to its theatrical release. Upon an initial viewing, the film left a positive impression; however, a subsequent viewing on Blu-ray revealed certain logical inconsistencies. Notably, Archer’s pivotal breakthrough in the narrative seems remarkably contrived, as it’s an insight that inexplicably eluded everyone else for months. Furthermore, some sequences falter due to their inherent implausibility, particularly a scene involving a character’s forced entry, which relies heavily on convenient plot devices to advance the story.
Despite these narrative shortcomings, Weapons stands as a dense and, at times, genuinely terrifying horror film, distinguished by its unique premise. The acting performances are commendable, and it’s an enjoyable observation to see Silver Surfer, Thanos, and Wong share a scene at a gas station. Indeed, with the proliferation of Marvel films, it’s increasingly common to find multiple Marvel actors co-starring in other projects. The film’s conclusion was widely praised as exceptional, and while it is indeed distinctive and appropriate, the prevalence of digitally rendered glass elements occasionally detracts from the immersion. Without revealing specifics, the visual effect becomes apparent upon viewing.
Unfortunately, Weapons is not currently available on UHD in Sweden, making the Blu-ray edition the primary option. The picture quality is robust, presenting surprisingly vivid colors and deep black levels. Adhering to its theatrical aspect ratio of 2.39:1, the presentation is solid, though the absence of HDR is noticeable when viewed on Blu-ray. A significant advantage is the inclusion of a Dolby Atmos audio track on the disc, which delivers an immersive experience. This is particularly evident in the film’s latter half, from the climactic battle onwards. Subtle sound details, such as movements in the forest and within structures, contribute effectively to the unsettling atmosphere. The disc also features a substantial collection of bonus material, which is a welcome addition.
In conclusion, Weapons is a highly effective horror/thriller that boasts several expertly crafted and suspenseful sequences. The Blu-ray edition offers strong technical performance and includes valuable behind-the-scenes content. While a Swedish UHD release would be preferred, Weapons is nevertheless recommended for its bold approach to storytelling and the inclusion of a Dolby Atmos soundtrack.
SF Studios provided review copies for this evaluation. Material providers exert no editorial influence on our reviews; we maintain complete independence, focusing on our readers and consumers.
