Weapons: Unpacking the Thrills in Cregger's Ambitious New Horror

In the realm of horror cinema, director Zach Cregger continues to distinguish himself with his new movie, "Weapons." Nominally inspired by Stephen King's works, this narrative takes us to a small town experiencing the bewildering disappearance of a whole class of primary school children in one mysterious evening. The unsettling presence of a shabby clown-like figure adds to the foreboding. Despite a sudden transition into witchlike horror, the film is lacking a captivating tapestry to bring this shift to life.

Crafted with artful expertise, the film is potent with stylistic atmosphere, presented beautifully by Larkin Seiple. Spiralling tracking shots and a chilling score by the Holladay brothers and Cregger create an eerily gripping sensation. The film benefits from an excellent ensemble cast and an interesting chapter-by-chapter structure.

Significant attention is given to the disturbing phenomenon of children exiting their homes all at the same time-2:17 a.m.- sprinting like winged creatures through the dimly lit streets, to vanish without a trace. This is accompanied by the eerie song "Beware of Darkness" by George Harrison. The film leaves room for interpretation as a symbolism of the disconcerting tragedy that routinely shatters numerous American towns. A meagre insinuation of society's hypocrisy, quick in blaming others, slow to look at its ineptitude, imparts some content. However, the connections lack conviction, leaving the audience with a narrative that sparks more oddities than scares, potentially leading to dissatisfaction.

Despite its shortcomings, "Weapons" solidifies Cregger's potential as a skilful horror genre director known for seamlessly flipping between terror and twisted humour. Viewers follow the story from different perspectives, unveiled in chapters named after the leading characters. The less the audience knows, the better the suspense as they discover the depths each character is willing to reach under dark influences, including acts of extreme violence. The final twist creates a Lynchian ambiance, though a penchant for grotesque comedy blunts the horror.

Though the film lacks depth, Cregger's commanding direction, alongside a late-arrival character's fervor balances horror with comedy and suspense, culminating in a blood-spattered ending reminiscent of "Lord of the Flies". It leaves viewers questioning the meaning behind a mysterious blue triangle in the title graphic, symbolic of the film's unexplored depths. It hints at the potential that Cregger could ascend to the ranks of great horror visionaries with a touch more psychological depth.