"Weapons," directed by Zach Cregger, has been widely acclaimed as one of the standout horror films of 2025. It's a genre-bending movie that combines elements of horror, mystery, and thriller, and has been praised for its unique storytelling and tone.

Here's a summary of the key points from various reviews:

 * Plot and Structure:

 The film revolves around the mysterious disappearance of 17 schoolchildren from a small town. The narrative is presented from six different perspectives, and its time-scrambling, multi-chapter structure has been a major point of discussion. Many reviewers found this approach fascinating and effective in building suspense and creating multiple cliffhangers. However, some critics felt the "tricksy structure" was used to mask a simple and "uninspired" plot, which ultimately boils down to a supernatural explanation (a literal witch).

 * Direction and Tone:

 Cregger, known for his work on "Barbarian," is credited with honing his craft. "Weapons" is described as having a delicate balance of "unbearable tension and dark humor." The direction is praised for being "understated" and for using body horror in service of the story, rather than for gratuitous shock value. The film's tone is often compared to the works of filmmakers like Paul Thomas Anderson and Denis Villeneuve, and author Stephen King.

 * Performances: 

The cast, led by Julia Garner, Josh Brolin, and Alden Ehrenreich, has received widespread praise for their "fine-tuned" and "grounded" performances. The characters are noted for being well-developed and layered. Austin Abrams and Cary Christopher are also specifically mentioned for their scene-stealing turns.

 * Reception: 

The film has been a critical and commercial success, with a high rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It had a strong box office performance, grossing over $260 million worldwide on a budget of $38 million. It was released in theaters on August 8, 2025, and has since become available for digital purchase and streaming in various regions.

While the majority of reviews are positive, there are some dissenting opinions. Some critics felt that the twist, which reveals a supernatural element, deflated the mystery and turned the film into a less remarkable monster story. They argued that the intricate storytelling was a "gimmick" that couldn't hide a "lazy" and "uninspired" script, and that the film ultimately relied on characters making "idiotic" decisions.