STORYLINE: When all but one child from the same class mysteriously vanish on the same night at exactly the same time, a community is left questioning who or what is behind their disappearance. (IMDb)

    Murder on the Orient Express (1974), The Conversation (1074), Tinker Tailror Soldier Spy (2011), Gone Girl (2014), Knives Out (2019), and The Order (2019) are all mystery films at their celluloid heart.  Each film approaches its presentation of that mystery in a different way, whether it’s a detective story, espionage feature, or paranoia thriller.  The recent release, Weapons, presents its mystery as a horror film.

    I’ve made no secret about preferring horror films that have a slow burn and create an atmospheric feeling, during their runtime.  Weapons does just that, while sprinkling in jump scares.  The film features a few gory moments. These moments are in the film to support the story, in context they make sense, and are subtle.

    Weapons is presented to the audience in chapters.  With each chapter the audience get a perspective change.  This technique provided a unique way to get different puzzle pieces without being repetitive. 

    Adding to the appeal of the film, for me, was Josh Brolin.  Ever since I first saw the one, two, theee punch in 2007 of American Gangster, Grindhouse, and  No Country for Old Men I have been a fan.

    Weapons feels very much like something Stephen King would have written.   It has the mystery of The Mist or Dreamcatcher.  Weapons also has the atmospheric feelong that adaptations such as Hearts In Atlantis (2001) or The Shining (1980) has.

    When you bundle all of this together, Weapons, is not only ends up being a pretty decent horror flick but a nice addition to the 2025 summrt movie season. 

   Until next time I will see you at the movies!