Here’s our first look at Zach Cregger’s “Weapons.” Below this piece, you will find images of Josh Brolin and Julia Garner in this much-anticipated horror film (via Entertainment Weekly).
Cregger, known for his breakout horror hit “Barbarian,” is pushing boundaries with his next film, “Weapons,” which he describes as a bold and expansive horror experience. Drawing creative inspiration from Paul Thomas Anderson’s “Magnolia,” Cregger is aiming for something significantly larger in scale and complexity than his previous work.
Cregger has now opened up about the surprising influence behind his upcoming horror film, revealing “Magnolia” played a key role in shaping his creative vision. While “Magnolia” and “Weapons” may appear worlds apart in terms of genre and tone, Cregger credits PTA’s bold storytelling approach as a catalyst for his own ambitions.
“There’s something about that kind of unapologetic epic,” Cregger tells EW. “I love that movie. I love that kind of bold scale. It gave me permission when I was writing this to shoot for the stars and make it an epic. I wanted a horror epic, and so I tried to do that."
The influence extends beyond narrative structure into visual style as well. One subtle homage: actor Alden Ehrenreich sports a mustache in “Weapons” —a deliberate nod to John C. Reilly’s appearance in “Magnolia.” According to Cregger, this was one of several aesthetic choices designed to echo the spirit of Anderson’s film.
“Weapons,” set for theatrical release on August 8, 2025, centers on a chilling event: at exactly 2:17 a.m. on a random Wednesday, 17 children in the fictional town of Maybrook, Pennsylvania, rise from their beds and vanish into the night—never to return. While this unsettling incident anchors the film’s opening, Cregger emphasizes that it’s only the beginning. The narrative, he says, evolves dramatically, shifting directions and diving into increasingly strange and unexpected territory.
“This isn’t just about a central mystery,” Cregger explained in an interview with Entertainment Weekly. “The story transforms. It’s not abandoning the mystery, but what follows is even wilder.” He promises a film that is not only more creatively daring than Barbarian, but also larger in scope, with more elaborate set pieces and a uniquely twisted storyline.
Adding intrigue to the project is the possibility that “Weapons” and “Barbarian” might share a connected universe. Fans can explore the eerie backdrop of the story further through the interactive site MaybrookMissing.com.
The ensemble cast includes notable names such as Josh Brolin, Julia Garner, Alden Ehrenreich, Benedict Wong, Amy Madigan, Austin Abrams, and Cary Christopher.
