Weapons (2025): Cast, Story, Reviews and Where to Stream

Zach Cregger’s follow-up to Barbarian earned Amy Madigan an Oscar and became a word-of-mouth smash.

By EuroFilm Editorial · October 23, 2026 · 5 min read

Zach Cregger made his name with Barbarian (2022). Weapons, his second horror film as director, proved that was no fluke: it was one of the best-reviewed and most profitable films of 2025, grossing about $270 million on a $38 million budget.

What is Weapons about?

At 2:17 one morning, seventeen children from the same third-grade class get out of bed, run out of their homes and vanish. Only one child from the class remains. The town blames their teacher, Justine Gandy, and she and the grieving father of one of the missing boys start looking for answers themselves. The story is told in overlapping sections from different characters’ points of view, and it is best seen knowing as little as possible.

Weapons cast

Julia Garner plays the teacher, Justine, and Josh Brolin plays Archer Graff, a contractor whose son is among the missing. Alden Ehrenreich is Paul, a police officer and Justine’s ex, Austin Abrams plays James, a homeless addict caught up in events, and Benedict Wong is the school principal. Cary Christopher plays Alex, the one child left behind, and Amy Madigan plays his Aunt Gladys, a role that won her the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

What critics said

Weapons scored 93% on Rotten Tomatoes and 81 on Metacritic, with an A− CinemaScore, unusually high for horror. Critics praised Cregger’s control of mystery and tension and his dark sense of humour, and the consensus marked him as one of the most exciting voices in the genre.

Where to stream Weapons

It has been on HBO Max since October 24, 2025, and on digital rental since September 2025. A prequel about Aunt Gladys is planned for 2028.

Is Weapons worth watching?

Yes. It is a genuinely surprising, often funny and properly scary original horror film. It is R-rated, with strong violence. For more horror, read our guide to Sinners.