The wild Weapons ending nails the landing in one key way that 28 Years Later did not

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Weapons ending spoilers follow.

It’s understandable that a movie titled “Weapons” might be intense to watch, and indeed, Zach Cregger’s second film is just as harrowing, if not more so than his debut. However, similar to “Barbarian”, “Weapons” also manages to elicit laughter in certain scenes, particularly at the end.

The enigma that surrounds the film revolves around the fate of a group of children who vanished mysteriously one night. They had suddenly left their houses during the dead of night, and it remains unclear where they went. Moreover, the reason for Alex’s survival while everyone else disappeared remains unexplained.

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In my perspective, I uncovered the solutions within the house of my dear cousin Alex, temporarily taken over by his ailing Aunt Gladys who had concocted an unsettling strategy to combat her sickness. It was revealed that this witch-like figure had ensnared numerous children into her dwelling through enchantment, harnessing their vitality once my cousins’ parents ceased to suffice.

As a gamer, I played a part in organizing something unique. My so-called ‘aunt’ – someone who I barely recall my parents ever mentioning, and who seems more like an acquaintance than family, given her talk about ‘consumption’ – received some personal items from all of my classmates. These items would later be used to bind us in whatever mysterious way she had planned.

Let’s show some understanding towards Alex. He seems to be under duress, as Gladys threatens to make his parents, who appear like zombies, injure themselves with forks if he doesn’t comply.

Gladys has an unusual ability to manipulate people using witchcraft. By tying a lock of someone’s hair onto a unique branch and then breaking it in two, she can transform them into instruments of intense anger directed towards whoever she decides as her target. This practice is both chilling and somewhat reminiscent of fairy tales due to its eerie and macabre nature.

The climax occurs when Miss Gandy, the teacher of the missing class, joins forces with mourning father Parker, heading to Alex’s home in search of explanations. Gladys becomes aggressive, employing what she calls her “weapons” in a violent manner, resulting in several characters meeting their demise due to her actions.

Initially, the situation seems quite grave, but suddenly an unforeseen event occurs, causing a drastic change in the atmosphere that leaves you utterly taken aback.

In an attempt to free himself from Gladys’ grasp, Alex devises a plan to counteract her enchantment by employing the same ritual she used to subdue his schoolmates. With a swift movement of a twig tied in her hair, the children imprisoned below ground suddenly turn against their captor, driven by an intense desire to destroy Gladys with a ferocity reminiscent of wild beasts.

Immediately upon realizing the recent event, the witch swiftly takes advantage and sets off ahead of them. However, the children, unwilling to lose her, pursue relentlessly, dashing through doors, windows, and in some extraordinary cases, even breaking through walls to catch up with her.

In due time, they manage to overtake Gladys and dismantle her brutally without any tools except their raw strength. With this act, the enchantment was shattered. The children finally avenged themselves for what had been done to them. However, this is not a joyous conclusion.

Reflecting on the harrowing events, I can’t help but feel a profound sense of sorrow when I think about those children who lost their voices after our ordeal. It’s heart-wrenching to imagine that such trauma may have left them silent forever. As for Alex’s parents, they were subjected to a spell beyond comprehension, and the weight of that trauma has left them catatonic, frozen in their grief. The silence that now surrounds them is a testament to the power of our adventure, and serves as a poignant reminder of the indelible scars we all carry.

Never mind all the other people who died throughout, too.

Despite the grim conclusion, there’s an unexpected touch of humor woven into the otherwise harrowing events. The chase preceding the outcome might even provoke a chuckle, whether you intend to or not. Of course, the results of the spell are no laughing matter.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but express my astonishment and disbelief at the bizarre and startling turn of events in the final act. The sight of Gladys tearing away, limbs akimbo, is just one instance that left me utterly bewildered. But it’s not only her hasty exit that leaves a lasting impression; it’s also the audacious lengths these children go to pursue her. And let’s not forget the reactions of the neighbors, their puzzled expressions adding to the surreal atmosphere as they bear witness to these extraordinary events unfolding in broad daylight, devoid of any context whatsoever. It’s a scene that leaves one questioning reality itself.

Despite the initial shock, it functions effectively, and that’s primarily due to the deliberate humor in the piece. Contrary to any misconception, we’re not chuckling because the filmmaker, Zach Cregger, has strayed from what’s supposed to be terrifying. Instead, he’s eliciting laughter intentionally, much like he did throughout his first feature, “Barbarian“.

In the grand finale chase scene, there’s no randomness to its comedic exaggeration, and it’s not as if the humor suddenly appears without warning. Throughout the movie Weapons, such humorous moments are strategically placed, catching us off guard much like the scares that momentarily unnerve us.

One of the first scenes finds Josh Brolin’s character, the Archer, stirring awake from a gruesome nightmare, exclaiming angrily, “What in the world is this?”, displeased at having experienced such a terrifying ordeal. It’s rare for characters in horror movies to express their fear so directly, mirroring our own reactions to frightening dreams.

As a gamer, I’d describe James as the quirky, eccentric character who seems like he wandered onto the set from a different film altogether. But somehow, it all fits perfectly. Austin Abrams portrays him with wide-eyed anxiety and constant jitteriness, so caught up in his drug-seeking journey that he barely notices the creepy things unfolding right before his eyes. Initially, at least.

In that instance, finding him continuing with his burglary while Alex’s catatonic parents were on the couch was, at the very least, an awkwardly humorous situation. Despite this, it’s worth noting that his enthusiasm for the movie Willow is commendable.

In a unique blend of fear and laughter, Gladys stands out as both the most terrifying and amusing aspect within “Weapons.” She awkwardly challenges societal expectations in her unsuccessful endeavors to appear ordinary and guiltless by behaving bizarrely.

Watching Gladys, with her oddly bright-red grin and the unusual request for drinking water from a bowl, leaves one uneasy due to her sudden transitions between humorous and frightening, both aspects seemingly unpredictable and interchangeable.

In essence, Cregger’s style encapsulates the core of it all; as a seasoned humorist, he recognizes the crucial role timing plays in both comedy and other creative pursuits, and how surprisingly intertwined they can be. Similarly, Jordan Peele’s mastery of directing horror stems from his comedic past.

Regardless if you’re aiming for humor or fear, there’s always a crucial point to keep in mind – the punchline, along with the mounting suspense preceding it. Humorous instances serve to underscore how bizarre and alien these horrors seem, yet they also offer a kind of relief – a brief pause allowing viewers to catch their breath before the dread returns once more.

The conclusion of “Weapons” is compelling due to its masterful combination of various elements into an exhilarating, chaotic chase scene that leaves the viewer uncertain whether to feel fear or amusement. This ambiguity creates a unique sense of discomfort, a different form of tension, but it remains just as impactful.

In a similar vein, the movie titled “28 Years Later” also shares this trait, being another notable horror film from this year that portrays ordinary individuals metamorphosing into relentless attackers. Both films conclude with an unexpected change in tone, but it’s worth noting that “28 Years Later” makes a much more sudden transition into comedy compared to its counterpart.

This doesn’t mean it’s completely ineffective. The scene where Spike is rescued by Jack O’Connell’s reinterpretation of Jimmy Savile, unexpectedly, is a moment worth remembering because who would have thought that he and his crew of tracksuit-clad kung-fu masters could effortlessly appear and vanquish the Infected so swiftly.

This setup is quite intriguing indeed, and it becomes even more so if you know about Savile’s troubling real-life background. It takes courage to delve so deeply into such an unexpected genre change without giving any prior indication, but that boldness is also what made it a bit challenging for some viewers to accept.

Some viewers found this unexpected humor awkward, while others were left more puzzled than anything. Similarly, the film “Weapons” might have a less divisive ending because the director subtly sprinkles humor throughout the movie, much like a Grimm’s witch enticing children with sweets.

The prospects seem promising for Cregger’s upcoming project, as it falls under one of the well-known zombie series that rivals “28 Years Later” in fame. Indeed, the director known for “Weapons” and “Barbarian” is making his way to Raccoon City for a new “Resident Evil” reboot, which promises to be much scarier and more disturbing than past Hollywood adaptations.

Perhaps, under the influence of Cregger’s unique brand of humor, both Wesker and Leon could potentially find themselves smiling on occasion.

Weapons is out now in cinemas.

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2025-08-08 19:25