Weapons: Best Horror Movie of the Decade?
What is Weapons? Why is it being called the best horror movie of the decade? Why is it making so much money? Just like the story of the film, the conversation surrounding the movie leaves many questions unanswered. The story serves as an allegory for loss and how a community copes with it. Did the creators of the movie represent their goal successfully? We believe so.
While the imagery is sometimes on the nose, it still leaves you finding answers yourself. The abrupt end leaves the audience with time to think of what they just witnessed. The use of an image of a “weapon” in a dream sequence and the repetition of angel numbers convey the message while adding suspense to the story. Characters are more metaphorical than literal, representative of certain political archetypes.
On the topic of characters, the movie develops them quickly but in a way that makes the audience care for them. The movie is told from six different perspectives, each one ending on its own cliffhanger while developing different aspects of the story. This leads to the final confrontation, which relieves all the suspense expertly built up throughout the movie. On the other hand, five of the perspectives represent the five stages of grief to add to the allegorical nature of the movie. The movie doesn’t just present the story metaphorically; however, the makeup and costumes add horror and substance to the story.
The creators didn’t come out “guns blazing” with the horror elements and gore; the story developed naturally into it. When the story did get there, it was successfully unnerving and startled the audience greatly. Props to the costume and makeup department for making realistic designs and imagery. All aspects of the movie go into how we developed our review.
Pierce: I give it 4.5 “forks” out of 5 (ifykyk). The ending successfully gave us the final scene everyone in the theater was looking for, while surprisingly being funny enough to make the whole audience laugh. While the beginning was slow, it was needed to develop the characters and story. The movie was able to prevail in its message while also leaving the audience in thought.
Braden: I give the movie 2.8 “forks” out of 5. The ending ruined it for me, way too abrupt. The start was slow, but that was the point. The comedy is what saves it a little for me, surprisingly. It is enjoyable as a horror movie out with friends. I would suggest it to anyone who enjoys physical horror and practical effects.
