Contains light spoilers for “Weapons” 

Since the initial buzz regarding Zach Cregger’s second solo directorial project “Weapons,” fans of Cregger’s 2022 horror success “Barbarian” have been eager to find out what the former sketch comedian has planned next. It turns out “Weapons” is larger, superior, and more daring than “Barbarian,” largely because of its central cast. Drawing inspiration from Paul Thomas Anderson’s 1999 film “Magnolia,” “Weapons” weaves its narrative around the puzzling disappearance of 17 children at precisely 2:17 a.m. with no clear cause. This story unfolds through vignettes focused on six characters: teacher Justine Gandy (Julia Garner), whose third-grade class vanishes except for one, grieving father Archer Graff (Josh Brolin), bumbling cop Paul Morgan (Alden Ehrenreich), struggling addict James (Austin Abrams), well-intentioned but ineffective school principal Marcus Miller (Benedict Wong), and Alex Lilly (Cary Christopher), the sole child from Justine’s class who remains.

The mystery of “Weapons” revolves around Alex and his enigmatic “aunt,” Gladys, portrayed by a remarkably transformed Amy Madigan. Gladys, whose familial title to Alex alternates between aunt and great-aunt depending on her mood, is a genuinely frightening presence who makes scant appearances in the marketing for “Weapons,” allowing her transformation to remain an intriguing secret. Without divulging too much about Gladys, it’s best to experience “Weapons” to uncover her role… but where have you seen Amy Madigan in the past? Given her career spanning the big and small screens since 1981, chances are you’ve encountered her work before, though you might have missed her under Gladys’ startling makeover.

One of the most captivating aspects of Amy Madigan’s jaw-dropping performance as Gladys in “Weapons” is her remarkable physical transformation. Many were shocked to realize that Madigan also played Annie Kinsella, wife of Ray Kinsella (Kevin Costner), in the 1989 sports classic “Field of Dreams.” The film garnered an Oscar nomination for Best Picture, and by then, Madigan was no stranger to prestigious accolades; she earned a nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the 1985 film “Twice in a Lifetime” alongside Ann-Margret, Ellen Burstyn, and Brian Dennehy.

Following “Field of Dreams,” Madigan took on the role of Chance Kobolowski in “Uncle Buck” and went on to appear in films like “Female Perversions,” “Pollock,” “Gone Baby Gone,” “Sweetwater,” and “Rules Don’t Apply.” More recently, she gave a hint of her involvement in “Weapons”—perhaps inadvertently—when appearing in the 2021 horror film “Antlers.” In “Antlers,” a teacher named Julia Meadows (Keri Russell) is concerned about a student, Lucas Weaver (Jeremy T. Thomas), who is facing issues at home unaware of the demonic presence threatening his household. In contrast to her role in “Antlers” as Ellen Booth, a victim of the malevolent force, in “Weapons,” Madigan assumes a more sinister role, yet both projects share eerie similarities.

If Amy Madigan’s significant film performances have somehow passed you by, there’s a strong chance you’ve spotted her on television over the years. She made her TV debut in 1981 with an appearance on “Hart to Hart” and subsequently appeared in now-iconic shows like “CHiPS” and “Frasier,” as well as the 1989 TV movie “Roe v. Wade,” which earned her a Golden Globe and an Emmy nomination.

For meatier roles, fans of the HBO original series “Carnivalé” may recognize Madigan as the devout Iris Crowe, sister to Clancy Brown’s Brother Justin Crowe. Meanwhile, “Grey’s Anatomy” enthusiasts may recall her portrayal of Dr. Katharine Wyatt, a therapist assisting Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) through traumatic past events and encouraging her relationship with Dr. Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey). Around that period, Madigan also graced shows like “Fringe,” “ER,” “Criminal Minds,” “Grace & Frankie,” “How to Get Away With Murder,” and “Penny Dreadful: City of Angels.”

Madigan is an exceptionally talented and experienced performer, and casting her in the pivotal, horrifying role of Gladys in “Weapons” was a masterful play by Zach Cregger. Not only does she deliver a truly unforgettable performance in a film chock full of excellent turns, but the makeup and clothes she sports will, we can only imagine, be a very popular Halloween costume this fall. In any case, Cregger had the right idea: when you write a character as offbeat and weird as Gladys, get someone as great as Madison on board.

“Weapons” is in theaters now.