In an Entertainment Weekly interview conducted in April 2025, Zach Cregger shared that his film “Weapons” draws significant inspiration from Paul Thomas Anderson’s 1999 epic “Magnolia.” The acclaimed movie featured a stellar cast and solidified Anderson’s status as a top American director. Cregger, however, remained coy about specific plot details, which was his strategy to intrigue audiences.

The film “Weapons” apparently revolves around a group of children who vanish from their homes overnight, all attending the class of local teacher Justine Grandy, portrayed by Julia Garner. According to Cregger, this serves only as the initial hook. “That mystery will drive at least half of the film, yet it’s not the entire storyline,” he mentioned. “The movie evolves, transforming and exploring new avenues. While we don’t ignore that initial mystery, there’s much more to it. By the midpoint, things take an even wilder turn.”

Despite the high-concept nature of “Weapons,” for Cregger, it’s a movie deeply rooted in personal experiences. “I endured a personal tragedy that was incredibly tough,” he disclosed. “I was so overwhelmed by grief that I began writing Weapons not out of ambition but as a means to process my emotions.” He also noted that he infused the film with autobiographical elements: “Certain segments genuinely reflect chapters of my life.”

Cregger aspired to create a film on a grander scale than his previous work “Barbarian,” which, without giving anything away, deals with a vacation rental that takes a terrifying turn. “I admire that sort of bold, ‘This is an epic’ approach,” Cregger explained to EW. “I appreciate that kind of grandeur. It inspired me to aim high and craft a horror epic with ‘Weapons.’

Cregger elaborated on the film’s scope: “Compared to ‘Barbarian,’ this film is more ambitious in nearly all aspects. I don’t just refer to the budget; creatively, it’s more complex. The story is stranger, with more twists and a broader scale. There are more actors to incorporate, and the set pieces are definitely larger. It’s a grander, more eccentric film than ‘Barbarian.'” He assured audiences that they would concur with him upon viewing it: “I promise you’ll see it. It truly is.”

You’ll find out much more about “Weapons” if you dare to see the film when it releases on August 8, 2025.