New 2025 Horror Movie Is Already Being Hailed Film of the Year

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Initial responses to Zach Cregger’s upcoming horror film, titled “Weapons,” suggest another potentially chilling triumph for the director of “Barbarian” as critics are already hailing the movie as “the film of the year” and a “horror masterpiece” prior to its global release next month. Cregger’s 2022 horror production, “Barbarian,” garnered both critical praise and commercial success, earning $45.4 million worldwide on a budget of just $4.5 million, making it a box office smash. If the buzz among critics is any indication, “Weapons” might be poised to follow suit.

Starring Academy Award nominee Josh Brolin (known for “The Goonies” and upcoming “Dune 2”), Julia Garner (famous for “Ozark” and “Inventing Anna”), Alden Ehrenreich, Austin Abrams, Cary Christopher, Benedict Wong, Academy Award nominee Amy Madigan (renowned for “Twice in a Lifetime”), June Diane Raphael, Whitmer Thomas, Toby Huss, and Luke Speakman, the movie “Weapons” follows the mysterious disappearance of 17 students from the same class. The film’s tagline sets an eerie tone, reading: “Last night at 2:17 am, every child from Mrs. Gandy’s class woke up, left their beds, opened the front door, stepped into the darkness… and they were never seen again.

First Impressions of Zack Cregger’s Weapons Is Already Getting High Praise

Anticipation for Zack Cregger’s movie, “Weapons,” is high as its cinema debut nears, and critics on social media are sharing their early thoughts on this chilling horror flick. The responses have been overwhelmingly positive, with one critic describing it as a “horror masterpiece” and the “best film of the year.” This reviewer appreciated the overall suspense and first-person narrative style that “unveils a society with diminishing empathy that accepts inhumane acts.” Another critic found the movie “truly terrifying,” asserting that it cements Zack Cregger as a significant figure in contemporary horror and a master of enigma. They also shared that the film sent a shiver down their spine like no other before.

Another reviewer found Weapons to be “less startling than Barbarian, but superior,” despite a slow initial pace. However, as the movie progressed, it more than made up for it with “massive, impressive, gruesome, unsettling scenes.” PNemiroff’s take was, “WEAPONS is fantastic! If you’re seeking a film that keeps you guessing from beginning to end and repeatedly delivers the unexpected, this is the one.” Nevertheless, the Chief Editor of Next Best Picture noted that the climax detracted slightly from the movie, and they likely won’t be alone in that sentiment. Interestingly, they also agreed with other critics by saying that Weapons was “certainly more ambitious than Barbarian in nearly every aspect.

It appears that the initial reactions towards the upcoming movie titled “Weapons” are incredibly promising. Fingers crossed that when the movie is released to a broader audience, the positive sentiment will persist. If these early impressions hold true and “Weapons” continues to deliver its current level of excitement, this film could easily become one of the best horror movies in 2025, and potentially one of the best films in recent years.

Weapons releases in theaters on August 8.

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2025-07-23 15:34