In ‘Weapons’, the kids aren't at all right, not in the slightest, nope

By Glen Weldon,

Linda Holmes, Jordan Crucchiola, Carly Rubin, Janae Morris, Mike Katzif, Jessica Reedy

Published August 11, 2025 at 8:18 AM EDT

Julia Garner in Weapons. — Julia Garner in *Weapons*.

The intriguing and seriously creepy new film Weapons follows what happens after 17 third graders get out of their beds on the same night, at the same time, and disappear. The community points fingers at the students' teacher, played by Julia Garner. The latest film from Zach Cregger (Barbarian), Weapons explores why one student was spared that fateful night. There's a clear answer – but we guarantee it's not one you'll see coming.

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Glen Weldon

Glen Weldon is a host of NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour podcast. He reviews books, movies, comics and more for the NPR Arts Desk.

See stories by Glen Weldon

Linda Holmes

Linda Holmes is a pop culture correspondent for NPR and the host of Pop Culture Happy Hour. She began her professional life as an attorney. In time, however, her affection for writing, popular culture, and the online universe eclipsed her legal ambitions. She shoved her law degree in the back of the closet, gave its living room space to DVD sets of The Wire, and never looked back.

See stories by Linda Holmes

Jordan Crucchiola

Carly Rubin

Janae Morris

Mike Katzif

Jessica Reedy

See stories by Jessica Reedy

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