Weapons stands out as one of the finest horror films in recent times, yet it perpetuates a troubling trend that is undermining contemporary horror cinema. This second terrifying offering from writer/director Zach Cregger expands on the achievements of 2022’s Barbarian, which was a standout film of that year.
Nonetheless, a recurring problem exists in Zach Cregger’s horror films, highlighting a broader issue within the genre. With a plethora of fresh voices emerging in horror, the overall quality of cinematic productions has surged dramatically.
Regrettably, one crucial element of storytelling has been neglected, and almost every recent horror film falls into this trap.
Many Modern Horror Movies Fail To Effectively Conclude Their Narratives
Many contemporary horror films fail to deliver on their initial setups. Weapons skillfully creates suspense by presenting an intriguing mystery and delving into darker themes as the answers unfold.
Yet, once the mystery is unraveled, the film loses it’s way entirely, and the resolution to the central question proves to be a significant disappointment. The film is filled with a great deal of noise and chaos that ultimately serves no purpose, causing what was once a clever movie to feel underdeveloped by the end.
Aunt Gladys, portrayed as a parasitic witch who drains the children’s life force, embodies a classic horror trope. Yet, she takes over the latter half of the film, leaving the other characters to flounder without resolution. Justine and Archer are left without any fulfilling resolutions, as the film spends excessive time concentrating on Gladys.
While the cathartic final scene serves as a powerful conclusion, it comes after a whole act of aimless storytelling. Weapons isn’t the only contemporary horror film that fails to deliver a satisfying conclusion; recent successes like Longlegs have also fallen into this trap.
A captivating premise is wasted by a conclusion that fails to live up to the high standards set earlier. The schemes of the titular serial killer are unsettling and haunting, yet the revelation of the supernatural twist diminishes it’s impact with clichéd concepts. When intriguing questions are raised, the responses should be even more thrilling.
The Barbarian Encountered Similar Problems As The Weapons
Barbarian positioned Zach Cregger as a fresh horror maestro, yet it encountered similar problems as Weapons. This unexpected success served as a masterclass in building tension for the majority of it’s duration, introducing fresh elements that heightened the terror.
Nevertheless, the film abruptly halted it’s momentum, inundating the audience with a lengthy exposition to clarify the monster’s backstory. Rather than integrating the exposition smoothly into the storyline, the script abruptly presents it to the audience just before the final act, leading the film to descend into sheer schlock.
Both Weapons and Barbarian convey much more profound messages, as do many contemporary horror films, yet this does not absolve them of narrative shortcomings. Weapons surpasses and falls short of it’s predecessor, clearly demonstrating Cregger’s growth as a storyteller.
He skillfully intertwines multiple character arcs, yet still faces challenges in providing each with a fulfilling resolution. Nonetheless, both Weapons and Barbarian reveal the filmmaker’s talent for instilling fear in audiences, suggesting that his future is ominously promising.