WEAPONS : Tuesday 12th August 2025

I saw the MA15+ Rated 'WEAPONS' earlier this week, and this American mystery horror film is Written, Co-Produced, Directed and Co-Scored by Zach Cregger, whose prior feature film making output are 'Miss March' in 2009, 'The Civil War on Drugs' in 2011 and the critically and commercially successful horror thriller 'Barbarian' in 2022. The film was released in the US and here in Australia last week, cost US$38M to produce, has so far grossed US$101M and has garnered universal critical acclaim.

The film opens with a young child narrating the story of how seventeen children from Justine Gandy's (Julia Garner) third grade elementary school class all run from their homes in Maybrook, Pennsylvania and disappear into the night at exactly 2:17 AM. Though only one child, Alex Lilly (Cary Christopher) from the class didn't vanish, Justine herself counts as one of two people from the classroom who didn't, and so a months long Police investigation begins, but to no avail. It is from this point on, that the story gets interesting as the narrator (Scarlett Sher) says. 

Approaching a month after the disappearance of the children, and following a very heated meeting with the school community with all relevant stakeholders including Justine, Principal Marcus Miller (Benedict Wong), and the local law enforcement, Marcus places Justine on compulsory leave, as the local townsfolk and parents of the missing children suspects her involvement in the children's disappearance. 

Depressed and anxious, she turns to vodka and seeks comfort from her ex-boyfriend, local Police Officer Paul Morgan (Alden Ehrenreich). Meanwhile, Archer Graff (Josh Brolin), a local property developer and the father of one of the missing children Matthew (Luke Speakman), struggles with his sons disappearance and, frustrated by the Police's seemingly ineffective investigation and glacial progress, commences his own. 

Concerned about Alex's well-being, Justine seeks authority from Principal Marcus to visit Alex just to check up on him, as a friendly familiar face that he might confide in. Marcus flatly denies her request and tells her to keep well away. However, she follows him home and observes that all of the windows of the house are covered in newspaper. Banging on the door and making her presence known, she creeps around the back of the house, and through a small opening between the sheets of newspaper, sees Alex's parents sitting completely motionless on the couch. She tells Marcus and insists he perform a wellness check. 

Later that night Justine and Archer have separate dreams about the missing children and a strange woman with clown-like make-up. Justine revisits Alex's house to stake it out, but as night time comes falls asleep in her car. Alex’s mother (Callie Schuttera), walking in a stilted manner and carrying a large pair of scissors, exits the house and enters the car through an open back door and cuts off a lock of Justine's hair, and then disappears back inside the house.

James (Austin Abrams), a local homeless drug addict who supports himself by pawning stolen items, breaks into Alex's house in the pouring rain seeking shelter, thinking it is abandoned, where he finds Alex's parents sat on the couch and the missing children in the basement, all in a catatonic state. After spotting a poster for the missing children promising a US$50K cash reward at his local pawn shop, he goes to the Police station to report his findings. However, Paul, who threatened James following an earlier altercation, in which the Police Officer pricked his finger on the needle of a syringe concealed in James's pocket fearing AIDS, hepatitis or some other nefarious virus, spots and chases him. James runs into the woods, where he becomes disoriented and sees the woman from Justine and Archer's nightmares. Paul catches James, who in attempt to gain favour with Paul says he knows where the missing children are located and offers to split the US$50K reward with him. Paul drives to Alex's house to investigate, leaving James handcuffed in the patrol car. Hours later undercover of darkness, Paul returns to the car and drags James into the house kicking and screaming.

Marcus is visited at school by a mysterious heavily made up woman wearing gaudy clothes - Alex's eccentric aunt, Gladys (Amy Madigan), who claims to be the family's caretaker after Alex's parents have fallen ill. Marcus insists he must meet with Alex's parents. The next day, being a Saturday, Gladys appears at Marcus and his husband Terry's (Clayton Farris) home claiming she missed the bus and had to walk all the way to their home and that she is distressed, exhausted and needs to talk to Marcus. She performs a ritual with a stick from a potted tree that she carries around with her, and a lock of hair she cut from Terry's head, and with a small bell hypnotises Marcus into violently killing Terry by head butting him multiple times until his skull caves in. 

She then orders Marcus to kill Justine. Marcus attacks Justine at a petrol station, interrupting an argument between her and Archer, who does what he can to defend Justine. She narrowly escapes in her car, with Marcus frantically running after her. Archer giving chase in his pick-up truck sees Marcus being fatally struck by a car travelling at speed through an intersection killing him outright with his brains spilled out all over the road. That night, Justine and Archer reconcile their differences after coming to the conclusion that the children were running toward Alex's house.

It is subsequently revealed that Gladys is in fact a dying witch posing as Alex's aunt, who can subdue people and weaponise them against others, using personal items from her subjects and a lock of hair from any target of her choice. After entrancing his parents, Gladys ordered Alex to keep her secret and threatened to murder his parents if he disobeyed her, saying that she can turn them against each other, and even make them eat one another if she so chooses. Gladys instructed Alex to gather one item from each of his classmates, and a desperate Alex complied after she promised she would leave once recovered. Using the personalised name tags Alex stole from his classmates' individual storage boxes, Gladys cast a spell on the children, drawing them to Alex's house at 2:17 AM and keeping them in the basement in order to feed off their life-force and extend her own longevity.

After maintaining a kerb side vigil outside Alex's house to see if there are any movements or developments Paul appears at the front door and motions for them to enter. Upon entering to investigate, Justine and Archer are attacked by Paul and James, both now hypnotised. James relentlessly attacks Archer, and Paul has Justine pinned up against a kitchen cupboard with both his hands around her neck. Justine is able to wrest Paul's gun and first shoots him through the throat and then cleanly through the temple killing him outright. James by now has the upper hand over Archer, as Justin appears from behind and unloads a single bullet straight into the back of James head. Searching for Matthew in the basement, Archer encounters Gladys, who enchants him into attacking Justine. 

Chased by his parents, Alex enters Gladys' room and copies her spell using hair from Gladys' wig. The possessed children suddenly chase Gladys out of the house and through the neighbourhood, smashing through windows, doors, fences and upending furniture as they go until they catch, dismember, and decapitate her, breaking the curse and snapping all of her living victims out of their trance. Justine searches through the house for Alex finding him cradling his parents in his arms and Archer follows the trail of destruction left by the rampaging children until he comes to a house, and in the front garden are the children looking down on the blood stained grass and what remains of Gladys. Archer reunites with a seemingly catatonic Matthew. 

The narrator explains that Alex moved out of town to live with a kinder aunt after his parents were institutionalised. The children were all reunited with their parents, though only some have started to speak again.

With 'Weapons' Writer and Director Zach Cregger  has crafted a taught and tight horror offering that proves that he is no one trick pony after the critical and commercial success of 'Barbarian', and at the same time has delivered us one of the best original and inventive films of the genre this year. The film masterfully blends dark humour, with a few jump scares, psychological horror, mystery and a chilling and interesting premise that will keep you fully engaged for its 128 minute running time. And the performances by the principle cast are all top notch, but particularly from Garner, Brolin and young Cary Christopher who all bring a sense of angst and immediacy to their roles. Told in perhaps for the genre, a non-linear fashion, this film sets the standard by which others will be judged, and if you have to see one horror movie this year, make it this one.

'Weapons' merits four claps of the Odeon Online clapperboard from a possible five claps.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

What's new at Odeon's this week : Thursday 7th August 2025

This years 73rd Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) launches on Thursday 7th August and runs through until Sunday 24th August, in Victoria's capital city Melbourne, Australia. MIFF’s 73-year history significantly contributes to Melbourne’s standing as a cultural city. With its ongoing commitment to the collective festival experience being open to all, MIFF has contributed to community and connectedness in Melbourne. Audiences come to MIFF for its bold, diverse and adventurous programming. There is delight in the shared cinema experience and in seeking to discover something new about the self or the world. MIFF is an independent not-for-profit organisation that has been continuously running since 1952, making it the premier film festival in Australia and one of the world’s oldest film festivals, alongside Cannes and Berlin. Presenting a curated global programme of innovative screen experiences and the world’s largest showcase of exceptional Australian filmmaking, MIFF is an accessible, iconic cultural event that provides transformative experiences for audiences and filmmakers alike, so reads the official website.

This years Opening Night Gala film presentation is 'If I Had Legs I'd Kick You' from the USA and this drama film is Written and Directed by Mary Bronstein and starring Rose Byrne (who won the Berlinale Silver Bear for her Best Leading Performance), Conan O’Brien, Danielle Macdonald and A$AP Rocky. With her life crashing down around her, Linda (Rose Byrne) attempts to navigate her child’s mysterious illness, her absent husband, a missing person, and an increasingly hostile relationship with her therapist.

The flagship Bright Horizons Award celebrates filmmakers on the ascent, featuring an extraordinary international line-up of first and second-time filmmakers, chosen from within the Bright Horizons film competition. Awarding A$140K to the winner, it is one of the most substantial film prizes in the world.

There are ten feature films within this section, and they are as follows :-

* 'April' - from France, Italy and Georgia and Written and Directed by Dea Kulumbegashvili. Australian Premiere.

* 'First Light' - from Australia and the Philippines and Written and Directed by James J. Robinson. World Premiere.

* 'If I Had Legs I'd Kick You' - from the USA and Written and Directed by Mary Bronstein. Australian Premiere.

* 'The Mysterious Gaze of the Flamingo' - from Germany, France, Belgium, Spain and Chile and Written and Directed by Diego Cespedes. Australian Premiere.

* 'A Poet' - from Germany, Colombia and Sweden and Written, Co-Produced and Directed by Simon Mesa Soto. Australian Premiere.

* 'Renoir' - from Japan, the Philippines, France, Singapore and Indonesia and Written and Directed by Chie Hayakawa. Australian Premiere.

* 'The Rivals of Amziah King' - from the USA and UK and Directed by Andrew Patterson and starring Matthew McConaughey and Kurt Russell. Australian Premiere.

* 'Sound of Falling' - from Germany and Co-Written and Directed by Mascha Schilinski. Australian Premiere.

* 'Urchin' - from the UK and Written and Directed by Harris Dickinson. Australian Premiere.

* 'A Useful Ghost' - from Thailand and Written and Directed by Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke. Australian Premiere.

For the full synopsis of the above named films in the Bright Horizons Competitive strand, plus the other feature, documentary, animated and short films being showcased at this years Melbourne International Film Festival, plus a whole bunch of other good stuff, you can visit the official website at : https://miff.com.au/

Turning back to this weeks six hot new release movies coming to your local big screen Odeon, we kick off with a mystery horror offering of when all but one child from the same class mysteriously vanish on the same night at exactly the same time, a community is left questioning who or what is the reason for their sudden and unexplained disappearance. This is followed by a sword and sorcery offering telling the story of a young girl who rises from the ashes of tragedy to become the most feared warrior woman of all time - the She-Devil with a Sword. Then we turn to a fantasy comedy film about a mother and daughter who discover that lightning may indeed strike twice as they navigate the myriad challenges that come when two families merge. Next up we have a psychological drama thriller about how after their mother suffers a fatal overdose, two sisters fear that the foster system will separate them and decide to hide the body. And closing out the week we have a pair of doco's - the first takes eight kids on the ultimate school excursion - a road trip across Europe to seek solutions to the climate crisis; and the second reveals a superfan's intensely personal connection to this iconic rapper and that artist's profound influence, while also exploring fandom's power to forge identity and community.

Whatever your taste in big screen film entertainment is this week - be it any of the six latest release new films as Previewed below, or those doing the rounds currently on general release or as Reviewed and Previewed in previous Blog Posts here at Odeon Online, you are most welcome to share your movie going thoughts, opinions and observations by leaving your relevant, succinct and appropriate views in the Comments section below this or any other Post. We'd love to hear from you, and in the meantime, enjoy your big screen Odeon outing during the coming week.

'WEAPONS' (Rated MA15+) - this American mystery horror film is Written, Co-Produced, Directed and Co-Scored by Zach Cregger, whose prior feature film making output are 'Miss March' in 2009, 'The Civil War on Drugs' in 2011 and the critically and commercially successful horror thriller 'Barbarian' in 2022. The film is released in the US from next week, and cost US$38M to produce. 

Seventeen children from Justine Gandy's (Julia Garner) class all leave their homes in Maybrook and disappear at exactly 2:17 AM. Though only one child Alex Lilly (Cary Christopher) from the class didn't vanish, Justine herself counts as one of two people from the classroom who didn't, and so the community is left questioning who or what is behind their disappearance. Justine needless to say becomes the #1 suspect. Also starring Josh Brolin, Alden Ehrenreich, Benedict Wong and Amy Madigan. 

'RED SONJA' (Rated MA15+) - is an American sword and sorcery film Directed by M. J. Bassett whose previous feature film making credits take in her debut in 2002 with 'Deathwatch' followed by the likes of 'Wilderness' in 2006, 'Solomon Kane' in 2009, 'Silent Hill : Revelation' in 2012, 'Inside Man : Most Wanted' in 2019, 'Rogue' in 2020 and 'Endangered Species' in 2021. This film is a reworking of the 1985 film of the same name that starred Brigitte Nielsen (then Mrs. Sylvester Stallone) in the title role. Here then, captured, chained and forced to fight for survival, barbarian huntress Red Sonja (Matilda Lutz) must battle her way through the blood-soaked pits of a tyrant's empire while rallying an army of outcasts to reclaim her freedom and take down Dragan the Magnificent (Robert Sheehan) and his ruthless bride, Dark Annisia (Wallis Day). The film is released in the US on 15th August. 

'FREAKIER FRIDAY' (Rated PG) - this fantasy comedy film is Directed by Nisha Ganatra who saw her feature film Directorial debut with 1999's 'Chutney Popcorn' which she would follow up with 'Fast Food High' in 2003, 'Cake' in 2005, 'Late Night' in 2019 and 'The High Note' in 2020. This film is a sequel to the 2003 film 'Freaky Friday' which grossed US$161M off the back of a US$26M production budget, and is the seventh film in the franchise which began in 1976 with 'Freaky Friday' and starred Jodie Foster and Barbara Harris in the two lead roles in which a mother and her daughter switch their bodies, and they get a taste of each other's lives. Here then, 22 years after Tess Coleman (Jamie Lee Curtis, who also Co-Produces here) and Anna (Lindsay Lohan) endured an identity crisis, Anna now has a daughter and a soon-to-be stepdaughter. As they navigate the challenges that come when two families merge, Tess and Anna discover that lightning might strike twice. The film is released Stateside on 8th August.

'WHAT WE HIDE' (Rated CTC) - is an American psychological drama thriller film Written, Co-Produced and Directed by Dan Kay in only his second feature film outing following 'Way Off Broadway' in 2001. After their mother suffers a fatal overdose, two sisters Spider (Mckenna Grace) and Jessie (Jojo Regina) fear that the foster system will separate them, and decide to hide the body. But with the local sheriff asking questions and their mum's drug dealer lurking, their future becomes uncertain, as their lie may be discovered and they must decide how far they are willing to go to keep their secret. Also starring Dacre Montgomery, Forrest Goodluck and Jesse Williams. The film gets a limited released in the US at the end of this month. 

'FUTURE COUNCIL' (Rated PG) - this Netherlands and Australian documentary film is Written, Co-Produced and Directed by Damon Gameau whose previous feature length doco's are 'That Sugar Film' in 2014 and '2040' in 2019. As millions of children around the world become increasingly frustrated by the dire lack of action to protect the planet and their future, with their only avenue to express these concerns has been protesting on the streets. And so Damon Gameau invites eight passionate, curious, and very funny children on an epic adventure across Europe in a school bus powered by biofuel. Their mission is to better understand the planet’s predicament, explore solutions and, most importantly, take the conversation from the streets, into the boardrooms of some of the world’s most influential companies. This inspiring and rollicking journey results in the children forming a Future Council to advise and collaborate with the world's most powerful companies. It is a coming-of-age journey that dares to imagine a brighter future.

'STANS' (Rated M) - this American documentary film is Co-Produced and Directed by Steven Leckart in his feature length debut. Released in 2000, and now twenty-five years following on from hip-hop icon Eminem’s song 'Stan', about an obsessed fan who takes his admiration for the rapper too far, the landscape of fandom has completely changed. Flipping the music documentary format on its head, Stans follows not just Eminem’s artistic trajectory, but that of his most loyal superfans, with the film offering an entertaining and vibrant look at the modern nature of fandom and how social media has irrevocably changed the relationship between artists and their audience. The film is released worldwide this week at select movie theatres for a limited time only screening.

With six new release movie offerings this week to tempt you out to your local Odeon, remember to share your movie going thoughts with your other like minded cinephile friends afterwards here at Odeon Online. In the meantime, I'll see you sometime somewhere at your local Odeon in the week ahead.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-