Last Podcast on the Left — "Weapons: An Interview with Zach Cregger"

Date: August 18, 2025
Hosts: Henry Zebrowski & Eddie (The Last Podcast Network)
Guest: Zach Cregger (writer/director, "Weapons," "Barbarian," and "Whitest Kids U Know")

Episode Overview

In this engaging episode, Henry and Eddie sit down with filmmaker Zach Cregger to delve into his latest horror movie "Weapons," his creative process, inspirations, and the evolving relationship between comedy and horror. The conversation is an energetic mix of humor, insights about filmmaking, personal stories, and mutual admiration. Zach reveals both his artistic philosophies and behind-the-scenes anecdotes, making the episode a must-listen for horror and film fans alike.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Origins and Connections Between Comedy and Horror

• Zach’s sketch comedy roots with "Whitest Kids U Know" and connections to Henry’s own comedy background are explored.
• The hosts discuss how the mental “muscle” of pushing boundaries in comedy translates to horror, and how both genres thrive on timing and visceral reactions.
  • Quote:
    “All the brainstorming that we would do to sit down and…think of like, what’s an extreme situation? …So I think, like, if there’s a mental gym, I was working out the muscle group that was like, how far can I go?”
    (Zach, 05:49)

2. Horror and Comedy: Where They Collide

• Modern recognition of the comedy-horror connection (e.g., Jordan Peele) is dissected.
• Discussion of how horror and comedy are both about subverting expectations.
• Zach talks about the importance of not just having scares in horror movies, but also a compelling story.
  • Quote:
    “If you watch a horror movie and you’re never actually scared, but it’s telling a great story, it doesn’t mean it’s a bad movie — it just means it’s probably not really a horror movie.”
    (Zach, 06:49)

3. Influences and Inspirations

• The influence of films like “Exorcist 3,” “The Conjuring,” and “Insidious” on “Weapons,” particularly in crafting jump scares.

  • Zach’s admiration for classic horror techniques and set pieces.
  • Quote:
    “For my money, in the top five of all time is the hallway crash zoom on that fucking lady with the scissors [in Exorcist 3]. The hair on my neck is standing up right now…”
    (Zach, 10:11)

• Stephen King’s influence is acknowledged as “baked in” for any American horror creator.

  • Quote:
    “It’s like the Beatles. …I’d be a total liar if I was like, no, man, there’s no Stephen King in this…”
    (Zach, 24:53)

4. Weapons — Writing Process & Themes

• Zach’s stream-of-consciousness writing, avoiding outlines and allowing themes to emerge intuitively.

• “Weapons” draws on personal experiences, especially family addiction, though Zach emphasizes the film is a "diary entry," not a treatise.

  • Quote:
    “Gladys and Alex chapter to me is just about living with an alcoholic parent. …Something came into my house and it turned my dad into a scary person…That’s a really personal connection.”
    (Zach, 12:32)

• Symbolism and unanswered questions (e.g., the AK-47) are left open by design, in the tradition of David Lynch.

  • Quote:
    “If I gave you the answer, I would be robbing something precious.”
    (Zach, 15:03)

5. Transcendental Meditation & Creative Freedom

• Zach incorporates transcendental meditation into his process, citing David Lynch’s "Catching the Big Fish" as a creative influence.
• He allows for elements he doesn’t fully understand to enter his stories, trusting they will reveal meaning over time.
  • Quote:
    “There’s things that come into my writing that I don’t quite get, but I love them. And sometimes…a couple of years go by and then I actually realize what it means.”
    (Zach, 15:33)

6. From Indie Filmmaking to Big IP

• Zach is currently in Prague filming the new "Resident Evil" film, enjoying the same creative control as with his independent films.
• The script for "Resident Evil" was written for fun, with a playful, careless approach (i.e., without pressure), which Zach believes unlocks creative potential.
  • Quote:
    “If you’re able to get yourself in a position where you can write from a place of joy and of fun and of carelessness, then that’s when the best stuff comes out.”
    (Zach, 19:40)

7. Personal Passions & Process

• Zach is an avid gamer, carrying his PS5 on shoots and replaying "Resident Evil 4" countless times.
• The music of “Weapons” was scored with his childhood friends, intertwining the edit and score process, which produced a unique soundscape crucial to the film’s atmosphere.
  • Quote:
    "We scored the movie before I even shot it... So when I was shooting, I kinda had an idea of how it was gonna feel, which was really helpful."
    (Zach, 26:41)

8. Behind the Scenes — Practical FX & World-Building

• The infamous eye-bulging scene with Benedict Wong was achieved with CGI face scanning and digital manipulation.
• Magical rituals in the film were invented with a mix of real folklore and creative invention.
• Gladys’s look was inspired by Twin Peaks, Cindy Sherman’s photography, and Boca Raton retirees.

9. Meaning, Misdirection, and Audience Engagement

• Zach embraces misdirection and open-endedness; not every thread has a neatly tied resolution, and that's intentional.
• Hosts note the movie’s ability to make a diverse audience focus and react — even distracting horny/drunk teens.
  • Memorable Moment:
    “We were sitting next to two teenagers trying to have sex… They stopped to watch the movie!”
    (Henry, 29:06)

10. On Movie Stars & Production

• Josh Brolin’s presence as both actor and producer is discussed with awe and humor.

  • Quote:
    “Every angle, there’s just something that you’re interested in… you can’t quite figure it out, but you’re just drawn in.”
    (Zach, 39:41)

• The "producer" credit for actors is parodied as sometimes just honorary — “like they just gave me a sash.”

Notable Quotes & Standout Moments

• On Creative Process:
  “The best stuff comes out when it’s careless… You can always edit that. Like, Kurt Vonnegut… says, write three sentences and know you’re going to burn the paper, and I promise you’ll fall in love with what you write.”
  (Zach, 19:38)

• On Allegory & Interpretation:
  “Some things in this movie, I don’t know why they’re in the movie. …Maybe I love them because I don’t quite get them.”
  (Zach, 15:33)

• On Gladys's Look:
  “Her look is based off of… the woman on the tarmac in Twin Peaks Fire Walk with Me… and [photographer] Cindy Sherman… and Boca Raton old retiree fashion sense.”
  (Zach, 33:15)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Opening Banter & Zach’s Introduction — 01:14–03:04
• Comedy & Horror Intersections — 05:11–06:49
• Jump Scares and Influences — 09:36–11:55
• Personal Themes in Weapons — 11:56–14:40
• Transcendental Meditation & Creative Intuition — 15:33–17:39
• Resident Evil Process & Creative Freedom — 17:39–20:48
• Video Games & Passions — 21:02–21:36
• Choosing & Scoring Music — 25:19–27:58
• Visual & Practical FX in Weapons — 29:28–30:32
• Magic & Rituals in the Film — 30:32–32:31
• Gladys's Visuals and Inspiration — 33:10–34:47
• Working with Josh Brolin — 38:06–39:53
• Final Reflections & Closing Appreciation — 41:32–43:00

Tone & Style

The dialogue is freewheeling, enthusiastic, and irreverent, filled with inside jokes, sincere admiration, and a willingness to probe both technical and emotional sides of filmmaking. Zach’s affable, deeply thoughtful style meshes well with the hosts’ energetic, comedic approach, making for a lively and illuminating listen.

Suggested Listening

"Weapons" is highly recommended — hosts and guest agree it is best experienced in a packed theater with a lively crowd. If you're interested in the creative fusion of horror, comedy, and personal storytelling, this episode offers both wisdom and hilarious moments in abundance.