Pop Culture Happy Hour Episode Summary: "Weapons"
Release Date: August 11, 2025
Podcast: Pop Culture Happy Hour
Hosts: Linda Holmes, Glen Weldon, Stephen Thompson, and Aisha Harris
Guest: Jordan Cruciola
Introduction to "Weapons"
In this episode of Pop Culture Happy Hour, hosts Linda Holmes and Glen Weldon delve into the intricacies of the new horror film "Weapons", directed by Zach Kreger, known for his previous work on "Barbarian". Joined by writer and producer Jordan Cruciola, the discussion offers a comprehensive analysis of the film's themes, performances, and stylistic choices.
Movie Overview and Plot
"Weapons" is set in the suburban town of Maybrook, where 17 children mysteriously disappear simultaneously from their homes. The film explores the ensuing chaos and suspicion within the community, particularly focusing on Ms. Gandy, their teacher, portrayed by Julia Garner. Josh Brolin plays Archer, a parent convinced that Ms. Gandy is hiding vital information about the disappearance. Carrie Christopher stars as Alex, the sole child from Ms. Gandy's class who remains, raising questions about his survival.
Glen Weldon introduces the film by highlighting its enigmatic nature:
"[00:33] Linda Holmes: The film follows what happens after 17 children get out of their beds on the same night at the same time and disappear into the suburban night. The community is left asking why? And pointing fingers."
Acting and Performances
The hosts commend the film's stellar cast, emphasizing Julia Garner's compelling portrayal of Ms. Gandy. Linda Holmes praises the performances:
"[03:57] Linda Holmes: I think the performances are so good. I think they're using really sturdy actors here. Julia Garner, Josh Brolin, Alden Ehrenreich, et cetera."
Jordan Cruciola echoes this sentiment, highlighting the depth some actors bring to their roles:
"[14:46] Linda Holmes: Yeah. I thought she was by far the best thing about Ozark and the best thing about Wolfman, the one they made with Christopher Abbott, which I didn't think was that good, but she was good in it."
Directing and Cinematography
Zach Kreger's direction and the film's visual aesthetics receive high praise. Glenn Weldon lauds the director of photography, Larkin Seiple, for creating a haunting portrayal of suburban landscapes at night:
"[07:00] Glenn Weldon: ... Larkin Seiple, who he makes the suburbs at night look as scary as they are. This is it. Beautiful, mysterious, but also ugly and depressing all at once, all at the same time."
Linda Holmes adds appreciation for the film's inventive camera work and use of perspective:
"[07:58] Linda Holmes: ... a lot of incredible POV work, I think, in the way that they... Especially with Ms. Gandy, Justine, you see a lot of shots of kind of parts of her body. She's cut off in different ways."
Themes and Symbolism
The film intricately weaves themes of community distrust, isolation, and the aftermath of trauma. The hosts discuss how "Weapons" subtly references real-world issues like school shootings and the lingering effects of the pandemic:
"[19:11] Linda Holmes: ... It recalls school shootings in a way. It recalls post pandemic in a way. Or post lockdown part of the pandemic because everybody is so isolated and distrustful and traumatized and not entirely able to articulate that."
Genre and Tone: Horror vs. Horror Comedy
A significant portion of the discussion centers on "Weapons"'s balance between horror and comedic elements. Jordan Cruciola differentiates between outright horror comedies and horror films that incorporate humorous moments:
"[16:36] Jordan Cruciola: ... horror is Comedy now, drama is comedy now. ... but what I loved so much about how funny this movie was is that this movie does not market how funny some of the bits are within it at all."
Linda Holmes concurs, emphasizing the film's ability to maintain tension while introducing unexpected humor:
"[18:40] Linda Holmes: ... the trailer absolutely gave me the right sense of what the movie was gonna feel like. ... was going on, I was like, I have no idea whether they're ever going to care in this movie."
Marketing and Trailers
The hosts commend the film's marketing strategy for accurately setting audience expectations without revealing key plot points. Jordan Cruciola praises the trailer's effectiveness in conveying the film's tone without misleading viewers:
"[17:00] Jordan Cruciola: ... this movie does not market how funny some of the bits are within it at all. And that you do not show up and think, this isn't what I bought."
Societal References and Relevance
"Weapons" serves as a reflection of contemporary societal anxieties, particularly focusing on the fragmentation of communities and the pervasive sense of isolation. The discussion touches upon how the film mirrors real-life events and the collective trauma experienced by society:
"[20:26] Jordan Cruciola: ... the contained explosion aspect of not everybody in this town is out searching for these kids. ... They are simply alone and nobody is."
Final Impressions and Recommendations
The consensus among the hosts and guest is overwhelmingly positive. Linda Holmes expresses her emotional response to the film, while Glenn Weldon appreciates the film’s confident narrative structure:
"[21:43] Glenn Weldon: Well, that's it. You heard us. We all kind of loved it."
Jordan Cruciola highlights the film as a testament to the evolution of horror cinema, praising its originality and artistic ambition:
"[13:00] Jordan Cruciola: ... horror movie with some very funny bits ... it feels like a horror movie that is doing an expert job calibrating those tension valves, which is what the genre is."
The hosts unanimously recommend experiencing "Weapons" in a theater for its immersive impact, concluding that it stands out as a significant entry in contemporary horror.
Notable Quotes
- Linda Holmes ([03:57]): "I think the performances are so good. I think they're using really sturdy actors here."
- Jordan Cruciola ([16:36]): "Comedy is actually becoming like a throughline DNA of what Blumhouse puts out..."
- Glenn Weldon ([07:00]): "Larkin Seiple... makes the suburbs at night look as scary as they are."
- Linda Holmes ([07:58]): "There is some jump scare stuff in this movie for sure."
Recommendations
For fans of horror that blend suspense with nuanced character portrayals and subtle humor, "Weapons" is a must-watch. Its innovative storytelling and strong performances make it a standout film worth discussing.
This summary captures the essence of the "Weapons" discussion on Pop Culture Happy Hour, providing insights and perspectives for both fans and newcomers to the podcast.