Warner Bros.Kids disappearing, people being possessed, mysterious rituals; Weapons is a small-town American nightmare, but is it demonic? The director has an answer, but it may not be the one you’re hoping for.
Religion is one of the most pervasive links between some of the best horror movies of all time. Sometimes, it’s blatant and one of the film’s driving forces (The Exorcist, The Omen), other times it’s a rich undercurrent (Terrifier 3, The Black Phone).
Viewers have tried to attach religious meaning to Weapons since its first trailer. Specifically, it was widely speculated that the kids vanishing at 2:17am was a reference to a Bible verse, but in the words of director Zach Cregger, “it just had to be some time.”
However, given its unsettling plot and glimpses of people transformed by rage and blood, people are curious (and concerned) about whether or not Weapons is demonic. Unfortunately, it’s just a theory – and that’s by design. Spoilers to follow…
Weapons director addresses if Aunt Gladys is demonic
Warner Bros.Aunt Gladys is the architect of Maybrook’s pain in Weapons. She casts a spell over the kids and summons them to her door and she’s responsible for all of the deaths in the movie. In short, she’s a witch.
The question is, why is she a witch? In fact, there are loads of questions: how long has she been alive, is she actually Alex’s aunt, what’s the deal with that weird tree, and – this is the big one – is there a demonic basis to her abilities?
Don’t expect Cregger to give you any answers about Gladys. “I don’t know the answer, but I love that I don’t know the answer. I don’t need to know the answer. I just need to know that it’s all possible,” he told Vanity Fair.
It’s Schrodinger’s witch: it could be demonic, or it couldn’t be. All answers are correct – which is scarier than just one.
“I presented [actress Amy Madigan] with two options of her origin story. I was like, ‘You can pick one of these two,’” Cregger said.
“They’re very different options. And was like, ‘You don’t have to tell me, but it is either this or that.’ I don’t know which one she picked.
“She had to adopt this methodology that she uses out of a place of emergency to keep herself alive. I won’t say any more than that.”
Cregger did directly address one theory: that Gladys isn’t actually a person at all, she’s just simulating what a human looks like. “That’s an interesting way to think about it. I like that a lot,” he said.
There’s definitely a demonic interpretation of Weapons. Despite Cregger’s comments, 2:17 is a curious choice for the time – especially because Genesis 2:17 says, “You must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.” Gladys doesn’t “eat” from the tree, but she uses it for her evil deeds, and… well, you know what happened.
“Demonic” is inherently religious, but it can be used more broadly to refer to the essence of evil. So, if the mere idea of inhuman possession bothers you, Weapons may get under your skin.
In the meantime, find out about the real-life inspiration behind Weapons and the dark theory that makes Weapons even scarier.
