Weapons (2025)

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 behind their disappearance.

2:17's Significance: The recurring time stamp of 2:17 AM, when the children vanish, is a direct nod to Stephen King's The Shining. In the novel, room 217 is the haunted room. Director Zach Cregger chose this as an homage to the master of horror.
Trevor Moore Tribute: Director Zach Cregger wrote Weapons to process the death of his close friend, Trevor Moore. The movie includes a reference to one of their older comedy sketches from The Whitest Kids U' Know. Principal Marcus and his husband prepare a feast featuring seven hot dogs, which fans found oddly specific.
Floating AR-15 Dream: In one of the film's most surreal images, Archer dreams of a giant assault weapon floating over a house. Cregger calls the moment "very important" but admits he doesn't fully understand it, leaving the scene open to interpretation. The AR-15 specifically appears because it's the weapon most commonly used in mass shootings.
Barbarian Easter Egg: Zach Cregger's wife, Sara Paxton, who appeared in Barbarian, makes a cameo as Erica, the grieving mother of a missing child. Also, the marketing website for Weapons included a fictional news article referencing the events of the Airbnb in Barbarian, connecting the two worlds.
Gladys's Peacock Wardrobe: Costume designer Trish Summerville dressed Gladys in colorful ensembles, describing her as a peacock. The intention was to create a slightly "off" aesthetic, hinting at the character's predatory nature. Special effects were used to create Gladys's birdlike eyes and small, beady teeth.