Director Zach Cregger’s follow-up to the acclaimed Barbarian doesn’t disappoint. Weapons has captivated audiences worldwide with its chilling premise: seventeen children vanish from a single classroom on the same night. With a stellar ensemble cast and $267 million box office haul against a $38 million budget, this supernatural mystery proves that smart horror still thrills.
Opening in theaters on August 8, 2025, Weapons sparked such intense studio interest that New Line Cinema won a bidding war to secure distribution rights. Let’s dive into the talented cast bringing this terrifying story to life.
Table of Contents
Weapons (2025) Cast Overview
| Actor | Character | Notable Works |
|---|---|---|
| Josh Brolin | Archer | Avengers, Dune, No Country for Old Men |
| Julia Garner | Justine Gandy | Ozark, Inventing Anna, Wolf Man |
| Alden Ehrenreich | Paul | Solo: A Star Wars Story, Fair Play |
| Austin Abrams | James | Euphoria, The Walking Dead |
| Benedict Wong | Marcus | Doctor Strange, 3 Body Problem |
| Amy Madigan | Gladys | Field of Dreams, Gone Baby Gone |
Josh Brolin as Archer: The Hero Leading the Investigation
Josh Brolin anchors Weapons as Archer, the protagonist determined to uncover the truth behind the children’s disappearance. The son of actor James Brolin, Josh launched his career with The Goonies (1985) before evolving into one of Hollywood’s most versatile actors.
His Oscar-nominated performance in Milk (2008) showcased his dramatic range, while roles in No Country for Old Men and Sicario demonstrated his ability to inhabit morally complex characters. Blockbuster audiences know him as Thanos in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Gurney Halleck in Denis Villeneuve’s Dune series.
In Weapons, Brolin brings gravitas and emotional depth to Archer, anchoring the supernatural elements with grounded humanity.
Julia Garner as Justine Gandy: The Teacher at the Heart of Mystery
Three-time Emmy winner Julia Garner delivers a haunting performance as Justine Gandy, the elementary school teacher whose students mysteriously vanish. Her portrayal forms the emotional core of Weapons, capturing a woman’s descent into grief and determination.
Garner earned critical acclaim for playing Ruth Langmore in Netflix’s Ozark (2017-2022), winning three consecutive Emmy Awards. Her transformative performance as con artist Anna Sorokin in Inventing Anna (2022) proved her chameleon-like abilities.
Recent work includes The Assistant (2019), The Royal Hotel (2023), and Wolf Man (2025). In Weapons, she navigates supernatural terror with raw vulnerability that keeps audiences invested.
Explore more about breakout performances in our entertainment coverage.
Alden Ehrenreich as Paul: The Ex-Boyfriend Cop
Alden Ehrenreich plays Paul, a local police officer and Justine’s ex-boyfriend, whose investigation becomes personally entangled with the case. Ehrenreich first gained attention in the Coen Brothers’ Hail, Caesar! (2016) before landing the coveted role of young Han Solo in Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018).
His diverse filmography includes Cocaine Bear (2023), Fair Play (2023), and a supporting role in Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer (2023). Most recently, he appeared as Zeke Stane in Marvel’s Ironheart series.
In Weapons, Ehrenreich balances professional duty with personal connection, adding complexity to the investigation’s emotional stakes.
Austin Abrams as James: The Troubled Witness
Austin Abrams portrays James, a homeless drug addict whose backstory intertwines mysteriously with the children’s disappearance. Known for playing vulnerable, complex young men, Abrams has built an impressive resume across television and film.
He appeared in The Walking Dead (2015-2016), This Is Us (2019-2021), and HBO’s Euphoria (2019-present). His film credits include Paper Towns (2015), Chemical Hearts (2020), and Do Revenge (2022). His performance in The Line (2023) earned him the Rising Star Award at the Sarasota Film Festival.
Abrams brings empathy to a character who could easily become one-dimensional, making James’s connection to the supernatural events both tragic and compelling.
Benedict Wong as Marcus: The Compassionate Principal
Benedict Wong plays Marcus, the school principal emotionally invested in finding his missing students. Best known worldwide as Wong in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Doctor Strange films, Benedict Wong has become a scene-stealing presence in major franchises.
Starting on British stages, Wong gained attention through Dirty Pretty Things (2002) and Sunshine (2007). His recent work includes The Martian (2015), the critically acclaimed Nine Days (2020), and Netflix’s sci-fi epic 3 Body Problem (2024).
In Weapons, Marcus represents institutional authority struggling against incomprehensible evil, with Wong bringing warmth and determination to the role.
Amy Madigan as Gladys: The Veteran Actress’s Comeback
Oscar-nominated actress Amy Madigan plays Gladys, the elderly aunt of central character Alex. With nominations for Field of Dreams, Pollock, and Gone Baby Gone, Madigan has long been respected for bringing authenticity to supporting roles.
Her television work includes Roe vs. Wade (1989) and HBO’s Carnivàle (2003-2005). Critics have described Weapons as a career resurgence for Madigan, whose limited screen time leaves a lasting impression.
For more on veteran actors making powerful comebacks, visit our film analysis section.
Supporting Cast: Rounding Out the Ensemble
Weapons features a talented supporting cast including:
- Cary Christopher as Alex
- Toby Huss as Ed
- Sara Paxton as Erica
- Justin Long as Gary
- June Diane Raphael as Donna
- Whitmer Thomas and Callie Schuttera as Alex’s parents
Each actor contributes to the film’s unsettling atmosphere, creating a community devastated by inexplicable tragedy.
Stream Weapons Today
Ready to experience this supernatural thriller? Weapons is available to rent on Amazon Prime Video, bringing Zach Cregger’s terrifying vision directly to your home.
Check out our latest movie reviews for more horror recommendations and behind-the-scenes coverage.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Weapons (2025) connected to Barbarian?
No, Weapons is not a sequel or connected to Zach Cregger’s 2022 film Barbarian, despite both being horror films from the same director. While Barbarian focused on a single location with escalating terror, Weapons takes a wider approach to supernatural mystery involving an entire community. The success of Barbarian ($45 million box office on a $4.5 million budget) sparked the bidding war for Weapons, with studios eager to work with Cregger again. Both films share his talent for subverting horror expectations and building tension through character development.
Q: What makes the cast of Weapons stand out from typical horror films?
Weapons features an unusually prestigious cast for the horror genre, led by Oscar-nominated Josh Brolin and three-time Emmy winner Julia Garner. Rather than relying on unknown actors (common in horror), the film assembled performers with proven dramatic credentials from prestige television (Ozark, The Walking Dead, Euphoria) and major franchises (Marvel, Star Wars, Dune). This casting approach elevates the material, bringing emotional depth and credibility to supernatural events. The ensemble’s chemistry and individual performances transform what could have been standard horror fare into a character-driven mystery with genuine emotional stakes.
