Missing-Children Mystery: Weapons Hits Horror Bullseye

American writer-director Zach Cregger's creepy offering stars Josh Brolin and Julia Garner

- John Lui

WEAPONS (M18) 128 minutes, opens on Aug 7 ★★★★½

The story: In an ordinary American town, something bizarre has happened. In the middle of one night, 17 children wake up, run out of their homes and disappear. Each one is a student from the class taught by Justine Gandy (Julia Garner). Only she and one student, Alex (Cary Christopher), have not gone missing. Parents like Archer Graff (Josh Brolin) are distraught and desperate for answers.

Weapons' early scenes play out like a psychological drama – the kids vanish overnight, a town is in shock and in mourning, and the audience is introduced to characters dealing with the fallout of the event.