Weapons Debuts With $42.5M Amid Controversy Over Trope

The mystery-horror film "Weapons," directed by Zach Cregger, opened at the top of the North American box office with $42.5 million, praised for its shocking twists, evocative themes, and skillfully deployed scares. The story unfolds through multiple character perspectives, centered on the mysterious disappearance of a group of children from the same school class, with a haunting metaphor involving the children being "weaponized." Despite its success and critical acclaim, the film has faced criticism for its use of the "bury your gays" trope, as the two most graphic and violent death scenes involve the film’s only openly gay characters, Marcus Miller and his husband Terry, whose brutal fates have sparked concerns about reinforcing harmful media patterns. While the film itself is not labeled homophobic, this portrayal continues a longstanding trend where LGBTQ+ characters often endure disproportionate tragedy compared to their straight counterparts. The film stars Julia Garner, Josh Brolin, Benedict Wong, and others, and its layered narrative and intense horror elements have made it a standout in the genre.