Weapons — The Genius of Zach Cregger's Screenplay Explained

Weapons Screenplay Breakdown — a look at the various techniques and strategies that make Zach Cregger's Weapons so thrilling and entertaining.

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Chapters:
00:00 - Weapons Introduction
01:17 - Zach Cregger + History of Weapons
02:42 - Chapter 1: Structure
07:21 - Chapter 2: Tone
11:15 - Chapter 3: Theme
14:32 - Takeaways


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WEAPONS EXPLAINED — A SCREENWRITING ANALYSIS

Zach Cregger's Weapons was a huge hit at the box office and became one of the "must-see" movies of the year. Many factors contributed to its success, but most of them ultimately come down to the screenplay. In this video, we're diving into the Weapons screenplay, how it was constructed, and what writers can take away from it.

STRUCTURE

First, let's talk about the script's structure. It is a non-linear, "outside the box" style that enhances both the character development and the themes. In interviews, Cregger talks about how his motivation for this story came out of traumatic experiences in his life, like the death of his close friend. His different emotions in real life are here represented by different characters. We've seen ensemble films before, but this fragmented, non-linear structure allows us to lock into those different perspectives and emotions one at a time. The structure also allows each chapter to answer previously unknown questions, asking new questions that we anticipate being answered later, and ultimately builds anticipation for the resolution.

TONE

Another masterful element in Weapons is the way it shifts tone so suddenly yet naturally. At times, it's suspenseful and gripping, but then punctuated by bits of comic relief before shifting into pointedly dramatic moments. Cregger's secret for navigating these conflicting tones was grounded in authenticity. Characters reacting how real people would actually react, in other words. So, the humor isn't forced and feels organic to the situation.

THEME

Finally, we look at how the themes in the film are handled. The film is full of symbolism and metaphor, but they are all anchored to a core idea of grief. Having the ensemble of characters and non-linear structure might have otherwise created a chaotic experience, but because he's writing from his personal experience, it feels cohesive. The ambiguities in the film, especially tied to the symbolic elements, function to allow the audience to connect themselves to the material. So any confusion or questions we have while watching aligns us with the characters who are also seeking answers.

Overall, a lot can be learned from studying Zach Cregger's Weapons, no matter if you're looking to write a horror film or not. When real emotions are expressed through authentic and grounded characters, the audience will connect and appreciate the experience.


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♬ SONGS USED:

“Beware of Darkness” - George Harrison
“Gotta Get Up” - Harry Nilsson
“Exit Strategy” - Alternate Endings
“Honesickness” - Ryan Holliday, Hays Holliday, Zach Cregger
“Who’s There” - Ryan Holliday, Hays Holliday, Zach Cregger
“Following” - Ryan Holliday, Hays Holliday, Zach Cregger
“Dont You FInd It Odd?” - Ryan Holliday, Hays Holliday, Zach Cregger
“Map” - Ryan Holliday, Hays Holliday, Zach Cregger
“Waiting Game” - Ryan Holliday, Hays Holliday, Zach Cregger
“Stop Right There” - Ryan Holliday, Hays Holliday, Zach Cregger
“Serious Hot Water” - Ryan Holliday, Hays Holliday, Zach Cregger
“James” - Ryan Holliday, Hays Holliday, Zach Cregger
“What Did I Tell You?” - Ryan Holliday, Hays Holliday, Zach Cregger
“Soup” - Ryan Holliday, Hays Holliday, Zach Cregger
“If I Got Better” - Ryan Holliday, Hays Holliday, Zach Cregger

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