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Director Zach Cregger discusses Weapons, its unconventional structure, and the mentorship from David Fincher that influenced its editing and style.

Zach Cregger credits Fincher with shaping Weapons and hints at more in the same world

Zach Cregger discusses his sophomore feature Weapons, a horror story about a small town unsettled by a malevolent force. He says the film uses a novelistic structure with several protagonists and never returns to a single point of view, a decision he made early after the cold open with Justine. He cites Magnolia as a tonal touchstone while noting that Weapons will move in its own direction. The cast includes Julia Garner, Alden Ehrenreich, Josh Brolin and Austin Abrams, and the director says humor and gore sit beside a surreal moment involving a floating assault weapon that invites multiple interpretations.

Story and craft intersect as Cregger writes through grief and uses the process to shape the film. He says the road to completion did not erase the sense of loss, but it gave him a healthier way to channel emotion into character action. Fincher’s guidance is a through line in the post production, with lessons on editing, prep, and even lens choices that helped him reframe what the movie could be. He notes he learned a lot about post tools that can elevate the material, including how anamorphic shooting can affect the later stages. He also confirms plans to return to this world someday, even as he heads into directing the upcoming Resident Evil movie and continues to nurture a distinct horror voice.

The choice to tell Weapons from multiple viewpoints signals a broader shift in modern horror toward ensemble storytelling. That requires precise pacing and a disciplined editing hand, traits Fincher is known for and which Cregger says the mentor helped him access. The result could be a blend of tension driven by character choice and humor that arises from the situation rather than from set jokes, a balance that will define how audiences receive the film.

Looking ahead, the idea of a shared world around Weapons raises questions about audience expectations and budget. If the approach translates to future projects or even a cinematic take on a game franchise, it could deepen audience attachment but also raise stakes for scale and consistency. The interview suggests a filmmaker who sees collaboration across genres as a path to growth and a way to push horror toward more ambitious storytelling.

Highlights

The industry will watch how far this method can travel beyond a single film