One of 2025’s most commercially successful and artistically accomplished horror films has found its way to Indian streaming audiences. “Weapons,” directed by rising horror auteur Zach Cregger and featuring stellar work from Julia Garner and Josh Brolin, is now available on JioHotstar, giving viewers who missed its theatrical run the opportunity to experience the film that generated $269 million at the global box office and became a defining entry in contemporary horror cinema.
The streaming service’s announcement via Instagram has reignited interest in this atmospheric thriller. JioHotstar’s promotional post, which included gripping footage from the film, teased the mystery at its core with the caption: “Everyone’s looking for answers while evil lurks in the town of Maybrook.” This digital release ensures that the film’s impact extends beyond its impressive theatrical performance and reaches an even wider audience hungry for sophisticated horror storytelling.
The genius of “Weapons” lies in its deceptively simple yet terrifying premise. In the town of Maybrook, seventeen children vanish on the same night, leaving their beds to disappear into darkness. This simultaneous disappearance—occurring without warning, explanation, or witnesses—creates a mystery that defies rational explanation and sends the community spiraling into paranoia. Cregger uses this setup not just for scares but as a lens to examine how quickly civilization’s veneer can crack under pressure.
Julia Garner delivers what many critics are calling a career-defining performance as the school teacher who becomes the focal point of the town’s anger and suspicion. Her ability to convey vulnerability, strength, and mounting terror makes her character the emotional anchor of the film. The ensemble surrounding her—including Josh Brolin, Austin Abrams, Cary Christopher, Benedict Wong, and Amy Madigan—creates a rich tapestry of characters, each responding to the tragedy in ways that feel authentic and human.
The production history of “Weapons” adds another layer of intrigue to its success. In January 2023, the project sparked an intense bidding war, with New Line Cinema ultimately paying $38 million to secure it—$7 million more than Universal’s competing offer backed by acclaimed director Jordan Peele. This substantial investment demonstrated industry confidence in Cregger’s vision, confidence that was rewarded when the film became 2025’s second-highest-grossing horror release with $269 million worldwide, surpassed only by Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners” at $366.7 million. The film’s critical and commercial success has established Cregger as one of horror’s most exciting new voices.