‘Weapons’ Director on Mastering Horror, Reinventing Resident Evil — and What Alden Ehrenreich Just Revealed About His MCU Future
Fresh off the disturbing success of Barbarian, writer-director Zach Cregger is back with Weapons, a terrifying and cerebral thriller designed to twist your perception—and your stomach. Starring Alden Ehrenreich, the film takes audiences on a disorienting, deeply personal journey where tension escalates with each new POV shift.
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I caught up with both Cregger and Ehrenreich to discuss crafting dread, reinventing horror tropes, and even dipping into fandom-favorite territory—from Resident Evil to Supernatural.
A New Breed of Terror
“I was ready to be traumatized,” I admitted to Cregger, referencing my fear of Airbnbs since Barbarian. Weapons ratchets up that same psychological discomfort, relying less on jump scares and more on what Cregger calls “slow dread.”
“There’s something about that kind of pacing,” he explained. “You’re locked in with one person, on foot, from point A to point B, and it just keeps getting worse. That’s something the Resident Evil games do incredibly well. It’s a kind of rhythm I’m obsessed with—where the fear creeps in, not crashes down.”
The director isn’t shy about the horror that inspires him, either. “I saw The Shining when I was 12 and that image of the twins—just that stillness—it physically hit me. I’ve been chasing that high ever since.”
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Twists That Linger
Weapons thrives on a fragmented, multi-POV narrative, slowly revealing disturbing truths as it shifts from one character’s experience to the next. It’s this disorientation that makes the film so terrifying.
“There were moments I couldn’t sleep,” I told Cregger. “I was still thinking about the movie hours later.” That, he confirmed, is the goal. “It’s the best thing you can hear as a filmmaker. If it sticks with you, then it worked.”
Reinventing Resident Evil—With Respect
On the horizon, Cregger is helming the next Resident Evil film—and he’s walking a careful line between honoring the games and telling a fresh story.
“I’m not doing Leon’s story,” he confirmed. “That’s already been told beautifully in the games. What I want is to make a movie that feels like playing Resident Evil. Resource management. Isolation. Dread. That rhythm. It’s a love letter to the experience.”
He’s well aware of the fan pressure. “People yell at me online every day—‘Don’t ruin it!’ But I really do love the lore. I’m not trying to break it—I’m trying to celebrate it.”
Alden Ehrenreich: From Supernatural to Something Supernatural
Alden Ehrenreich plays a key role in Weapons, bringing emotional weight to the film’s themes of personal trauma and psychological unraveling.
“When we meet each character, they’re all carrying something heavy,” he said. “But the world doesn’t stop. They have to keep functioning.”
That theme hit home for Ehrenreich personally: “There are so many times in life where you’re expected to show up, to perform, even when everything inside feels broken. Learning how to wear the mask—but also knowing when to take it off—that’s been a big lesson for me.”
Reflecting on Supernatural and Early Career Milestones
Fans of Ehrenreich may remember his early TV role in Supernatural—a surprisingly beloved episode among fans. “That was my first acting job ever,” he said, smiling. “Jared and Jensen were so kind. I had no idea what I was doing, but it was magical being on set for the first time. That kid I was back then would be really proud of everything that’s come since.”
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A Glimpse Into the MCU—and Robert Downey Jr.’s Wisdom
Ehrenreich also briefly touched on his role in Marvel’s Ironheart, where he received advice from none other than Robert Downey Jr.
“He was incredibly generous,” Ehrenreich said. “At his level, many people are understandably guarded. But Robert was just… open. Accessible. Watching him navigate all that attention while still being present with everyone around him—that left a big impression.”
While Ehrenreich wouldn’t confirm where his character may head next in the MCU, he admitted, “They’ve left it very open-ended. It could go in a few directions—and I’d love to explore them.”
For both Cregger and Ehrenreich, Weapons marks a chilling next step in their respective journeys. It’s a film that challenges audiences not just with gore or screams—but with lingering dread, psychological depth, and deeply human performances.
So, if you think you’ve seen all horror has to offer—Weapons just might surprise you.
