Latest news with #MaybrookMissing.com
Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
'Weapons' 'true story' origins explained by director Zach Cregger
Weapons opens with the line, 'This is a true story,' a statement that has led some viewers to believe the film's events actually happened. While the premise — involving the unexplained disappearance of 17 children from a small town — sounds like a case fit for a true crime documentary, the plot is entirely fictional. The story was shaped by a real event in the life of director Zach Cregger: the sudden death of his best friend, Trevor Moore. Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, Cregger said, 'I had a tragedy in my life that was really, really tough. Someone very, very, very close to me died suddenly and… I just started writing Weapons… as a way to reckon with my own emotions.' Certain chapters of the film are autobiographical, reflecting his own experience of grief. However, the missing children narrative and other plot elements were invented. To promote the film, Warner Bros created the website featuring fictional in-universe news articles, further blurring the line between fact and fiction. In Rolling Stone, Cregger explained that the loss occurred during post-production on his 2022 film Barbarian. 'Like the rest of the world, I don't want to watch another horror movie about grief,' he said, though he admitted the themes of loss became central to Weapons. Conversations with fellow director Ari Aster encouraged him to embrace the personal aspects of the script. The director described Weapons as more inward-looking compared to Barbarian, focusing on his own life and emotions. The opening line, 'This is a true story,' was the first sentence he wrote, using it as a starting point to explore the fictional mystery. While the events of Weapons did not occur, Cregger's personal experiences deeply influenced its emotional core, shaping a narrative that combines fictional horror with real-life inspiration.
Metro
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Horror film with trailer that 'gave viewers nightmares' hosts creepy livestream
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Something strange and 'one-time-only' has arrived from the creators of a horror film dubbed 'nightmarish' just from its trailer. Weapons, directed by Barbarian's Zach Cregger, is set to be released on August 8, and it already has horror fans chomping at the bit. Very little is known about the film, with the release of its incredibly eerie first trailer giving little away apart from terrifying imagery that has seen it called 'the creepiest trailer in years.' The mystery around the film deepened with the release of a sinister website, Maybrook News, teasing details about 17 local children who all left their homes and disappeared at once. This evening, a creepy livestream took place in conjunction with the film, with viewers warned they might want to 'keep the lights on.' An email sent to Bloody Disgusting read: 'On June 23, we invite you to visit for a one-time-only livestream that won't be explained, only experienced.' 'What begins as a cryptic broadcast may become something more. There are rumors of an early glimpse. Of footage. Of something that wasn't meant to be seen yet. 'We won't say much. In fact, we'll say less. But if you've been paying attention, you already know that we will have something special. Be ready. Be curious. And maybe keep the lights on.' In the livestream, for those not brave enough to take it on, unsettling footage showing three unknown figures played on a loop, before the director showcased a new trailer for the upcoming scare-fest. 'I just want to say how very sorry I am…,' Justine Gandy – played by Julia Garner – tells devastated parents at a press conference, shown in the teaser. 'The truth is that I want an answer just as bad as all of you. I love those kids.' While the parents, led by Josh Brolin, demand answers, a voiceover by a young girl teases that there are a lot of deaths on the way. 'This is a true story, it happened right here in my town,' she says. A lot of people die in a lot of really weird ways in this story, but you're not going to find it in the news.' To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The website itself is a goldmine for those excited to watch the film, with eerie clips of 'found footage' relating to the missing children from the film. A message on the homepage reads: 'A chilling mystery has gripped the small town of Maybrook after 17 children voluntarily left their homes Wednesday morning. Authorities are baffled by the inexplicable disappearance, which has shaken the community to its core. 'Upon investigation, front door camera footage showed the children leaving their homes at 2:17am Wednesday morning without any signs of force. Since then, little information has surfaced, and the case continues to baffle investigators. 'In response, a school gathering was held, where growing unease among parents became clear. As the town struggles to understand what happened, officials continue to urge the public for any leads, while Maybrook is left waiting for answers.' There is also a hyperlink over the text 'Underground Prison Found In Rental Home' which takes browsers to another story about 28-year-old Tess Marshall, who was found 'injured and disoriented' outside the 'Barberry Street property.' More Trending It continues that police went to the property for a simple welfare check, but it soon became 'a large-scale crime scene' when a network of hidden tunnels was discovered beneath the home. How this links to the missing children's case on the homepage remains to be seen, and it's all very reminiscent of last year's viral hit Longlegs, but fans have pointed out the image used next to the hyperlink is from Creggers' 2022 smash hit Barbarian. It could mean the films are set in the same universe, and fans don't have long to find out how this mystery plays out. Weapons is released in cinemas on August 8. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Inside Saw's future as '100% dead' horror franchise gets exciting update MORE: What's happening with Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni lawsuit ahead of 'explosive' series? MORE: 28 Years Later ending explained by star, and what it could mean for sequel
The Hindu
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
‘Weapons' teaser: ‘Barbarian' director Zach Cregger reveals next unsettling project
Warner Bros has dropped the first teaser for Weapons, the much-anticipated horror thriller from Barbarian director Zach Cregger. After a wave of excitement at CinemaCon and strong test screenings, the studio moved its release up to August 8, 2025. The teaser gives a first look at Cregger's mysterious new story, centered on the unexplained disappearances of children in the small town of Maybrook. The brief but creepy footage shows pajama-clad kids slipping out of their homes in the dead of night. 'Those kids walked out of those homes—nobody pulled them out,' a voice says ominously, as the screen cuts to disturbing images of children running through darkened streets. Toby Huss appears to lend his voice to the teaser, saying, 'Mr. Graff, I can understand your passion… if it was my child, I'd be demanding answers too.' While the full plot is still under wraps, the teaser, combined with surveillance-style clips previously released online, suggests a tense thriller with supernatural overtones that also made Barbarian a standout. Weapons features a strong ensemble cast including Josh Brolin, Julia Garner, Alden Ehrenreich, Benedict Wong, Amy Madigan, Austin Abrams, and Cary Christopher. Horror fans can also follow the unfolding mystery at where fictional reports hint at a town unraveling after 17 children vanished at precisely 2:17am.
Express Tribune
16-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
'Barbarian' director Zach Cregger sparks shared horror universe rumours with viral campaign for 'Weapons'
Filmmaker Zach Cregger, who gained recognition with his 2022 debut Barbarian, may be developing a shared horror universe with his upcoming film Weapons. The suggestion arises from a new viral marketing campaign launched by Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema. The campaign introduces Weapons through a fictional news site, which presents a mystery involving 17 missing children from the fictional town of Maybrook. According to a featured article, the children left their homes voluntarily in the early hours, baffling authorities and sparking widespread concern. The site subtly connects Weapons to Barbarian through another article referencing the infamous rental property in Detroit's Brightmoor neighbourhood, the central setting of Barbarian. The article identifies the escape of Tess Marshall and the discovery of underground tunnels, directly tying the films together within a shared narrative world. Although neither film serves as a direct sequel to the other, the implication of a connected universe is further reinforced by both stories taking place in Michigan. Cregger, who is also involved in the upcoming Resident Evil film reboot, has not publicly confirmed the universe theory. Weapons stars Pedro Pascal, Josh Brolin, Julia Garner, Alden Ehrenreich, Benedict Wong, Austin Abrams, Amy Madigan, June Diane Raphael, and Luke Speakman. It is scheduled to release in cinemas on August 8, 2025.
