The horror genre received one of its finest contributions in years with “Weapons,” and now this Zach Cregger-directed masterwork is available for Indian audiences on JioHotstar. Featuring commanding performances from Josh Brolin and Julia Garner, the film exceeded all commercial expectations during its theatrical release, grossing over $269 million worldwide and establishing itself as one of 2025’s most successful and discussed cinematic experiences.
The film’s arrival on India’s streaming landscape comes at a perfect time for genre enthusiasts seeking quality horror content. JioHotstar made the announcement through their Instagram channel, sharing tantalizing footage that captures the film’s ominous atmosphere. The accompanying message—”Everyone’s looking for answers while evil lurks in the town of Maybrook”—perfectly summarizes the paranoid tension that drives this psychological thriller from its opening moments to its shocking conclusion.
“Weapons” constructs its horror around a premise that taps into universal parental nightmares. On an unremarkable Wednesday in Maybrook, seventeen children wake from their sleep and walk into the night, compelled by forces unknown. They never return, leaving behind a community devastated by loss and desperate for explanations. This setup allows Cregger to explore how fear and grief can poison a community, turning neighbors against one another in their search for someone to blame.
The heart of the film lies in Julia Garner’s exceptional portrayal of a school teacher who becomes the unlikely center of the investigation and subsequent witch hunt. Her performance captures the terror of being accused without evidence and the psychological toll of living under constant suspicion. Josh Brolin leads a strong supporting cast that includes Austin Abrams, Cary Christopher, Benedict Wong, and Amy Madigan, all of whom contribute to creating a believable portrait of a community in crisis.
From a business perspective, “Weapons” represents a remarkable success story in an industry often skeptical of original horror properties. The $38 million that New Line Cinema paid to acquire the project in 2023—outbidding Universal and denying Jordan Peele the opportunity to produce—seemed ambitious at the time. However, the film’s $269 million worldwide gross validated that investment and demonstrated the continued audience appetite for well-crafted horror narratives. Though it finished as 2025’s second-highest-grossing horror film behind Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners” ($366.7 million), “Weapons” has secured its place as a significant cultural touchstone.