"Arms" Previously Dedicated an Entire Section to the Pivotal, Enigmatic Personage
In the chilling new horror film "Weapons", currently playing in theaters, audiences are introduced to Gladys, a sinister witch who uses dark magic to possess and control others. This enigmatic character, played by Amy Madigan, is at the heart of the mystery that unfolds.
Gladys, who appears close to death at the start of the film, is a dying witch who sustains her life by possessing others and feeding on their life force. She moves in with her niece's family—Alex’s family—ostensibly because of a terminal illness. However, her true intentions become clear when she possesses Alex's parents through a ritual involving enchanted objects, a stick from her potted tree, and a drop of her blood, turning them into lifeless husks under her control. This possession rejuvenates her temporarily.
As the energy gained from possessing Alex's parents begins to wane, Gladys escalates her efforts by abducting 17 of Alex’s classmates, using the same magic to hold them captive in her basement as she feeds off their life force to boost her health further. The children become catatonic and lifeless, and even after Gladys loses control, they do not recover fully, indicating lasting damage from the ritual draining their souls or vitality.
Writer-director Zack Cregger spoke about the different ways he approached the reveal of Gladys' character, choosing to keep her backstory ambiguous to maintain mystery. He provided Amy Madigan with a few options for Gladys' backstory, but did not press her to reveal her choices, allowing her to create her own mythology.
Gladys is not a mastermind villain with elaborate goals beyond survival; her abduction of the children is simply a way to increase the effectiveness of her life-stealing magic. Her motivation is largely pragmatic and selfish: she uses witchcraft as a means to extend her life by stealing the vitality of others.
In the end, it is Alex who holds the key to unraveling the mystery and stopping Gladys. The film leaves some questions unanswered, such as the connection between Gladys' goal of extending her life and the kidnapping of the children in Alex's class.
For those interested in learning more about the making of "Weapons", an interview with Zack Cregger can be found on io9's website. The film contains several hidden secrets and reveals, including a reveal that one boy named Alex remained after the disappearance of Ms. Gandy's class.
[1] The film does not provide any information on Gladys' history, including where she learned her witchcraft, how long she has been practicing it, or if there are other witches. [2] Gladys' motivation is largely pragmatic and selfish: she uses witchcraft as a means to extend her life by stealing the vitality of others. [3] She initially possesses Alex’s parents, then abducts his classmates to get more vitality. [4] The victims become soulless husks, and the life force draining leaves permanent damage. [5] Her magic involves possession via enchanted objects tied to a potted tree branch and her blood.
The movie "Weapons" on io9's website offers an interview with director Zack Cregger, delving into the intricacies of the film's making. The film leaves major questions unanswered, such as Gladys' past, the duration of her witchcraft practice, and if there are other witches. [2] The enigmatic character, Gladys, is not a villain with grand schemes; she primarily uses her witchcraft pragmatically to extend her life by stealing others' vitality. [3] This is demonstrated through her initial possession of Alex's parents, followed by the abduction of his classmates. [4] The victims, once possessed, transform into lifeless husks, and the life force drained from them results in permanent damage. [5] Her secretive magic is facilitated through enchanted objects, a potted tree branch, and her own blood.
