After experiencing Zach Cregger’s Weapons, there’s an exhilarating whirlwind of thoughts that might rush through your mind—characters, plot twists, and spine-tingling scares. But above all, the image of children running through various landscapes will likely stick with you. Kids darting through streets, racing through woods, and chasing something far more sinister. In her first interview about the film, actress Amy Madigan reveals intriguing insights into her memorable role, particularly her character’s climactic scene.
Madigan embodies Aunt Gladys, the quirky witch relative of Alex, the lone survivor from her school. As the story unfolds, Alex confronts the reality of his classmates vanishing, eventually discovering that it’s Gladys behind it all. In a surprising twist towards the film’s climax, he cleverly uses her own magic against her, summoning the other children to chase her in a comically chaotic yet gory finale.
In an engaging conversation with Entertainment Weekly, Madigan humorously shared her experience during those adrenaline-pumping scenes. “I thought, ‘Oh no, I’m going to be the one running,’ except for the moment I get tackled at the end,” recounted the Field of Dreams actress. “Thankfully, a stunt woman stepped in and took the hit. Then, I had to roll over and get eviscerated. Zach would direct me to act as if I was panicked and flailing around. That’s all I needed to hear—I thrive on physical acting.”
So, if you see frantic running, intense screaming, and flailing bodies on the screen, that’s all Madigan’s doing—except for the tackling part!
When reflecting on her character’s backstory or motivations, she was a bit coy. “I pulled from various inspirations, but I wouldn’t pinpoint any single source. People often ask if she’s real or something else, and I say, ‘Good question—you figure it out because I can’t!’” said Madigan, keeping the mystery alive.
Madigan also touched on the concept of a potential prequel centered around Aunt Gladys. Although she remains skeptical about its feasibility, she’s clearly intrigued. “I’m not dismissing the idea, but in this industry, nothing is set until it is,” she explained. “Working with Zach was a wonderful experience, tapping into his creative mind contributed significantly to the film’s essence. What happens next is an entirely different conversation.”
Here’s hoping we get more revelations about Gladys in the future. Weapons is currently gracing theaters near you.
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