Josh Brolin Shares His Experience Shooting His “WTF?” Moment in WEAPONS
What I love about humor in horror films is that a good laugh can set you up for a solid scare or give you a breather after an intense sequence. That’s exactly what writer and director Zach Cregger pulled off in his latest film Weapons, and one of the best moments is Josh Brolin’s confused, groggy “What the f*ck?!”.
When Weapons hit theaters earlier this summer, the crowd reaction to Brolin’s delivery was explosive. It's that rare moment where the timing, tone, and absurdity align so perfectly that it becomes unforgettable. In fact, none other than David Fincher called it “the greatest line in R-rated history.”
The scene plays out right after Brolin’s character wakes from a terrifying nightmare, and his exhausted expletive delivers a perfectly timed shock of laughter that cuts through the tension.
But as funny and spontaneous as it feels on screen, it turns out that moment was the product of several takes. Brolin talked about his experience shooting this scene, saying:
“I’m glad that he chose the one that he chose. We laughed every time we did it… You try different ones and he would, again, he gets in there and he tweaks things and he's like, you know, when I think maybe it's the right one...
“But I've been around long enough to know that the right one is never necessarily the right one. Something that feels the best may not be right tonally for him in the editing room. So we did, I don't know, maybe we did six of 'em. Five of 'em. Six of 'em. I like the one that he chose though. It's just off enough…”
That’s what makes the behind-the-scenes process so cool. Directors like Cregger aren’t just chasing the “best” take. They’re looking for options and what works on set doesn’t always play the same once everything’s cut together. And Brolin’s “just off enough” version is a perfect example of that instinct paying off.
There’s a common assumption that directors who demand multiple takes are indecisive, but this moment proves it’s more nuanced. The rhythm and tone of a scene can shift dramatically once music, pacing, and surrounding performances come into play.
A performance that felt perfect during filming might not hit the same once it's pieced into the bigger picture. That’s why moments like this are so valuable, they show how editing and performance work together to make movie magic.
Also, I think we the studio needs to released a special feature featuring every version of Brolin yelling “What the f*ck?!”?
Weapons is still going strong, and it’s turned into one of the most talked-about films of the summer, driven by sharp direction, killer tonal balance, and a great cast that includes Julia Garner, Alden Ehrenreich, Austin Abrams, Benedict Wong, Cary Christopher, and Amy Madigan.
If you haven’t seen it yet, do yourself a favor and catch it in a packed theater while you still can. Experiencing Josh Brolin’s “What the f*ck?!” moment with a live audience is absolutely worth it.