Though Pedro Pascal appears to be in nearly every film at present, he is absent from Zach Cregger’s horror feature “Weapons.” He was nearly cast as grieving father Archer (Josh Brolin), but scheduling issues got in the way. Interestingly, “Weapons” has an unexpected connection to a significant Pascal project: “The Last of Us.”

The narrative focuses on the mysterious vanishing of 17 children from the same third-grade class at Maybrook Elementary. One fateful night, at 2:17 a.m., they all departed their homes and disappeared into the night, leaving the Maybrook community reeling.

In a specific scene, Maybrook Elementary principal Marcus (Benedict Wong) takes a moment to unwind by watching a TV show with his husband Terry (Clayton Farris). They are viewing a nature documentary about the Cordyceps fungus, notably Ophiocordyceps unilateralis, or zombie-ant fungus, which seizes control of ants’ brains and directs them to locations favorable for fungal growth. (It subsequently sprouts from the deceased ant — quite eerie!)

The real-life Cordyceps fungus inspired the harrowing fungal infection in “The Last of Us.” Similarly, “Weapons” hints at the methodology of its central antagonist, acting as a foreboding precursor to future events. Potential spoilers ahead, so for those who haven’t watched the film, you may want to make like the children in “Weapons” and dash away quickly.

What drives “Weapons” to have an obsession with Cordyceps and parasites?

The Cordyceps documentary moment isn’t the sole instance in “Weapons” that alludes to a chilling parasite. During one of the film’s numerous nightmare sequences, teacher Justine (Julia Garner) walks into her classroom and sees all the missing children back at their desks. On the whiteboard behind her is a list of parasites.

Later, as “Weapons” zeroes in on Alex (Cary Christopher), the lone child from the class who didn’t vanish, Justine is heard discussing parasites and asking for examples, mentioning tapeworms. Between these classroom interactions and the Cordyceps documentary, it’s evident that “Weapons” has an obsession with parasites. Why is that?

These mentions of parasites subtly reveal the tactics of “Weapons”‘ primary antagonist: witch Gladys (Amy Madigan). She conducts rituals to ensnare individuals, employing a mystical tree, her own blood, and the personal items of her victims.

Her first targets are Alex’s parents (Whitmer Thomas and Callie Schuttera), whom she traps in the hope that draining their life force will heal her terminal condition. But when Alex’s parents prove insufficient, she turns her attention to the 17 children.

Gladys’ treatment of Alex’s parents and the children exemplifies parasitic behavior. She siphons their energy to remedy herself, all the while keeping them imprisoned and unresponsive.

Much like the real-world Cordyceps fungus, Gladys takes control of her victims’ bodies and minds, compelling them to act on her behalf. She coerces Alex’s mother to sever a lock of Justine’s hair for a ritual and transforms Marcus, Paul (Alden Ehrenreich), and James (Austin Abrams) into lethal agents to dispose of her adversaries. Their erratic movements mimic those of ants overtaken by Cordyceps: They have lost autonomy; Gladys commands them.

All these references to parasites across “Weapons” unveil the reality of Gladys. She isn’t merely a witch; she’s a parasite — eager to drain the entire Maybrook community, including children, to stay alive.

“Weapons” is currently showing in theaters.