Cinema Scholars reviews Adam Wingard’s new sci-fi horror film Onslaught. The film stars Adria Arjona, Dan Stevens, Rebecca Hall, Reginald VelJohnson. A24 is releasing Onslaught in theaters nationwide on September 2, 2026.
Introduction
More recent fans of filmmaker Adam Wingard know him for his big-budget monster mashes and reboots. With Death Note and Blair Witch, Wingard took on existing horror IP with bravado. Then Godzilla Vs. Kong and Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire sealed the deal for Wingard as far as box office mojo. But OG fans of the director are more likely to point to his early work in low-budget horror that helped propel him to blockbuster status.
Though Wingard’s directorial credits go back 20+ years, it was a string of festival darlings in 2011-2012, including You’re Next, V/H/S (1&2), and The Guest that made him a name to remember in close-knit indie horror circles. Now, after his big studio stint, Wingard has returned to his roots with Onslaught, a wild ride of a film that brilliantly channels 90s cross-genre B movies even when it goes off the rails.
Synopsis
Celeste (Adria Arjona) is a hardass veteran who quells her PTSD by sequestering herself in a remote desert trailer park community. When her ex unexpectedly drops their daughter off for the weekend, Celeste’s other life as a struggling mother is revealed. Though she’s no June Cleaver, Celeste does her best to make her little girl feel at home.
In a parallel narrative, the tropes abound as mad scientist Hans Kammler (Dan Stevens) performs top-secret government experiments to create super soldiers. What could possibly go wrong? And wrong it goes. Further complicating things, a mysterious operative (Drew Starkey) is dispatched to “fix” the situation, adding another element of cat-and-mouse. When the narratives eventually collide, Celeste must defend her territory and protect her daughter from the mayhem that is unleashed.
Discussion
The look of Onslaught is rich and sensational as Wingard applies his big-budget know-how on a smaller scale. Shiny lens flares, glowy MDMA-like effects, and a sweet sequence with a killer Mack truck make the film a visual delight.
The imagery perfectly complements the gonzo antics throughout the story. Giving serious USA Up All Night energy, Onslaught reads like the delirious sci-fi shoot-em-ups of yore. Gruesome science experiments pair beautifully with advanced weaponry and tech. And the over-the-top gore factor hurts so good.
Additionally, fun character development grounds an otherwise ridiculous premise. Mad scientist Kammler remains mysterious and diabolical despite a flash of vulnerability in the presence of his mastermind wife (Rebecca Hall). Celeste’s fellow vet/neighbor Josiah offers comic relief alongside poignant selflessness, providing the unexpected heart of the film. And the buttoned-up tyke Daisy gives silent commentary on helicopter parenting and unorthodox mother/daughter dynamics.
Performances
Adria Arjona is solid as the strong yet harried Celeste. Her low-key paranoia is steady and her abrasiveness stays consistent as the unlikely mother figure of the story. Though her character is not always likable, Arjona somehow makes Celeste sympathetic nonetheless.
As classic villain Kammler, Dan Stevens leans into the unhinged disposition of the character. Though Kammler is an obvious amalgam of mad scientist references, Stevens understands the assignment fully. He turns in a hilarious and captivating portrayal that winks at the audience without actually winking.
Supporting Players
Though her time onscreen is brief, Rebecca Hall once again commands every frame with an intense take on Hanna Kammler. With a devastating German accent and an enigmatic air, it’s really fun to see Hall play in this world, even if briefly.
In the role of the clandestine special ops fixer, Drew Starkey also maintains an aura of villain-esque unpredictability that makes you want more. Blake Kennedy, like a Cabbage Patch Kid come to life, provides the perfect dose of children-in-peril drama AND a moral compass with her sweet turn as Daisy. And it would be shameful not to highlight the performance of 80s/90s mainstay Reginald VelJohnson as Celeste’s neighbor and confidante Josiah. His presence (along with a brief appearance by Michael Biehn!) gives Onslaught the perfect throwback sidekick vibe it needs.
Further Analysis
Though fun and outrageous in all the right ways, Onslaught is not perfect. Celeste is supposed to be a badass, yet she continually chokes in the moment. She screams, forgets she can get up and run, and gets saved time after time instead of fending for herself. Furthermore, a backstory about her deployment that attempts to tie into the current drama barely makes an impact. So while her personal character development works, she somehow seems to forget her badass background when the heat turns up.
While Wingard is obviously going for a sort of campy attitude with Onslaught, some elements fall flat. It is awesome that Dan Stevens gets to complete his Wingard trifecta with the film, but accepting him under a ridiculous bald cap and old-man makeup is a choice both intriguing and slightly annoying. One can’t help but think of multiple older actors who could have aptly filled Kammler’s deranged shoes.
Furthermore, nonsensical humor meant to break up the mayhem falls flat. Though there are a few perfectly timed moments to release the pressure valve, many others end up feeling cringy.
Conclusion
Despite some gripes, Onslaught is super entertaining and well-played overall. Great visuals, gnarly gore, and terrific character development work. Plus the film has a vibe that harkens back to beloved B movies. All in all, Onslaught is an original story in a world of reboots and monster mashes and a worthy addition to the Wingard horror catalog.
Onslaught opens in theaters nationwide on September 4th.
