by Henry Pham
Onslaught is a brand new A24 movie. It has nothing to do with that Marvel character from the comic book. A24 is known for producing some Oscar-winning films, including Everything Everywhere All at Once. Onslaught follows an Army sniper, Celeste, who lives in a trailer park and struggles to protect her daughter from a trio of super soldiers who have escaped from a secret military facility and are killing everyone in their path. With that, she must use her strength and her Army experience to get herself and her daughter safe away from the trio.
Adria Arjona, known for her role as Bix Caleen in Disney+ series Andor, stars as Celeste, an Army sniper who cares for her daughter, Daisy (portrayed by Blake Kennedy). In the film, Arjona is actually fine here, as she is a good actress. But for some reason, she appears to have trauma in her head, as she deals with her history with the army, which is a crucial element of the story. Kennedy’s performance is decent, though she appears reluctant to participate as she is full of nuance. And the fact that she’s not carrying herself as an extra serving to Arjona, even though her character cares deeply for her.
The supporting cast – consisting of Alex Pereira, Eric Wareheim (Netflix’s Master of None), Reginald VelJohnson (Die Hard franchise), Michael Biehn (The Terminator, Aliens), and Drew Starley (Netflix’s Outer Banks) – are also decent. Wingard’s frequent actors, Dan Stevens (FX’s Legion) and Rebecca Hall (director of Passing), also star in the film as Dr. Hans Kammler and Hanna Kammler.
Adam Wingard, known for directing Godzilla vs. Kong and its sequel, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, stepped away from the Godzilla franchise to direct and produce this film. Oscar-nominated producer Aaron Ryder (Arrival) is among the producers, with Simon Barrett writing the script. The next Godzilla sequel, Godzilla x Kong: Supernova, will be directed by Grant Sputore and is scheduled for release in March 2027. This film adopts a dystopian action-horror approach, blending elements of Mad Max, The Terminator, and Nomadland.
The production utilizes two deserted locations: one for military scenes and another for the main character’s trailer park. The town appears infrequently. The New Mexico shots and the cinematography are notable, and the action sequences are raw, energetic, intense, and graphic. However, the plot feels rushed, likely due to the 93-minute runtime, and some violent scenes may not be suitable for children. The dialogue also lacks depth, but the music and soundtrack are strong.
A24’s Onslaught delivers strong action sequences but ultimately falls short. Adria Arjona stands out in the lead role, though the rushed plot limits her impact. The supporting cast performs adequately, but some characters would benefit from additional screen time for further development. It does give a feel like a spiritual sequel to Wingard’s 2014 film, The Guest (also featuring Dan Stevens), but it’s new and original. Overall, the film is disappointing (though not highly terrible or perfect) and feels longer than its 93-minute runtime. Given its graphic content, it is not recommended for children.
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