Adam Wingard's latest film, "Onslaught," is described as a lean military action flick that draws heavily from 1980s cinema. The plot centers on Celeste (Adria Arjona), a former Army sniper and landlord in a rundown desert trailer park, who finds herself defending her young daughter, Daisy (Blake Kennedy), from a trio of mute, hulking super-soldiers. These genetically engineered adversaries, created by a mad Nazi scientist funded by the U.S. military, have escaped from a nearby government compound and are on a rampage to eliminate everything in their path.
The film's pacing has been noted as a significant issue, with almost an hour of setup before the main home invasion shootout begins. Despite this, Arjona's performance is praised for bringing an "exhausted, give-no-fucks" attitude to Celeste, making her predictable transformation into a "mama bear" character enjoyable. Supporting roles, including Eric Wareheim as a drunk cop and Reginald VelJohnson as a Vietnam vet, add humor and camaraderie to the otherwise serious tone.
"Onslaught" is recognized for its intense action sequences, characterized by copious amounts of fake blood and stylized cinematography by Oren Soffer, which utilizes techniques like gun-POV shots and claustrophobic chases. A late twist reveals a more direct connection between Celeste and her assailants, hinting at broader themes about military exploitation and governmental distrust. While the film touches on corporate greed and military indifference, its commentary often takes a backseat to its thrils, leading to a B- grade.
