Director Adam Wingard, known for his work on the recent MonsterVerse entries Godzilla vs. Kong and Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, is returning to his grindhouse roots with the upcoming action-thriller "Onslaught." The film, set to release on September 4, channels the gritty aesthetic of 1970s exploitation cinema while incorporating a modern sensibility, a direction Wingard describes as creating a "B movie way with this modern A24 sheen."
Wingard's fascination with grindhouse cinema began early. He cites Quentin Tarantino's "Pulp Fiction" as a formative influence that inspired him to pursue directing. "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" is also a particular favorite, embodying what Wingard sees as the director's ultimate cinematic statement. This influence is evident in "Onslaught" through various elements, including the deliberate use of vibrant fake blood, reminiscent of "Kill Bill." More significantly, Wingard adopts Tarantino's approach to soundtracks, aiming to introduce audiences to new music rather than relying on familiar hits. "All my movies, especially the best ones that I think I've directed, all start with a musical approach," Wingard stated. "That all starts with Tarantino. I love the way he uses needle drops."
For "Onslaught," Wingard sought to elevate the musical experience beyond conventional soundtracks. The film's antagonist, a Nazi scientist named Dr. Hans Kammler, portrayed by Dan Stevens, is depicted listening to German covers of popular songs, a creative choice Wingard believes sets "Onslaught" apart. The film also features a score by Matthew Pusti, whose work blends John Carpenter-inspired melodies with techno and guitar. Wingard had previously collaborated with Pusti, even bringing him on to score pre-visualization for "Godzilla vs. Kong." Pusti's music from that project, originally intended for Mechagodzilla, found a new home in "Onslaught," scoring the scene where the super-soldiers are first introduced.
Wingard also reflected on his experiences directing large-scale blockbusters. He noted that a recurring lesson from these massive productions is the constant need to maximize limited budgets. "Every movie somehow is always under-budgeted," he explained, drawing a parallel between the financial constraints of "Onslaught" and the additional funds that could have been used on a Godzilla film. However, he leveraged his blockbuster experience by bringing in professionals he had worked with on the Godzilla movies—editors, colorists, and sound designers—to lend their expertise to the lower-budget "Onslaught." This, he believes, is the key differentiator between low-budget and big-budget films: the quality of the technicians involved.
The premise of "Onslaught," which involves U.S. soldiers transformed into super-soldiers by a Nazi scientist and unleashed upon civilians, is rooted in the real-world historical program Operation Paperclip. This program saw the U.S. recruit over 1,600 German scientists and engineers after World War II. Wingard views this historical event as a pivotal moment where America made a morally compromising decision, potentially paving the way for subsequent controversial programs like MKUltra. "I always felt like that was the turning point for America, where we kind of made a pact with the devil," Wingard commented.
Casting for the film included Dan Stevens as Dr. Kammler and Rebecca Hall as his wife. Wingard credits both actors with elevating their respective roles. Stevens, in particular, contributed a significant idea for his character's dynamic with his wife, leading to the development of a memorable scene involving foot-licking. This collaborative moment enhanced the wife's character and added a layer of complexity to their relationship, hinting at a disturbing subtext related to their lineage and potential inbreeding stemming from their shared German heritage and Operation Paperclip background. Wingard suggests this dynamic contributes to the film's status as a modern cult classic, a "forgotten relic from a much nastier era of American cinema" polished with contemporary filmmaking techniques.