Adam Wingard's latest directorial effort, 'Onslaught,' is being hailed as the nastiest and most important action thriller of 2026. The film, a covert sequel to Wingard's 2014 cult hit 'The Guest,' masterfully blends grindhouse aesthetics with a surprisingly deep sociopolitical message, offering a visceral and thought-provoking cinematic experience.
The movie plunges viewers into a world where three zombified super-soldiers, created by a secret military facility, break loose and unleash havoc. These former military personnel, transformed into unstoppable killing machines, are directed by a shadowy government operative, played by sci-fi veteran Michael Biehn. The ensuing chaos forces a confrontation with Celeste, a former military sniper battling PTSD, played by Adria Arjona.
Arjona delivers a compelling performance as Celeste, a trailer park manager in rural New Mexico. Her character's past as a military sniper informs her resilience and trauma, which are subtly woven into the narrative through flashbacks and physical cues, like her method of steadying herself before taking a shot. The film also features a standout performance from Reginald VelJohnson, whose role as Celeste's neighbor leverages audience nostalgia from his iconic characters in 'Die Hard' and 'Family Matters,' transforming him into an instantly sympathetic, chain-smoking, shotgun-wielding hero.
The action sequences are a primary draw, described as gloriously gross and violent, drawing clear inspiration from slashers like 'Halloween' and 'The Terminator,' as well as the stylized visuals of Quentin Tarantino's filmography. Wingard even reportedly tweaked the fake blood recipe to emulate the vibrant red palette seen in 'Kill Bill.' The super-soldiers, while individually given grim backstories, function as a cohesive and terrifying unit, employing military precision in their brutal attacks.
Adding another layer to the film's influences is its soundtrack. Composer Matt Pusti's score often echoes John Carpenter's iconic 'Halloween' theme, infused with techno and rock elements, while Wingard also employs a strategic use of recognizable songs, often presented as German covers listened to by Dan Stevens' character, a German mad scientist involved in the super-soldier experiments.
Beyond its genre thrills, 'Onslaught' critically engages with contemporary political themes. The film draws parallels to the 'Imperial Boomerang' theory, first proposed by Aimé Césaire, which posits that imperialistic tactics employed by a government abroad will eventually be turned against its own citizens. This concept is directly linked to real-world events, such as the 1985 MOVE bombing in Philadelphia and the increasing use of military tactics by domestic law enforcement. Wingard uses the super-soldiers not as random agents of terror, but as extensions of a government's programming, turning its own military might against its populace.
While the film's explosive action and thematic depth are widely praised, the character of Drew Starkey, a drugged-up government agent, is noted as a potential weak point. Though Starkey effectively conveys his character's resolve and the disorienting effects of MDMA, his role is described as underdeveloped, serving more to pad the runtime than to significantly advance the plot or themes.
'Onslaught' is set to release in theaters on September 4, 2026.
