Onslaught

Synopsis: When a rogue squad of genetically engineered super soldiers break loose in the desert, a badass Army sniper must unleash hell to protect her young daughter.en a rogue squad of genetically engineered super soldiers break loose in the desert, a badass Army sniper must unleash hell to protect her young daughter.  

Movie Review: 

"Onslaught," directed by Adam Wingard, serves as a spiritual sequel to the 2014 horror hit "The Guest." After all these years, Adam returns to this universe with a throwback action flick that channels a 70s grindhouse vibe, packed with blood, action, and gore, making it an entertaining watch, especially thanks to Adria Arjona's standout performance. However, I found some elements of the film disappointing. What really shines is the style Wingard chose for this hardcore bloodbath, which at times feels weird and bizarre, featuring some insane side characters reminiscent of a John Carpenter film, along with great shots that pay homage to the horror films of the 70s. Adria Arjona stars as Celeste, a former Army sniper grappling with traumatic PTSD while trying to protect her daughter. She's definitely the highlight of the movie, showcasing toughness and beauty, proving she can carry the role of an action hero through some intense sequences. You genuinely care about her character, especially with the heartfelt bond established with her daughter Daisy, played by Blake Kennedy, who delivers a surprisingly strong performance as the curious little girl caught in a perilous situation. Reginald VelJohnson, known from "Die Hard," plays Josiah, an older Vietnam veteran who offers a compelling mix of humor, sarcasm, and kindness to Celeste as he aids her against a rogue squad of killers. Dan Stevens portrays Hans Kammler, a wild Russian scientist responsible for creating these monsters, and he delivers an unhinged, bizarre performance that’s hard to recognize due to the prosthetics and makeup, making it a fun watch. 80s icon Michael Biehn plays Baylor, one of the government agents, and while he has limited screen time, he does well. Drew Starkey plays Cyrus, a cleanup agent whose character is underdeveloped, but he compensates with a crazy and quirky performance that makes him memorable. Rebecca Hall plays Hanna Kammler; she’s decent in her role but ultimately feels underutilized and has little to do, which is a shame. My main problem was that it felt too complicated with two storylines going on: one with Celeste and the other at the government facility. This led to a rushed ending that felt a bit disappointing. Despite the hurried aspects, I still found this movie to be an entertaining and fun B movie with some gory action. I'm giving "Onslaught" a 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Director: Adam Wingard 

Cast: Adria Arjona, Dan Stevens, Eric Wareheim, Reginald Veljohnson, Michael Biehn, Blake Kennedy, Alex Peria, Jacob Scipio, Leon M.Brown, Dave Campbell, Tyler Hall, Jasper Keen Abby Townsend with Drew Starkey and Rebecca Hall 

Runtime: 92 Minutes