“Onslaught” delivers a tight package of motherhood and madness

Please be advised for potential spoilers ahead.  

Picture a film that blends so many elements of your sci-fi and horror favorites just as we enter the fall season and you’ll probably come up with “Onslaught,” which arrives in theaters today.

“Onslaught” comes to us from A24 and director Adam Wingard, who co-wrote the screenplay with Simon Barrett. The film is composed of two very specific storylines: motherhood and evil machinery. 

We follow Celeste, played by Adria Arjona, a combat veteran living in a trailer park that she manages. When her ex-husband unexpectedly drops off their daughter for the weekend, Celeste and her daughter, Daisy, played by Blake Kennedy, begin catching up. 

Elsewhere, we’re shown that a secret government facility is creating a deadly task force of former-veterans-turned-militia-killing-machines via some highly unethical and illegal science.  

The head doctor, Hans Kammler, played by Dan Stevens, is the stereotypical Nazi madman who’s running the operation and his supervisor, Baylor, is played by Michael Biehn. But when things at the government facility start to go awry, the next in charge, Cyrus, played by Drew Starkey, is called and has to begin uncovering the insanity while simultaneously cleaning up the mess. 

Now, in the process of caring for a child, cleaning up a secret mess, and trying to make dinner, the three men of the facility find their way to the trailer park where Daisy, Celeste and the other residents are. Things come to a head in the most “Terminator”-esque style blended with a gruesomeness level to that of “Evil Dead,” and we get our ending.  

And speaking of endings, don’t exit the theater the moment the credits roll. There’s more to the story throughout the credits, and you’ll learn what happens to the survivors and other important info. It’s so sneaky, but so good and well worth sticking around.

“Onslaught” has a grittiness to it that fits perfectly within the story it’s trying to tell. There are these really well-done nods to ’80s camera movement styles, costuming and set design. With wide shots that build the intensity and close-ups that generate unease, the camera work, cinematography and editing is really well done. Who knew we would be getting a film in 2026 that transports us back over 35 years ago?

There are several shots of the three villains standing together that give off incredible callbacks to “Evil Dead,” “Alien” and “The Strangers.”. Plus, if you don’t mind gore and military-grade gun sequences, you’ll really enjoy how “Onslaught” does it.

The film, which primarily takes place in the desert and was filmed in New Mexico, also incorporates incredible practical effects. There’s a tastefulness to how CGI is used, but it’s clear that practical effects are dominant in “Onslaught.” Whether it’s someone roasting in the desert night, car crashes or explosions, we’re given some really satiating thrills throughout the film. 

For a movie that logs in at about 92 minutes, the script and character development seems really intentional. There’s no wasted space and it’s clear that Wingard and writer Simon Barrett wanted precision growth within key characters while developing the script.

I will mention that the final act, or at least the final battle, concludes way too quickly. Given that the final act of the film is the villains attacking the residents of the trailer park, I felt that the last moments of action could have had a bit more to them between the final characters. The version we’re shown is great and not much more could have changed the storyline and final outcome, but given that “Onslaught” is curating nods to films of old, a little extra action never hurts. 

Beyond the government conspiracy theories, a little espionage and some good old-fashioned violence, “Onslaught” gives us messages on motherhood, trusting those in power, overcoming trauma and taking matters into your own hands. In my opinion, this is a solid film whose themes don’t overcomplicate or oversimplify the fun, the scares and the action it possesses. 

Oh, and: If you’re looking to hang out with Michael Biehn, others from “Alien” franchise, and more scary faves, check out Artists Assemble Horror Fest happening October 2 to 4 in Mesa. Tickets are available at on the website.