^{Credit: Onslaught (A24)}

At Cartoon Contender, we mainly discuss animation and awards, but also everything in between. Nick’s Flick-Reel is that in-between, reviewing live-action films and more!

It’s been over a decade since Adam Wingard made an Adam Wingard movie. That’s not to say Wingard hasn’t directed other movies during that time, although they’ve lacked his distinct signature. Godzilla vs. Kong and the confusingly titled Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire were fun enough, but they could feel studio-manufactured. The less said about 2016’s Blair Witch and the live-action Death Note, the better. Indie horror (or mumblecore) is where Wingard left his mark, with You’re Next and The Guest being his breakthroughs. Onslaught sees Wingard return to what he does best: grindhouse gore and letting Dan Stevens act like a weirdo.

To a degree, Onslaught plays like a combination of Wingard’s previous two horror movies. Like You’re Next, the film centers on a woman going up against a small army with nothing but her wit, grit, and whatever weapons she can scrounge up. Like The Guest, Onslaught also features veterans who the government turned into deadly test subjects. Apparently, all three films are part of the same universe. Onslaught may be the weakest of this trilogy, although Wingard still provides the gleeful bloodshed and committed performances we’d expect.

Adria Arjona makes for a fierce leading lady as Celeste, a former sniper who never truly left the war. She finds herself living in a remote trailer park with several other lost souls, including a fellow vet played by the always-welcome Reginald VelJohnson. Celeste is in a custody battle for her daughter (Blake Kennedy), not making the best case for herself. When her ex drops their daughter off, the best Celeste can manage for dinner is gas station burritos. Regardless, Celeste would never let anyone harm a hair on her daughter’s head. Good thing, as the government recently developed a trio of super soldiers. These killing machines don’t care who the target is. Simply stand in their way, and it’s a bullet/butcher knife/chainsaw to the head.

Onslaught naturally builds to a showdown between Celeste and the unholy trinity, one of which is played by martial artist Alex Pereira. However, the film takes its time getting to the final battle, which doesn’t occur until the last half-hour. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, since it allows us to develop a connection with Celeste. Yet, the first hour is still mostly exposition with several supporting players feeling underutilized. Wingard reteams with an unrecognizable Dan Stevens, playing a Strangelove-esque mad doctor, and Rebecca Hall, who can make the most of even the smallest roles. That said, the film could’ve used more of Stevens and Hall. Instead, more time is dedicated to Drew Starkey as a government agent whose arc doesn’t amount to much.

While not everything gels in Onslaught, the film ultimately delivers what it promised in the final act. It doesn’t entirely work as a military commentary, but the film goes all out in the mayhem department and that’s what we’re here for. If you asked me heading into the climax whether I’d recommend Onslaught, I would’ve been on the fence. Walking away from the experience, I was satisfied just enough thanks to Wingard’s unhinged direction and Arjona’s arresting performance. If Wingard is still making that ThunderCats movie, he should consider Arjona for the role of Cheetara. Of course, maybe Wingard should stick with horror, as that’s clearly his comfort zone.

Nick Spake is the Author of Bright & Shiny: A History of Animation at Award Shows Volumes 1, 2, and 3. Available Now!