An all-new, all-original action thriller is set to be unleashed next month, with the first reactions delivering plenty of high praise, even calling it “one of the best action films of the year,” while also teasing what could become a hugely controversial throwback thriller.
Directed by Adam Wingard, who is known for the cult classic twisted action outing The Guest and the blockbuster monster movies Godzilla vs. Kong and Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, who reunites with frequent filmmaking collaborator Simon Barrett, this 2026 effort combines action with science fiction to create what’s best summed up as The Terminator meets Die Hard.
Led by Hit Man and Man of Tomorrow’s Adria Arjona, Onslaught begins when a rogue squad of genetically engineered super soldiers break loose in the desert, bringing a badass Army sniper out of retirement to unleash hell and protect her young daughter. And it seems that, following A24’s early preview screening, this genre mash-up really works. At least, for some.
Okay this movie rocked! Go in as blind as possible because this is one of the best action films of the year. It’s nice to have the old Adam Wingard back with this perfect companion piece to The Guest. Adria Arjona is a god damn star!!
Also acting as a spiritual sequel to The Guest (and starring Dan Stevens in a new role alongside genre favorites such as Die Hard’s Reginald VelJohnson, Terminator’s Michael Biehn, Godzilla’s Rebecca Hall, and MMA champion Alex Pereira), these early reactions declare Onslaught “Adam Wingard’s return to exploitation with a vengeance” and “a wild ride” that’s a badass “homage to 80s grind house films.”
ONSLAUGHT is Adam Wingard’s return to exploitation with a vengeance. A nasty, satiric action thriller that harbors a political consciousness beneath its genre armor. Adria Arjona shows she has a wider range than she’s already delivered. Wingard & Simon Barrett take no prisoners.
However, there are some criticisms whispering amid the applause, with one reaction praising the action, but adding that everything beyond it “falls flat.” Another slightly more middling reaction once again heaps praise on the throwback action, calling Onslaught “stylish to the nines in a way that’s exceptional for a B-movie homage” with some “inspired performances.” However, this comes with the caveat that the movie overall is “pretty uneven” and perhaps not as off-the-wall as the title suggests.
Generally, these early reactions promise a sci-fi action thriller that’s either one of the greatest things you’ll see in 2026 or a high-concept genre beast that’s well worth watching despite a few flaws. But one reaction teases something that could prove hugely controversial when it gets a wide release: “ONSLAUGHT is one of the most irresponsible movies I’ve seen in a minute. But beyond that, it’s just bad. Lacking in set pieces. No momentum. A huge waste of time and potential.” While we have to wait and see what this irresponsibility refers to (it looks like a lot of innocent people are gunned down based on the trailer), sometimes in the action world, a divisive effort can be even more entertaining than a universally loved one.
Release Date
September 4, 2026
Runtime
92 Minutes
Director
Adam Wingard