Onslaught(2026)

Lots of style, enough substance. A nostalgic 80's synth score with three killers outfitted in military gear staring ominously with a menacing glint in their eye, all across a backdrop of cold blue light amidst a river of fog. There are a lot of shots similar to this and they all hammer home how stylish and cool the film is, with plenty of other scenes where you know there was time and craft dedicated to the cinematography to really set the tone for the inevitable brutality these figures portray. Adria Arjona, the embattled divorced single mom living in a trailer park, haunted by visions of her military past sells the role with enough authenticity that she's not just there to fill the spaces and move the story along. Michael Biehn ("come with me if you want to live") if you know you know; plays a small role but it was great seeing him on the big screen even if it was very brief. Personally the scene stealer was Drew Starkey ("Rafe" in Outer Banks) - he's tasked with playing government clean up duty and begrudgingly gets pulled away to do so while indulging himself in a BDSM sex party that would make Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman blush. He's a homicidal, quirky, germaphobe, MDMA enthusiast and so his presence creates for some of the pacing break up. I couldn't quite figure out why his character was even needed in the story, but having him was still really fun. I also have to mention Reginald VelJohnson as Josiah, the wise but long in the tooth veteran presence that bails out Arjona with some well timed and placed bullets. The side characters in this film are strong and lift the plot. The action is violent and visceral just as you would expect from Adam Wingard, and the cinematography really adds a stylistic flair to it that makes it more fun. I found the pacing of the film to be balanced, the build up to the trailer park finale included enough character development and exposition, with action scenes in between that the film never felt slow in any areas. The finale, although good, felt like a little bit of a letdown. What's there was good, but I was left wanting at the end. I wanted to see these super soldiers kick some more ass, shoot some more guns, maybe throw in some hand to hand combat. The kills were clearly inspired by lots of horror slasher classics, combined with the modern day weaponry and tactics, it brews up an interesting military slasher concoction that feels unique and clinical. Likeable and enjoyable characters, and just enough plot that it doesn't feel like a cheap action horror. Would have wanted more during the finale, but still a very solid time, and the best-looking slasher I've seen this year. Go for the style, stay for the fact that it actually has characters worth watching.