A new action and horror movie called Onslaught hit theaters on September 4, giving movie fans something new to watch as summer comes to an end. The movie — directed by Adam Wingard — stars Adria Arjona, Dan Stevens, Drew Starkey, Rebecca Hall, and Reginald VelJohnson. The movie runs for about 92 minutes and mixes action, science fiction, mystery, and horror.

 

The movie follows Celeste, a former Army sniper and single mother who lives in a trailer park with her daughter. Her quiet life changes when genetically changed super soldiers escape from a military facility. Celeste has to protect her daughter and the people around her while dealing with the dangerous situation.

 

Right away, Onslaught tries to make itself different from a normal action movie. T has a mix of horror, comedy, science fiction, and old-school action. The movie also takes inspiration from older action horror movies. This gives it a style that feels like it could have come from another time.

 

One of the strongest parts of the movie is Adria Arjona’s performance. She plays Celeste as a character who is tough but also cares deeply about her daughter. Instead of making Celeste feel like a perfect hero, the movie gives her a more personal reason to fight. Her relationship with her daughter gives the story something more than just action.

 

Lyla Neimier, senior, said, “I thought the main character was one of the best parts. She actually felt like a real person instead of just being there to fight.”

 

Another part of the movie that stands out is its strange sense of humor. Even though the movie is mainly an action and horror film, it does not take itself completely seriously. Some characters and situations are meant to be weird and over the top.

 

That style will probably work better for some viewers than others. People who enjoy movies that are serious from beginning to end may find some parts confusing or strange, and others who enjoy wild action movies with a little humor may have more fun with it.

 

Niemier said, “It was definitely weird, but I think that was part of the point. I didn’t know what was going to happen next, which kept me interested.”

 

The movie’s short runtime also helps it move along. At about an hour and a half, Onslaught does not take up a huge amount of time. However, one problem is that the movie sometimes felt slower than it should.

 

The Associated Press pointed out that the movie spends a lot of time building the setting and introducing characters instead of moving quickly into the action. The review gave the movie two out of four stars.

 

Some critics also felt that the story was not as strong as the movie’s style. Rotten Tomatoes currently lists the movie at 59% from critics and 61% from verified audience ratings, showing that viewers and critics have had mixed reactions.

 

The story is one of the biggest areas where the movie could have done more. The basic idea is interesting, but there are parts where the movie seems to focus more on looking cool than explaining everything clearly. There are questions about the characters and the world of the movie that are not fully answered.

 

The Los Angeles Times also criticized the movie for having a lot of style but not enough substance. Other reviews have pointed out that the movie seems to leave room for more stories in the future.

 

Niemier said, “I liked the idea of the movie, but I felt like some things were not explained enough. I wanted to know more about what was happening.”

 

Even with its problems, Onslaught stands out because of its strange mix of action, horror, and comedy. The cast also helps make the movie interesting, especially Adria Arjona as Celeste. The movie has a different style that makes it feel unlike a normal action movie.

 

Niemier said, “I would not say it was perfect, but I had fun watching it. It was different from what I expected.”

 

Overall, Onslaught has some good ideas, but the story could have been clearer. Some viewers may enjoy the weird humor and action, while others may find parts confusing. Still, its short 92-minute runtime makes it a quick and different movie to watch for people who enjoy action and horror.