Onslaught First Reactions Call Adam Wingard's Movie "Twisted, Nasty" And... "Irresponsible"

Following preview screenings earlier this week, the first social media reactions for Adam Wingard's latest movie, Onslaught, are in.

The sci-fi horror actioner is set to hit theatres on Friday, September 4, and stars Adria Arjona (Andor, Hitman, Man of Tomorrow) as a former army sniper living in a desert trailer park with her young daughter, who must fight to survive when unstoppable killing machines known as Cockroach, Crybaby, and The Butcher come calling.

The reactions are mostly pretty positive, with high praise for Arjona's lead performance and the movie's old-school '80s vibe, brutal violence, and bloody action scenes.

Some did feel that the film has very little else to offer beyond its visceral thrills, however, and one critic blasted Onslaught for being "irresponsible" in its depictions of innocent civilians being slaughtered (insert Ben Affleck "fictional characters" GIF here).

Have a read through the reactions below, and we'll update as more come in.

Onslaught is pretty uneven on the whole, but is stylish to the nines in a way that’s exceptional for a B-movie homage. There’s some inspired performances in here (Reginald VelJohnson *rocks*), yet, somehow, this over-the-top romp feels leashed rather than what its title suggests. https://t.co/3Pe3BXkbQ1

— Jacob Ethington (@JacobTalks4ever) August 19, 2026

ONSLAUGHT is a wild ride to say the least. A badass blood covered Adria Arjona fights 3 super soldiers in a homage to 80s grind house films. A good time for the most part but everything that surrounds the movie beyond the action violence just doesn’t work and or falls flat. pic.twitter.com/Wd5BESYKMo

— TheClubOrtiz🔜TIFF (@RobertoTylerOr1) August 19, 2026

Onslaught is like a modern day Cannon remake of Assault on Precinct 13. Early Carpenter meanness, ‘80s Golan-Globus weirdness, and a strong desire to get to the good stuff a quickly as possible. Very entertaining throwback. pic.twitter.com/pPa7Vvr2SF

— Eric Vespe (@EricVespe) August 20, 2026

Had a ton of fun with Adam Wingard's #Onslaught, a down-and-dirty, back-to-basics thriller in the mode of "The Guest." Adria Arjona leads a terrific cast of genre stalwarts, with fun, satisfying action set pieces and tons of gore. If you're on its 80s-indebted wavelength, it hits pic.twitter.com/QOKpNCIOzN

— Drew Taylor (@DrewTailored) August 19, 2026

#Onslaught is a badass flick that's 20 minutes too short and two or three more set-pieces shy of greatness. It's a muscular, dirt-under-the-nails action-slasher with Adria Arjona doing exactly what the mission calls for. A bit more OOMPH and we'd have a real classic here. pic.twitter.com/0R860qB64B

— Eric Francisco (@EricFrancisco24) August 19, 2026

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. pic.twitter.com/OnTMYyFI5A

— Sean Boelman (@bigtunaonfilm) August 19, 2026

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. pic.twitter.com/POzMIzIPsi

— Bill Bria (@billbria) August 19, 2026

The movie's official logline reads: When a rogue squad of genetically engineered super soldiers break loose in the desert, a badass Army sniper must unleash hell to protect her young daughter.

Aaron Ryder and Andrew Swett produce under their Ryder Picture Company banner alongside A24, and Alexander Black for Lyrical Media. Wingard and manager Jeremy Platt also produce, via their new shingle Breakaway Civilization, along with Barrett.

Onslaught also stars Dan Stevens (The Guest, Cuckoo, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire), Michael Biehn (Aliens, The Terminator), Rebecca Hall (The Night House, Godzilla vs. Kong), Eric Wareheim (Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!), Reginald VelJohnson (Die Hard), and UFC champion Alex Pereira, who reportedly plays an unstoppable.