EXCLUSIVE: Adam Wingard discusses his return to the horror genre with Onslaught following his work on Godzilla x Kong.

      After directing kaiju blockbusters like the Godzilla and Kong films, Adam Wingard has returned to his horror roots with his energetic slasher film, Onslaught. This A24 production centers on Celeste (Adria Arjona), a U.S. Army sniper who must protect her daughter from three escaped super soldiers from a military lab overseen by Dr. Hans Kammler (Dan Stevens).

      Onslaught proudly embraces its ‘80s grindhouse influences, delivering an extravagant, blood-drenched experience that pays homage to the works of John Carpenter. Arjona, just a year before the release of Man of Tomorrow, proves herself as a bold, fierce action movie protagonist.

      In an interview with Digital Trends, Wingard discusses the films that motivated Onslaught, why Arjona and Stevens were ideal for their roles, and how making this indie film contrasted with his past blockbuster experiences.

      This transcript has been edited for brevity and clarity.

      Digital Trends: To begin, what inspired you to create Onslaught?

      Wingard: At its heart, I wanted to make a movie that explored newly discovered fears. I've been engaged in the franchise IP world for a considerable time, and I had drifted away from horror. I think part of my move away from horror stemmed from wanting to pursue larger projects like the Godzilla films. However, I had become somewhat desensitized and found that I wasn’t frightened by many things anymore. The genesis of this film began with the realization of that feeling.

      Having worked on many franchise films, my choices became less about personal investment and more about what was available to direct. Suddenly, I felt I had a story to tell again, and after some time away from horror, it was exciting to dive back in. I wanted to cement what defines an Adam Wingard film. It's amusing to say your own name, but it’s true.

      I felt that You’re Next and The Guest encapsulated who I was, and I had always envisioned capping that off thematically or literally. I wanted to create a movie that was purely in my style while also reminding audiences of what makes me unique as a filmmaker.

      Digital Trends: With Onslaught, you've truly highlighted your filmmaking style while also referencing classic action and slasher films. What specific films inspired you during its creation?

      A24 / A24

      Wingard: Many films inspired me in different ways, but the main ones we included on our vision board during production came from those influences. In our “war room,” which is just a fancy term for a meeting room with set photos, designs, and inspiration, we compiled a vision board that reflected the movies we wanted to emulate.

      Our influences included Halloween III and The Fog, which significantly shaped how we approached the killers. When pitching the movie to A24, I used a visual of The Fog's poster featuring ghostly pirates in the mist. The glowing eyes served as a key reference, and I said, “This is what we’re doing,” but with a military twist. Additionally, I drew inspiration from James Cameron’s Terminator films and Aliens, as well as Tremors.

      Tremors is a fantastic movie for several reasons. It has a trailer park setting, but what stood out to us was its memorable characters. Every character is distinct, and you remember their faces and personalities immediately, providing a quick shorthand for the audience. We aimed for that same vibe in Onslaught, wanting every character to leave an impression and casting interesting actors for each role. I have a fondness for ’80s and ’90s B-movies that feature memorable characters, even the minor ones.

      Digital Trends: Yes, all the characters indeed left a strong impression. Adria Arjona leads the film, and her performance evokes characters like those from Kill Bill, Sarah Connor, or Ellen Ripley. What was it like collaborating with her on this film?

      A24 / A24

      Wingard: Working with her was fantastic. What stood out about Adria was her understanding of Celeste as a character who embodies the messiness of being a wreck. In our initial conversation, she expressed that she wasn’t concerned about her character being likable in the first half of the film because that's not who she is. I found that bold and refreshing, and despite this, she naturally comes across as likable, even while being flawed.

      Some might soften a character out of concern for likability, which can actually lead to making them less relatable. Because she embraced Celeste's unhinged nature and, in essence, is a badass herself, it all came together seamlessly.

      Digital Trends: Absolutely. Adria's portrayal of a struggling Army veteran fighting super soldiers, coupled with her role as a protecting mother, adds layers of relatability and sympathy to her character, enhancing her appeal.

      Wingard: I completely agree. You want your hero to be interesting; sometimes, they can become the most dull character, embodying righteousness