Alabama director’s new action movie starring UFC superstar looks wild

After finding massive success by bringing cinematic titans together in the MonsterVerse, Birmingham-raised director Adam Wingard is tapping back into his horror-thriller roots. Fans anticipating his next project were previously expecting a "Face/Off" sequel, but Wingard has instead pivoted to an intense new action movie, "Onslaught."

A Star-Studded Thriller

The film boasts a high-energy cast including Adria Arjona, Drew Starkey, Rebecca Hall, Reginald VelJohnson, Dan Stevens, and a special appearance by UFC superstar Alex Pereira. The plot follows a mother, played by Arjona, who must fight to save her family from a dangerous threat unleashed from a secret military base. The movie also features Alabama native Michael Biehn, the iconic star of "The Terminator," "Aliens," and "Tombstone."

For fight fans, all eyes will be on Pereira, the former two-time UFC Light Heavyweight Champion and former Middleweight Champion, who is set to face Ciryl Gane during the UFC’s White House event on June 14. "Onslaught" is slated for a theatrical release on Sept. 4.

From Alabama to Hollywood

Wingard, who spent his formative years in Marion, Calera, and Birmingham, built his reputation on gritty independent horror features like "You’re Next" and "The Guest." He eventually transitioned into blockbuster territory, delivering hits like "Godzilla vs. Kong"—which provided a massive box-office boost in 2021—and the 2024 follow-up, "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire."

The success of Alabama-raised directors continues to make waves throughout the industry. Mobile native Curry Barker recently directed the breakout horror-comedy "Obsession," which has quickly become a box-office phenomenon. Meanwhile, Birmingham-born Daniel Scheinert—one half of the Oscar-winning "Daniels" duo—remains a major force in Hollywood following the massive success of "Everything Everywhere All at Once."