Director Adam Wingard has officially confirmed that his A24 thriller Onslaught is the final piece of a secret trilogy. The film connects to You're Next and The Guest through shared lore and settings.
The KPG link and the Moriarty, New Mexico connection
The three films in Adam Wingard's secret trilogy are tied together by subtle narrative threads rather than overt crossovers. While there are no shared protagonists, the defense contractor KPG serves as the connective tissue across You're Next, The Guest, and Onslaught. As the report explains, the character Hans Kammler, played by Dan Stevens in Onslaught, is the "K" in the KPG organization responsible for the experiments seen in The Guest.
Furthermore, the setting of Moriarty, New Mexico, provides a geographic anchor for the series. Both The Guest and Onslaught take place in this desert town, creating a shared sense of place for fans of the franchise . this subtle world-building allows the films to exist as standalone stories while rewarding viewers who pay close attention to the background details.
A $15 million production vs. a $4 million box office
Despite the creative cohesion of the trilogy, Onslaught has faced significant commercial hurdles. According to Box Office Mojo, the film grossed less than $4 million, a disappointing figure when measured against its estimated $15 million production budget. This financial gap highlights the difficulty A24 faces when moving away from its traditional prestige horror roots.
The studio's decision to produce a pulpy, B-movie style action-horror film was not without controversy. Some critics argued that such a straightforward genre piece was beneath A24's reputation for high-concept psychological thrillers like Hereditary. This tension between studio brand and director vision has become a central theme in the film's release cycle .
The stylistic pivot from Godzilla vs Kong to John Carpenter vibes
Adam Wingard's move toward the "pulpy throwback" style of Onslaught marks a sharp departure from his recent work on massive Hollywood franchises. After directing the Godzilla vs. Kong duology, Wingard appears to have returned to the low-budget, high-concept horror that defined his earlier career. The film draws heavy inspiration from the work of John Carpenter, echoing the atmosphere of his classic filmography.
The narrative of Onslaught also shares DNA with unproduced projects, specifically a John Carpenter concept titled Shadow Company. Both stories involve specialized military units operating in small, vulnerable towns. This stylistic choice suggests that Wingard is prioritizing personal creative interests over the scale of blockbuster filmmaking .
The uncertain future of a 'The Guest 2' sequel
While the trilogy is technically complete, several questions remain regarding the future of this cinematic universe. Fans have long clamored for a sequel to The Guest, especially after Adam Wingard released a mock soundtrack for The Guest 2 as an April Fool's joke in 2022. However, it remains unverified whether a direct sequel is actually in development or if the credits scene in Onslaught was merely a tease.
The commercial performance of Onslaught also casts doubt on whether A24 will greenlight further expansions of the KPG universe. While Dan Stevens and Maika Monroe have grown significantly in bankability since 2014, the lack of box office momentum may delay any potential follow-ups for years. It is still unknown if Wingard intends to return to Moriarty, New Mexico, or if the trilogy will remain a cult phenomenon.
Comments 0