Adria Arjona Discusses 'Onslaught' Challenges, 'Man of Tomorrow' Role, and 'Andor' Future

From Gritty Roles to Galactic Adventures: Arjona's Cinematic Journey

Balancing Diverse Roles: From 'Criminal' to 'Onslaught'

Adria Arjona, a highly sought-after actress, has been navigating a demanding schedule, transitioning from a heist series like 'Criminal' and a comedy such as 'Splitsville' to the intense horror-thriller 'Onslaught.' She initially hesitated to take on the challenging role of Celeste, a traumatized former Army sniper, due to exhaustion. However, a meeting with director Adam Wingard quickly convinced her to embrace the project, drawn in by his passionate vision and the script's unique blend of '80s-inspired horror, action, and dark humor. Arjona expresses her admiration for Wingard's willingness to take creative risks and her commitment to supporting his artistic endeavors.

A Truck Tale: Arjona's Unconventional Audition and On-Set Woes

Arjona's personal vehicle, a 1979 Ford F-150, inadvertently played a role in her casting for 'Onslaught.' She drove the truck to her initial meeting with Adam Wingard, who had coincidentally envisioned Celeste driving a similar vehicle. Despite her attempts to feature her real-life truck in the film, its vibrant orange color posed lighting challenges, leading to the use of a different truck on screen. However, her trusty, albeit unreliable, pickup accompanied her to the New Mexico set, often requiring the transportation department's assistance when it broke down on the highway, ensuring her timely arrival for filming.

Deconstructing Motherhood: Celeste's Complex Relationship with Her Daughter

Celeste's relationship with her seven-year-old daughter, Daisy (Blake Kennedy), offers a refreshing reversal of typical on-screen maternal dynamics. Arjona and Wingard consciously decided to portray Celeste as an imperfect mother, a veteran who prioritizes pragmatism over conventional manners, allowing Daisy to appear more mature. This unconventional dynamic stems from Celeste's PTSD and her past experiences, leading to a journey of redemption for the character as she learns to protect her daughter from unforeseen dangers. This nuanced portrayal challenges traditional representations of motherhood in cinema.

The Genesis of a Trauma Response: Arjona's Creative Input

Arjona significantly contributed to Celeste's character development, particularly in creating her unique trauma response. While the script mentioned Celeste's tremors, Arjona felt the character needed a coping mechanism. Collaborating with her partner, Jason Momoa, she conceived the idea of Celeste digging her ring into her forearm, creating a scab as a constant reminder and a form of self-inflicted pain she's comfortable experiencing. This detail, born from Arjona's research into veterans' experiences with trauma, adds a profound layer of depth to Celeste's struggles. Director Adam Wingard embraced the idea, quickly incorporating it into the production with a prosthetic.

Reunions and Loyalty: 'Man of Tomorrow' and the Future of 'Andor'

Arjona expresses her comfort and trust in working with James Gunn and Peter Safran on 'Man of Tomorrow,' marking a reunion with the producers of her first film, 'The Belko Experiment.' This experience reinforced her appreciation for returning to familiar sets and established relationships. Regarding her role as Bix Caleen in 'Andor,' Arjona remains fiercely loyal to series creator Tony Gilroy. While open to exploring Bix's future, she believes it's too soon for a spinoff and respects Gilroy's artistic vision for the show's conclusion, preferring not to impose her own ideas. She recounts a humorous anecdote where her attempts to pitch ideas to Gilroy for 'Andor's second season were met with a firm but polite rejection, highlighting her deference to his writing prowess, despite her newfound confidence as a co-writer on 'Hit Man.'