Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another is a masterpiece of spectacular, raw filmmaking that embodies the current moment in which we live with distinct humor and jarring stakes. A cinematic powerhouse, it is a biting critique of America now, set into a story that feels both personal and universally urgent. The movie is a perfect blend of thrilling and comical, where you will laugh and be on the edge of your seat.
The movie follows Bob (Leonardo DiCaprio), a burned-out revolutionary hiding out in paranoid seclusion in the woods with his fiercely independent daughter, Willa. When his long-buried enemy reemerges and Willa disappears as a mode of self-preservation, Bob is thrust back into the action to confront the return of his old nemesis, and propelling both the father and daughter into a long chase that reckons with what has haunted their past as they fight for their survival. The film’s strength lies in how it seamlessly blends a tense and dynamic journey with family drama and the spirit of a survivalist thriller. It is a gripping reflection of survival in uncertain times, and if those fighting back make it.
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The performances of the exceptional ensemble are unquestionably one of the driving strengths of One Battle After Another, and they elevate Paul Thomas Anderson’s already audacious epic blockbuster budget into something memorable and definitive. Leonardo DiCaprio is full of madcap, dynamic comedic energy, bouncing between paranoia, tenderness, and absurd humor, reminding audiences of the risk-taking side of DiCaprio that has defined his most daring roles. Sean Penn is simply outlandish in the best way possible, embodying America’s darkest impulses in a role. He devours the screen, chewing through every line with a snarling nastiness that is both unsettling and magnetic, but never over the top. He makes the most of his screen time. Chase Infiniti is stunning and perfectly cast, holding her own against her established and talented co-stars, anchored with a fierce independence and quiet resilience.
Much of One Battle After Another consists of an extended, entertaining chase sequence in which Bob and Willa escape the men on their trail, and both are usually one step ahead, taking them to unexpected places. The plot is unpredictable, captivating, and never dull, even if the runtime is noticeable in some moments. The 2-hour, 40-minute run time feels quicker than it should be.
My favorite Paul Thomas Anderson movies have a dash of zeitgeist, whether it was 2007’s There Will Be Blood critiquing capitalism, opening just before the 2008 financial crisis, or 2012’s The Master arriving at a time in the 2010s when many questioned institutions in a pre-Trump, Tea Party era, eager to consolidate around a cult of personality. Something about One Battle After Another taps into the zeitgeist with its portrait of off-grid paranoia, a fascist government targeting a resistance, and the impending culture clash.
One Battle After Another will be discussed and remembered as one of the best films of 2025, and possibly the decade, for its breathtaking direction, outstanding performances, and relevant narrative. Something about this movie feels like it represents its polarizing era, like the best of 70s cinema. And it is worth watching an everlasting film you won’t forget anytime soon.
One Battle After Another is now playing in theaters nationwide.
