One Battle After Another

If you're into wild, politically charged thrillers with a heart, One Battle After Another might just be your next favorite movie. Directed, written, and produced by Paul Thomas Anderson, this action-packed epic is inspired by Thomas Pynchon's novel Vineland, but with Anderson’s own twist. Clocking in at a hefty 162 minutes, it’s a sprawling, high-stakes ride that blends revolutionary drama, family bonds, and a whole lot of chaos.

The story centers on Bob, a washed-up ex-revolutionary turned paranoid stoner, and his fiercely independent daughter, Willa. They’ve been living off the grid for years, hiding from a dark past that comes roaring back when Bob’s old nemesis resurfaces. What follows is a tense, emotional, and often explosive journey as both father and daughter are forced to confront the consequences of choices made long ago.

Leonardo DiCaprio leads the cast as Bob, delivering a performance that critics are calling one of his most human and comedic yet. Sean Penn plays the twisted antagonist with chilling intensity, while newcomer Chase Infiniti shines as Willa, holding her own in a film packed with big names like Regina Hall, Benicio del Toro, and Teyana Taylor.

Visually, the film is a stunner. Shot on 35mm VistaVision, it’s got that old-school cinematic feel with a modern edge. The action sequences are massive, the emotional beats hit hard, and the soundtrack—scored by Radiohead’s Jonny Greenwood—is as haunting as it is beautiful.

Critics have been raving, calling it Anderson’s most entertaining and thematically rich film to date. It’s been praised for its bold storytelling, emotional depth, and timely political commentary. That said, it’s not for everyone. If you’re not into long, layered narratives or politically charged themes, this might feel like a bit much. Some viewers have found it overwhelming or too scattershot, and conservative audiences have taken issue with its sympathetic portrayal of antifascist revolutionaries.

But if you’re a fan of Anderson’s work, love a good father-daughter story, or just want to see DiCaprio and Penn go head-to-head in a gritty, high-stakes showdown, One Battle After Another is worth the ride. Just be ready for a lot of movie—this one doesn’t hold back.