‘One Battle After Another’ Review: PTA’s Incendiary Thriller

Paul Thomas Anderson is a fantastic director, but he’s remarkably persuasive too. He convinced Warner Bros. to fund his new political thriller with a reported budget of $130 to $175 million, despite it tackling very sensitive and controversial topics. This is impressive considering his films have never earned more than $78 million worldwide, and he usually works on less divisive subjects.

I’m really curious to know what arguments he used to get people on board with this project. Having Leonardo DiCaprio attached definitely helped – he’s a huge star and a reliable draw for audiences. However, his role in *One Battle After Another* is quite a departure from his usual image. He plays a down-and-out former revolutionary, struggling with depression, alcohol, and other issues, and he spends most of the movie looking disheveled and unlike his typically handsome self. This isn’t the glamorous Leo we saw in *Titanic*; it’s a very different kind of role and a very different film.

Honestly, if I were personally spending $175 million, I might have chosen something else. But as a moviegoer, I’m really thankful Warner Bros. funded *One Battle After Another*. They gave Anderson the resources to create one of his most humorous and heartbreaking films in a long time. While it definitely includes political themes, it’s at its core a powerful and emotional thriller about the bond between a father and the teenage daughter he’s raised alone for sixteen years.

I’m really excited about this movie, but the trailers are keeping a lot of the story under wraps! From what I understand, it takes some liberties with the Thomas Pynchon novel it’s based on, which is cool. Plus, there seem to be some genuinely surprising twists and turns. So, I’ll keep my description pretty short and a little mysterious. Basically, the film centers on Bob Ferguson, played by DiCaprio, who’s living a quiet, secluded life with his amazing teenage daughter, Willa. We don’t really see what Bob *does* now, but the movie hints that he and Willa’s mother, Perfidia, were involved in some serious revolutionary activity – like, elaborate attacks on the government – before Willa was born.

The group’s initial conflict brought them face-to-face with Captain Steven J. Lockjaw (Sean Penn), who ran the migrant detention center. During the raid, Perfidia not only overpowered Lockjaw but also captivated him with her charm, leaving a lasting impression. Sixteen years later, Perfidia is gone and Bob is raising their daughter, Willa, alone when Lockjaw finally gets a lead on where they are.

Viewers might compare *One Battle After Another* to Paul Thomas Anderson’s previous adaptation of a Thomas Pynchon novel, *Inherent Vice*. However, it felt more similar to *The Big Lebowski*, with a confused, laid-back character navigating a complicated and dangerous situation. There’s also a touch of the dark political satire seen in *Dr. Strangelove*. *One Battle After Another* blends elements of those films with Pynchon’s writing and Anderson’s distinctive visual style. While it might not be Anderson’s most insightful film, it’s definitely one of his most thrilling, especially during the second half where the character Lockjaw relentlessly chases Bob and Willa.

That part of the movie features some of Anderson’s most charming, unusual, and hilarious moments. While Bob’s specific problem – being pursued by a rogue soldier – is pretty unique, the reasons *behind* his struggle are something many people can understand. Lots of us feel anxious about the world and how to keep our kids safe when things feel so unstable. We often find ourselves wondering how we ended up living a life so different from what we expected. And honestly, many of us just want to relax and watch a movie, but life rarely lets us. There’s always something demanding our attention.

You may have noticed that this article features a lot of photos of Leonardo DiCaprio. That’s simply because Warner Bros. only provided four promotional images, and they all starred Leo! While DiCaprio is great in the film, playing a stressed-out, former hippie and overbearing father, the rest of the cast is just as impressive. Sean Penn might actually give the best performance – he’s truly frightening and captivating as the villainous Lockjaw, and impressively in shape. His scenes with Taylor are particularly strange, but in a really good way.

Despite dealing with potentially sensitive subject matter, *One Battle After Another* is surprisingly and consistently funny. The film delivers big laughs, many of them stemming from DiCaprio’s character hilariously stumbling through self-created problems. While it features stunning IMAX visuals, exciting chases, and timely storylines, at its heart, *One Battle After Another* is a movie about a well-meaning but clumsy dad having a truly terrible day. Many viewers will find it to be Paul Thomas Anderson’s best comedy since *Boogie Nights*.

While *Boogie Nights* isn’t purely a comedy, and neither is *One Battle After Another*, both films defy easy categorization. They blend genres – a bit of paranoid thriller, a touch of stoner adventure, and even social commentary – reminiscent of the kinds of films Hollywood used to make regularly. Nowadays, with studios focused on established franchises and avoiding risks, films like these are rare. That makes seeing *One Battle After Another* all the more special, and it’s amazing that a movie like this even got made.

RATING: 9/10

The Best Movies of 2025 So Far

10. Elio

Initial box office numbers indicate that *Elio* might be Pixar’s biggest flop in three decades. That’s unfortunate, because despite not reaching the same creative levels as Pixar’s best films, it’s a charming and enjoyable science fiction story with a heartwarming message for kids who feel different. The film features a particularly memorable alien character, Glordon – a friendly slug voiced with delightful humor by Remy Edgerly – who has the potential to become one of Pixar’s most beloved comedic characters, even if *Elio* takes some time to connect with viewers.

9. Ballerina

While the film *Ballerina* doesn’t actually feature a lot of ballet, that’s almost beside the point considering how many intense flamethrower battles it *does* have. Despite rumors of extensive reshoots – and a plot that feels a bit patched together – this *John Wick* spin-off delivers incredible action, including what might be the most literal gunfight ever filmed. Plus, the quirky European ski village setting in the final act is a fun nod to the classic film *Gymkata*.

8. Companion

This year’s biggest cinematic surprises included this smart and twisty thriller, which also offers a funny, critical look at the downsides of tech culture. The film follows Iris (Sophie Thatcher), who joins her boyfriend (Jack Quaid) and their friends for a weekend at a beautiful lake house. Things quickly turn violent, but that’s only the beginning – the story keeps unfolding with unexpected character reveals and dark humor even as the violence escalates.

7. 28 Years Later

The original *28 Days Later* was a truly thought-provoking horror film, and *28 Years Later* achieves the same effect. Beyond the scares, director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland deliver a powerful message about mortality and the importance of cherishing the world around us, even as it faces irreversible damage. The film keeps you on the edge of your seat with worry for young Spike, brilliantly portrayed by Alfie Williams, while also prompting deeper reflection.

6. Wick Is Pain

This documentary about the making of the *John Wick* movies is surprisingly honest, much like the films themselves. It doesn’t shy away from the difficult parts – just like the movies don’t rely on quick cuts or special effects to hide anything. The filmmakers openly discuss disagreements, a $6 million budget scare right before filming began, and even silly requests from the studio, like asking Keanu Reeves to shave his beard. While the interviews occasionally veer into self-praise, the documentary ultimately reveals why *John Wick* is so much better than other action films: the people behind it are dedicated to creating the highest quality action possible, no matter how challenging.

5. Eephus

The title *Eephus* perfectly captures the feel of this gentle, seemingly straightforward film. Much like the eephus pitch itself, the movie subtly draws you in and surprises you with unexpected turns. (The other names for that pitch – like blooper ball or parachute – would fit the film just as well.) The story centers around the last game played by two small-town baseball teams before their field is demolished. Over the course of nine innings, the director explores the bonds between teammates and opponents, using this ultimately unimportant game to reveal why baseball’s traditions and routines are so meaningful to people.

4. Mickey 17

Bong Joon-ho loves to take famous actors known for heroic roles and put them in bizarre, thought-provoking sci-fi stories, then completely subvert those heroic images. After turning Captain America into a villain, he’s now tackled Batman star Robert Pattinson in *Mickey 17*. Like Batman, Pattinson’s character, Mickey, lives multiple lives. He works as a disposable operative, completing dangerous missions vital for space colonization. Each time Mickey dies, a new body is created – he’s currently on his 17th version. However, a mistake leads to an 18th copy running around. While *Mickey 17* might not be as consistently strong as Bong’s acclaimed *Parasite*, that unevenness actually fits the story – a film about 18 nearly identical people should probably feel a little fragmented and unpredictable itself.

3. Friendship

Watching *Friendship* was easily the most memorable theatrical experience I’ve had this year. I’ve never heard an audience react so strongly to a comedy – there were constant sighs, gasps, and even shouts of disbelief! And it was all justified. The story centers on Tim Robinson’s increasingly awkward and painful downfall after a new friendship with a seemingly cool neighbor (Paul Rudd) falls apart during a disastrous get-together. Robinson perfectly plays a clueless character, Rudd is brilliantly cool, and the script, written by director Andrew DeYoung, explores male insecurities with such intensity that it’s physically uncomfortable – you might actually cringe so hard you pull a muscle.

2. Black Bag

Okay, wow. I went into *Black Bag* expecting a classic Agatha Christie-style mystery, but with a *lot* more heat, and honestly, it completely delivered – and then some. Michael Fassbender and Cate Blanchett play a married couple who also happen to be spies, and their seemingly perfect life gets turned upside down when Fassbender is tasked with investigating whether his wife is a double agent. Beyond the amazing supporting cast – seriously, Regé-Jean Page, Marisa Abela, Naomie Harris, and Pierce Brosnan all shine – what really grabbed me was how unpredictable the whole thing was. Every scene felt genuinely surprising, and it’s rare to find a movie that can keep you guessing like this one does. It’s a blast!

1. Sinners

So far in 2025, Ryan Coogler’s *Sinners* stands out as the best vampire movie, the best horror film, and a remarkably insightful look at American culture, music, and how we create legends around artists. It’s a bold, ambitious film that’s both frightening, alluring, and surprisingly funny – and it almost completely succeeds.

2025-09-17 19:33