One Battle After Another

There is a list in most film lovers’ heads of filmmakers whose new movies you’d drop everything to see. For me, that list includes Spielberg, Scorsese, Tarantino, and PTA — Paul Thomas Anderson. The reason is simple: with these filmmakers, when their film arrives, you can basically announce it as “a new classic has entered the building,” because we know the level of artistry we’re going to get. Today though, we’re here to talk about just one of those titans, PTA, and his new film One Battle After Another. And guess what? It’s pure cinema.

Bon (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Perfidia (Teyana Taylor) are not your typical couple in love. Instead of going on fun dates like bowling or grabbing ice cream, they’re busy fueling the next revolution. Alongside their group, The French 75, they seek to disrupt the system. But during one such mission, Perfidia’s luck runs out. A robbery goes wrong, she’s captured, and to save herself she begins ratting out members of The French 75. This betrayal forces Bon into hiding with their baby, as the group comes under attack.

The man leading the charge is Col. Lockjaw (Sean Penn), who seems to have a particular fixation with Bon and Perfidia’s daughter, Willa (Chase Infiniti). For sixteen years, Bon and Willa manage a quiet life in hiding. But those days are over — they’ve been found. Now, another protection plan begins. Helping them this time are Deandra (Regina Hall), who guides Willa, and Sensei Sergio (Benicio Del Toro), who aids Bon. The chase is on once again. But when Willa falls into Lockjaw’s hands, the question becomes: can Bon reach her before it’s too late?

Written by Paul Thomas Anderson and inspired by Thomas Pynchon’s novel Vineland, One Battle After Another could be called a timely film, but that label alone would be selling it short. Anderson has things to say about the world today, weaving them through two timelines with a dark, absurdist edge — creating a layered commentary on politics and power. But it isn’t just the ideas that stand out. The movie looks stunning, with big, bold action sequences and relentless tension that keeps you locked in. All in all, this is a film of abundance, with Anderson crafting something both urgent and dazzling — a movie that feels made for the now.

One Battle After Another stands out for many reasons, but especially for its complexity, urgency, and emotional weight. It’s wild, dizzying, and brilliant — a razor-sharp satire wrapped in cinematic spectacle, grounded by an emotional core. As always with Anderson, the cast is flawless. Sean Penn may give one of the best performances of his career — which is saying a lot. Chase Infiniti, in her debut, is unforgettable. And of course, DiCaprio once again delivers near perfection. Add in Anderson’s eye for detail, stunning cinematography, a score by Jonny Greenwood, and a story that balances chaos with clarity, and you have what can only be described as, another PTA masterpiece.