One Battle After Another is a daring genre-bender — unmarketable by Hollywood standards — that demands to be seen in theaters for its subtle audacity and monstrous vision.
That vision is Paul Thomas Anderson’s, and he has outdone himself again.
Magnolia was a chapter in my life. That film cracked something open in me back in 1999 — a time and place in cinema that feels unrepeatable. Since then, PTA’s melodramas of human fragility have been hit or miss. You can’t really re-bottle the moment frogs fall from the sky to the beat of Aimee Mann.
But One Battle After Another is something else entirely. Anderson’s latest expulsion of raw emotion floored me, picked me up, and hurled me into the stratosphere.
We follow revolutionary Pat (Leonardo DiCaprio), his lover Perfidia (Teyana Taylor), and their daughter Willa (Chase Infiniti) after Perfidia’s betrayal sparks a 16-year manhunt by the relentless Capt. Lockjaw (Sean Penn). Now living as Bob, Pat is hiding out in the Southwest with Willa when Lockjaw resurfaces and triggers a wild chase through eccentric subcultures. From weed-growing nuns to a Santa-worshipping secret society, this runaway story becomes a reflection on rebellion and fierce loyalty.
In a nutshell, this is a movie made only for the movies.
These are odd people with odd but fascinating intentions. Facial expressions give away most of their secrets. Sean Penn’s high-shoulder stride might be more evil than his character. The music is tonally flexible from dissonant piano to anxious jazz. You get two edge-of-your-seat chase scenes for the price of one.
One Battle After Another is one for the ages — nodding to Bonnie and Clyde, echoing the fugitive melancholy of Running on Empty, and throwing them both in an incinerator. In the end, this is unmistakably PTA’s creation: wild, unclassifiable, and beating with a heart too big for any genre to contain.
One Battle After Another (2025) ****1/2
Reely Bernie 
I watched this movie in the theatre a few days ago. I’m no movie expert, but IGN gave it a 10, and since I trust all things IGN, I decided to check it out 😅. You’re right. It can’t be placed in any genre. I found it weird. There were parts I loved and parts I didn’t. I especially loved the comic exchange between Leonardo DiCaprio and the resistance telephone operator. I thought DiCaprio was hilarious throughout tbh. The movie had this bleakly funny aspect to it which I liked.
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It’s been a while since I called a movie a “movie.” There are characters doing odd things that I would never do, and both sides of the good/evil and political spectrum are flawed, repelling, and so off-putting that I don’t think opinions are necessary. What is necessary is an experience, and that was exactly what PTA created. I laughed, I cringed, I sat on the edge of my seat. I loved it. I also read and enjoy IGN. A 10 might be a bit high, but I can’t think of any other movie that has stirred me as much as this one. And, I mean that in a good way!
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Thanks or this review, Bernie. Yeah, Magnolia is one of the all time greats. Anderson’s been a bit off my radar of late, but I must look into this.
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Bernie, I am always happy to hear someone has had a great cinematic experience, which you clearly did here. Mrs. B and I will wait for this one to “come home” instead of seeing it at the theatre. I have seen a LOT of praise for this movie. I admittedly get a bit skeptical when there are soooo many glowing reviews for a film, as Mrs. B and I have both been “burned” in the past by highly-praised films which left us much less than praise-worthy for them. Perhaps, that is due to our increased expectations which can’t possibly be met. However, based on your review here this does sound like a movie that deserves our investment.
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Hey, Bruce! I know it’s cliche and overstated, but this is one for the theater. I don’t think it will make an impact at home. However, I totally understand your sentiments, and I hope you still give it a try either way. It is like nothing I’ve seen before. I can’t stop thinking about it, and I want to see it again soon. Steven Spielberg saw it three times in a row, he was so blown away! Happy Monday, good friend! I hope it’s a good week for you and Mrs. B!
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Hey ol’ buddy!
I caught ‘One Battle After Another’ last Thursday on release day. Being as much a PTA fan as you are, I hadn’t been this excited for a cinema release since the Dylan biopic last year.
After reading your glowing review, I hesitated to chime in since my reaction was worlds apart. Personally, I gravitate more toward PTA’s Bergman/Welles-inspired works – The Phantom Thread, The Master, There Will Be Blood. I’ve never been as taken with Magnolia (as you clearly are), Inherent Vice, or, sadly, this latest outing.
Don’t get me wrong – there are moments of brilliance. The car chase over the hills near the end and the tense sequence involving the stepdaughter’s capture show PTA’s flair for unpredictability. But overall, I just couldn’t invest in anyone on screen. None of the characters felt redeemable – also they came across as cardboard cut-outs, defined more by abstract ideologies than human depth, which perhaps was the point. And while I get that the film is aiming to sketch a polarized, extremist future, the representation felt shallow and overly schematic. That’s not to take anything away from Sean Penn’s wonderful acting here (as you mentioned) and DiCaprio as always very solid.
To me, it almost played like a PTA homage to Tarantino – particularly Death Proof. But instead of digging deeper into the material, it settled for surface-level thrills leaving it equally as hollow as Tarantino’s effort. The soundtrack didn’t help either: those Magnolia-style piano nudges struck me as monotonous and distracting, more of an intrusion than an accompaniment.
For me, the real test is whether a film stays with me after the credits roll. One Battle… didn’t stick at all – by the time I left the cinema. But hey, that’s the game – we don’t have to line up on every film.
Anyway, hope your week’s off to a great start. Broncos tonight, right? Cheers man.
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Matt! Thank you for chiming in on this one. This dialogue is why we have movies and had Siskel & Ebert, haha! I can’t stop thinking about “One Battle After Another,” and I can’t wait to see it again. As I reflect back on it, I’m still mesmerized by the introductory montage of events that set up every character’s (odd) intentions in garbs and factions I would never want to be a part of. Even the lefty revolutionary concept contradicts itself as it uses so much violence to fight violence and border patrol. I’m with you – none of these characters are relatable, and I found it fascinating to live vicariously through them in my safe seat in Denver, Colorado. The drives, propulsions, and obsessions each character saturates in is intense enough. The physical, addictive, and emotional escapes they endure are the cherry on top. It is completely otherworldly – not meant for messages, Christian viewpoints (I only write this because a friend of mine couldn’t stop looking at the movie in this scope, and I think his biases blocked him from enjoying a movie), or a lesson. It is all feelings. I empathized for pathetic Leo and imploded over Sean Penn’s brutal character. I liked how it was political without being political. I LOVED the anxious score! I, too, felt like it was an ode to buddy Tarantino, and I didn’t think there was anything wrong with that. (I’m curious to see what Tarantino thought.) Lastly, Benicio. What a wonderful man and medium in between both extremes.
A great, polarizing flick that we can agree to disagree on.
Broncos are in a have-to-win situation already. They suck on national tv. Can’t wait but dreading it too.
Cheers, mate!
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Wow, the movie clearly ticked all your boxes and then some if you’re still thinking about it and even wanting to see it again. Once was definitely enough for me—at least for the time being.
Regarding your comments about their extremist ideologies and actions, I have to say I was disappointed – and frankly left with a sour taste in my mouth—by how PTA ended things. That final “aren’t the radical leftists sweet” send-off, with the letter being read to his stepdaughter, felt cloying and disingenuous. The mother was a f&/king nightmare (and that’s putting it politely), yet the film cast her as a kind of quasi-heroine in contrast to the deranged, demonic “Penn” character.
My worry is that young, impressionable Gen Z’s and even Millennials won’t interpret it through our lens of “every character is pathetic.” Instead, they’ll likely walk away cheering, as Leonardo says, “¡Viva la revolución!” These audiences are already steeped in this kind of rhetoric through social media, education, and community circles—so the film risks reinforcing, rather than interrogating, that indoctrination.
I also disagree with your view that the film is “otherworldly,” except perhaps in how cartoonishly the right is portrayed. Sorry, but like your friend, I found this film resoundingly political on nearly every level. Even if PTA’s intent wasn’t overtly partisan, it’s hard to see how that holds, given the way the entire story is steeped in ideology and political violence.
By the way, I caught the Broncos game last night—they played brilliantly. I was happy for my Colorado friend. Cheers, Bernie.
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So glad you saw a Broncos win. They did play a lousy, quarterback-less team, but we will take the win. Now, if they could upset the Super Bowl Champ Eagles next week…
In response to your comments, I sincerely left the theater thinking PTA “amped,” “exacerbated,” and even satirized the entire border revolutionary culture, and it was entertaining because it felt like a “movie” and nothing more. Speaking to a few of our Gen-Z friends and senior class students who saw the movie, the outcome was mostly “that was a masterclass in filmmaking.” Political influence and statements were never mentioned. Again, I saw characters I’ve never seen before (both repugnant and genuinely flawed) in a world I had never seen before. I don’t think most of it is possible, but the elements of a movie world are stellar. “Pulp Fiction,” for example has all of the components of human absurdity, but by putting them all in a ball and shaking them up in the span of two days, you remember it’s a glorious movie, and a perfect one at that.
There is a wonderful book called “Myth & the Movies” that describes the blurry line between what is intentionally documented as real life in a film and the genius of being able to instill myth into that filter as well. The perfect example is Oliver Stone’s “JFK.” Factually skewed but emotionally on point, the movie is as real and as mythical as it gets.
I absolutely stand by my descriptor of “One Battle After Another” as otherworldly, and I’m appreciative of your opinion.
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JFK the movie has done more to hinder people’s understanding of what really happened than the U.S. government’s own suppression of information. A film leaves a powerful imprint on viewers’ minds, yet much of what’s presented in that movie is clearly a series of gross mistruths. To say I’m incensed by JFK (the movie) is putting it mildly. And the suggestion that films which claim to be factual, yet manipulate emotion, are somehow a “good” thing. I’m going to leave our discussion about this – and the PTA movie – here.
I’m still hoping to get to see the Long Walk based on the Stephen King book. You seen it?
As for the Broncos game: the Bengals went in 2–1, which is impressive form for a quarterback-less team. I can’t wait to see that Eagles game—hopefully it’s broadcast here on ESPN. Have a great day friend.
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This will be my last point on this matter as well: I can’t emphasize enough that – like Roger Ebert (RIP) – I believe movies are for feelings, and I look for facts in the library. In my opinion, his review for “JFK” is one of the best reviews I have ever read. https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/great-movie-jfk-1991
There are well-researched and stunning documentaries on the JFK assassination, but no MOVIE can capture the paranoia, mystery, and sense of urgency quite like Oliver Stone’s “JFK.”
I’m hoping for the upset of the season next week.
You have a great day too, friend.
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Matt, one more thing: I really do love and respect the conversations polarizing movies like this one encourage. I was in the minority regarding “Anora,” but, wow, what a dialogue-stirrer. I still can’t believe it won Best Picture though! Yikes. “One Battle After Another” probably won’t get much attention at all. Maybe Sean Penn for Best Actor? PTA is like an indie epic filmmaker, hehe. Have a great rest of your week, Matt!
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I’ll add this and no more….
‘One Battle..’ they say is PTA’s best received movie and most accessible. It goes without saying – it definitely ticks all the radical leftist ‘affirmative action’ boxes of the Academy. I forecast it will do very well in Award season.
Anora was a ‘shocker’. Such a deplorable – egocentric and nothing movie. We agree on that one. Haha Cheers man.
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If that is what the radical leftists think is commendable, then the joke’s on them, Matt.
Cheers, mate.
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Feliz Sunday to you ol’ Sport,
I was thinking of your very comment here when I was watching Shapiro shred this movie apart for being basically “Antifa: The Movie.” In the emotional comments – mostly echoing Shapiro’s criticisms and mine – there were a some voices that reflected your opinion: that PTA never intended it to be pro–radical leftist; on the contrary. Take this comment: “This movie makes fun of lefties throughout. The main characters, if you’re paying attention, are not glorified but instead are portrayed as low-life criminals. This film does not portray the left as great, and I believe this is really going over everybody’s head here.”
That’s where I think you’re coming from, Bernie, and it’s a legitimate argument – although I still think the movie is largely forgettable, despite the persistent political controversy.
Anyway, I’m looking forward to the Broncos vs. Eagles game at 12 p.m. here. I’ve never really followed the NFL closely, but you might’ve made me a Broncos fan. Have you been to any games? Are you a lifelong fan?
I’m having a very lazy Sunday here (no gym—woohoo!)—lots of MLB and NFL. Might even order in – Yippee!
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The movie is neither pro-left or pro-right. It is just a movie and a fascinating one at that. It still holds a 95 on Metacritic probably for being very entertaining. There are no heroes, and whether you root for or loathe these colorful characters with intentions very different than ours—that is a prerogative. I watched with my jaw dropped, enjoying every bizarre, funny, and anxiously intense scene unfold before my eyes. You do what you will with it. We have stared our views. I am done with this dialogue on “One Battle After Another.”
Now, regarding the Broncos, I’m a fan—born and raised. John Elway was my hero back in the day, and other than Peyton Manning, we haven’t had a QB like him. Bo Nix is a good hope to bet on, but he’s still young and makes goofy mistakes. We are playing the Super Bowl-winning Eagles this morning. I hope the Broncos at least keep it close! Thank you for watching! I forgot who your world and Premier League teams are. Is your son still playing? Enjoy the game, Matt!
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Spectacular comeback from 17 – 3 down. Congratulations. Last quarter was nail biting stuff. An aside, the arbitration of this game leaves a lot to be desired. Enjoy the rest of your Sunday friend.
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Matt, you must be good luck, my friend! An excruciating first 3 quarters redeemed by a redemptive defense and QB! Lots of fun to watch. The Broncs are definitely still in this. Who do you follow in Premier?
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I couldn’t agree more, my friend. Until the final quarter, it was one of the most boring and frustrating games I’d seen. But that last-quarter payoff was well and truly worth it. I hope they go on a winning streak and mix it with the big boys come end of the season.
Ahh, I don’t really follow any one team in the Premier League, though I’ve always had a soft spot for Leeds, Tottenham, and Fulham. You’re a big Arsenal fan, right? They’ve been playing some fantastic football over the past couple of years — great coach, too! Internationally, I root for Colombia and Australia, of course. Both teams have already qualified for next year’s World Cup. Hurrah!
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I root for Colombia through you! And, yeah, some past piano student brothers from London turned me into an Arsenal fan. They are definitely top notch this year. Speaking of London, the Broncos just arrived there to prep for a game against the NY Jets at Tottenham! Small world 😉 Have a great week, Matt!
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So you get the Arsenal games free to air where you are? We get them on ESPN here, but these days, honestly, I don’t watch as much English football as I used to.
Oh, that’s exciting about the Bronco’s London game. I noticed the NFL had another game in Tottenham the weekend gone. I caught parts of it, and the atmosphere – much like the climate over there – was such a downer.
Are there any good movies you got lined up to see in the next few weeks (apart from reliving your favourite Halloween ones)? Speaking of which I’ll have to dust off – the original Halloween and Nightmare on Elm Street (the 1st one).
Anyway’s cheerio man – kick ar$e and take names. Lol
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I wish we had access to Premier Leage games. Its a random, miracle Prime game, once in a while. My bucket list is to see an Arsenal game at Emirates in the near future.
My horror-movie-filled October Watchlist includes SOCIETY, CURE, THE SKIN I LIVE IN, RAW, THE COFFEE TABLE, and THE DEVILS. Kind of an eclectic mix. I’m only watching movies I haven’t seen before this year. For my annual “Horror Night” at my place, I might show WEAPONS, which I did see and enjoy and kind of want to see my family’s reaction to its madness, haha!
LOVE the original HALLOWEEN and “NIGHTMARE/ELM ST.”
I love this time of year, Matt!
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That’s a shame about the minimal coverage of the EPL. Oh, speaking of Arsenal – have you read ‘Fever Pitch’ by Nick Hornby? I did many moons ago. It’s considered a must-read for any Arsenal fan. He also wrote ‘About a Boy’, which was adapted into one of my favourite romantic comedies starring Hugh Grant.
You’ve got so much horror lined up to watch this month, Bernie—hehe! Where do you find all these movies? How do you track them down?
‘Weapons’ is a great choice, which of course we’ve spoken about it at length. My kids were absolutely in raptures watching that film. I found the second viewing much more enjoyable than the first. That and ‘Together’ are in my top thirty or so horror movies, I reckon. On the subject of horror films – have you seen The Autopsy of Jane Doe and Hereditary, the latter starring the fabulous Toni Collette? I reckon both those films are so underrated. Also, I loved ‘Mandy’, which leans more toward supernatural horror – Cage’s best performance, in my opinion, since Leaving Las Vegas. Until next time, buddy.
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Hey, Matt! I’ve seen both “Fever Pitch” movies, but I haven’t read the book. LOVE “About a Boy.” And, I have seen and enjoyed all the horror movies you mentioned. It’s funny how I recall seeing all of those movies right before getting married. I still watch the genre, especially in October, but the married life with kids has definitely reduced the number of fright flicks. Out of all the ones you mentioned, I agree – “Mandy” is a standout. So tonally bizarre. Almost like a hallucination. Nic seems to find his way into these successful indie flicks. I just didn’t like “Longlegs.” It bored me.
Do you have any Halloween or Dia de los Muertos traditions?
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You won’t believe what was on cable when I got home yesterday — right after reading your message — About a Boy! It’s one of those movies that’s almost impossible to turn off, even if you only catch a single scene. I always end up watching it through to the end — like yesterday. There isn’t a dull moment in it.
A couple of days ago, I finally watched another romantic comedy I’d been meaning to see for ages — 500 Days of Summer. I’d first come across it through that fan-made video featuring The Smiths’ “There Is a Light That Never Goes Out,” which includes a great scene from the film. I found 500 Days quite a realistic yet entertaining take on early adult love. Have you seen it? It’s not in ‘About a Boy’ territory, but it’s a solid movie.
I can definitely understand how having a young family might cramp your horror-watching style! I’m glad to read you also hold Mandy in such high regard. I’m hoping to watch it again, this time with the kids this Halloween season, if I can track it down. I also read your Longlegs article — probably one I won’t track down. Cage, like Liam Neeson, seems compelled to say yes to almost every project offered to him, despite having serious acting chops. If only he had Daniel Day-Lewis’s discipline and selectivity. Speaking of which, I see Day-Lewis has come out of early retirement.
As for Halloween traditions — Colombia, much like Mexico, really goes all out for both Halloween and Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). The kids do the usual trick-or-treat rounds (always with parents in tow) and wear costumes to school ala E.T.. Personally, I’m not that into it, especially with all the superstitions that many Colombians take to heart. I’d never go near a Ouija board, for instance — the spiritual realm of the dead is not something I want to mess with, hehe. How about your family — is it a big deal where you are?
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October/Halloween just means horror movies for me, Matt. We’ll do the basic trick ‘r treating in our neighborhood, but nothing special. I do blast horror movie music near our front door, haha!
Go Broncos. Early 7:30am kickoff at Tottenham.
I hope you are watching. You are good luck!
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I’ll definitely be tuning in – 830am here. I’ll be switching between the Chicago marathon and the game. Giddyup!
Made me laugh – that whole blaring horror music at your front door. Great idea.
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Brutal game to watch. Broncos are notorious at giving the game away. Holding penalty in our own end zone = safety. Middle schoolers know not to ever hold in the end zone.
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A very ugly defensive game. Both teams were not great ambassadors in London based on how poorly they played. Broncos will have to find some 4 quarter form if they are to have a chance this season. At least I continue my unblemished record as new supporter of your lot hehe I’m 2 – 0
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You’re still good luck, but, yes, such an inept offense will not be sustainable for the rest of the season. They need to figure out their run game quick, and Bo needs to get his confidence back! Tough trap game in Denver next week.
Enjoy your Sunday! I hope it’s a good week for you, Matt!
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They can’t play more than one tip top quarter. They have to string 4 solid quarters together regularly. Since I’m a newbie, I won’t even pretend to discuss tactics and what not. I’ll just nod my head for now. Have a great week also Bernie. Byes…
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You know frogs are an oddity…could be a good omen or sign of an oncoming plague. Really makes you think…but no barbecue.
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There will be no barbecue this year.
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I watched the trailer for this on YouTube a couple of days ago.
It looks like a very intriguing film.
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Impossible to categorize or pinpoint emotionally. I hope people like these don’t exist, but I have a feeling they do. Happy almost October, Dracul!
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I watched a clip of a short interview members of the cast gave.
When asked what the film was about, they all said it’s hard to describe.
That it really was a film in a category all by itself.
Happy almost October to you.
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Nice mate. Glad to see that old PTA is still at the top of his game. Can’t wait to see it sometime. Thx for the review 🤘🏼🫶🏼
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It’s a repeat like Magnolia was back in the Spokane days, mate. I think it’ll get even better with each viewing. Love you, bud.
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That’s so cool. I always think of you every time I see or hear a reference to Magnolia. Always chasing that feeling of movies from that time with you. Love you too man 👊🏼
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