Connor Spellecy
Contributing Writer
Graphic from “One Battle After Another” website
“One Battle After Another,” the newest film from director Paul Thomas Anderson, premiered on Sept. 26, 2025. The film proves itself to be one of Anderson’s finest works.
The film is Anderson’s most expensive yet, with a budget of $130-175 million, which is very apparent in the numerous action sequences. It is also his highest-grossing film, making $212.7 million at the box office.
The film follows former revolutionary Bob Ferguson, played by Leonardo DiCaprio (“Titanic”) as he looks for his daughter Willa, played by Chase Infiniti (“Presumed Innocent”), who is on the run from Colonel Steve Lockjaw, played by Sean Penn (“Mystic River”), Bob’s former nemesis. Willa’s karate sensei, Sergio, played by Benicio del Toro (“The Usual Suspects”), assists Bob along the way.
DiCaprio’s performance as Bob Ferguson is comedic with a layer of sincerity underneath. In the second act, he is portrayed as more of a comedic relief character, which is unlike the first act. However, as the film goes on, DiCaprio’s performance reveals more and more of Bob’s genuine love for Willa, and the same goes for Infiniti’s performance.
Penn also delivers a very entertaining performance. Anderson makes Steve Lockjaw an antagonist that viewers should laugh at, but Penn also delivers his lines with an added intensity, especially near the climax of the film.
With a runtime of nearly three hours, the film could easily get tiring. However, the film is very well-paced, making it feel faster than it actually is.
Even though the pacing is well done, the first act begins to drag on after a while, even with its length of only 34 minutes. The film picks up again when the second act begins, and shows how Bob has changed 16 years after the events of the first act.
The film was nominated for 13 Oscars and won six, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay.
The film has been praised by audiences for its political relevance, as well as its comedy. Audiences and critics alike have also praised Teyana Taylor’s performance as Perfidia Beverly Hills, who serves as a clear representation of the film’s themes of revolution and power, while also heavily influencing the lives of other characters and allowing conversations to be held among viewers about the complexity of her character.
The film has a 94% on Rotten Tomatoes, a 7.7 out of 10 on IMDb, and received high praise from NPR.
“One Battle After Another” is rated R for language, violence, sexual content, and drug use. The film can be watched on HBO Max and Prime Video.
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