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 night pick. 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. It’s a father-daughter story wrapped in a high-stakes chase, revolutionary drama, and a whole lot of paranoia.

The film stars Leonardo DiCaprio as Bob, a washed-up ex-revolutionary living off the grid with his fiercely independent daughter, Willa (played by newcomer Chase Infiniti). Their quiet, if chaotic, life is upended when Bob’s old nemesis resurfaces after 16 years, and Willa goes missing. What follows is a tense, emotional, and often explosive journey as both father and daughter are forced to confront the ghosts of Bob’s radical past.

With a runtime of 162 minutes, this is a long ride—but one filled with intense action, emotional depth, and a surprising amount of humor. The cast is stacked: Sean Penn delivers a chilling performance as the villainous Steven J. Lockjaw, while Teyana Taylor, Regina Hall, and Benicio del Toro round out the ensemble with standout roles. The film also features a powerful score by Jonny Greenwood, recorded with the London Contemporary Orchestra, adding to the film’s sweeping, cinematic feel.

Visually, One Battle After Another is a treat. Shot on 35mm VistaVision film, it’s got that old-school grandeur with a modern edge. It’s also Anderson’s most expensive film to date, and it shows—every frame is packed with detail, from gritty desert hideouts to chaotic urban raids.

This movie is definitely for fans of Anderson’s previous work, especially if you liked Inherent Vice or There Will Be Blood. It’s also a must-see for anyone who enjoys politically charged thrillers, father-daughter dynamics, or just wants to see DiCaprio play a paranoid stoner dad on the run. If you’re more into straightforward storytelling or shy away from films with heavy political themes, this might not be your cup of tea.

But if you’re up for a bold, messy, and deeply human story about resistance, redemption, and family, One Battle After Another is worth the ride. Just maybe don’t expect to fully unpack it all in one sitting.