One Battle After Another - Review: PTA’s Triumphant Return to Form

One Battle After Another (2025)

PTA’s Triumphant Return to Form

by Ray Manukay

★★★★★

Paul Thomas Anderson makes a triumphant return in the riveting and crowd-pleasing One Battle After Another. After the deeply heartfelt, personal, but uneven Licorice Pizza, Anderson delivers arguably one of the best movies in recent memory. At the center of the film is a hilarious, sympathetic, and surprisingly moving performance from Leonardo DiCaprio in one of his best roles.

🎬 Production Credits

Director: Paul Thomas Anderson

Writer: Paul Thomas Anderson

Cinematography: Michael Bauman

Editor: Andy Jurgensen

Music: Jonny Greenwood

Based on: Vineland by Thomas Pynchon

The film is an impressive, thematic and technological accomplishment that effortlessly keeps the audience glued to the screen. — Ray Manukay

The Director's Vision

The plot follows a revolutionist on the run with his teenage daughter. Unlike his overly complicated and almost painfully heady Inherent Vice, One Battle After Another plays as an audience-friendly, action-filled chase sequence.

💡 Fun Facts

• This marks the second time Paul Thomas Anderson has adapted a Thomas Pynchon novel.
• The film was shot on 35mm VistaVision, a high-resolution format used for classic epics.
• Leonardo DiCaprio performed many of his own driving stunts during the intense chase sequences.

The Performances

• Leonardo DiCaprio: A "dad-core" masterpiece balancing frantic paranoia with deep paternal love.
• Sean Penn: A likely award-season turn as the villainous foil to DiCaprio's revolutionist.
• The Ensemble: Excellent supporting work from Regina Hall, Benicio Del Toro, Chase Infiniti, and Teyana Taylor.

✅ Pros

• DiCaprio’s best work in years.
• Highly accessible and thrilling action.
• Visually stunning technological accomplishment.

❌ Cons

• At nearly three hours, the runtime is a serious commitment.

Full Review

Paul Thomas Anderson makes a triumphant return with the riveting and crowd-pleasing One Battle After Another. After the heartfelt but uneven Licorice Pizza, Anderson delivers arguably one of the best movies in recent memory. At the center of the film is a hilarious, sympathetic, and surprisingly moving performance from Leonardo DiCaprio in one of his career-best roles.

Loosely based on the Thomas Pynchon novel Vineland, the plot follows a revolutionist on the run with his teenage daughter. Unlike the overly complicated and almost painfully heady Inherent Vice (also a Pynchon adaptation), One Battle After Another plays as an audience-friendly, uncomplicated, action-filled chase. It is an impressive thematic and technological accomplishment that effortlessly keeps the audience glued to the screen.

The story is remarkably timely, weaving in current-day themes and issues without losing its momentum. I would be remiss not to mention the other excellent performances, including Regina Hall, Benicio Del Toro, Chase Infiniti, Teyana Taylor, and a likely award-season turn by a villainous Sean Penn.

One Battle After Another is simply one of the best movies of the year and is worthy of every accolade it will likely receive. It is a signature entry in Anderson's impressive filmography that demands repeat viewings. Immediately add it to your queue, you won't regret it.

Read the Full Review on Letterboxd

🏆 FINAL VERDICT

★★★★★

One Battle After Another is easily one of Paul Thomas Anderson's signature films. It is a masterpiece worthy of every accolade and is destined for repeat viewings. Immediately add it to your queue; you won't regret it.