Story Overview
This latest ride from Paul Thomas Anderson unspools like a fever dream — violent, absurd, heartfelt. One Battle After Another loosely adapts Thomas Pynchon’s Vineland, centering on Bob Ferguson (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his tangled past.
Opening flashback: Bob was once part of a radical revolutionary ensemble called the French 75. During a mission gone wrong, his partner Perfidia (Teyana Taylor) betrays the team, disappears, and Bob flees with their infant daughter, Willa.
Sixteen years later: Bob lives off-grid, surviving in paranoia. Willa (Chase Infiniti) is now a teenager. When an old nemesis (played by Sean Penn) resurfaces and abducts Willa, Bob’s quiet life explodes into chaos.
The film jumps between big action set pieces, deep emotional beats, and political satire, exploring how cycles of rebellion and authority collide.
Visually and narratively ambitious, it’s not just a thriller — it’s a canvas for social critique, family drama, and kinetic set pieces.
What Critics Are Saying
Critics are scrambling for superlatives — and for good reason.
Rotten Tomatoes shows a 98% Tomatometer rating, calling it “Paul Thomas Anderson’s most thematically rich and entertaining work yet.”
Roger Ebert’s review praises its “propulsive, fun, and ultimately moving” storytelling.
Nerdist hails it as a “capital-M Movie” with “big performances, big sequences, and big ideas”— and warns it demands digestion.
A few critical voices sound caution: The Bulwark notes the film oscillates between thrilling and repetitive, occasionally leaning on its themes too obviously.
Many reviews highlight Teyana Taylor’s force-of-nature presence, DiCaprio’s daring shift into chaotic vulnerability, and Sean Penn’s eccentric turn as a dark foil.
Overall, the consensus tilts strongly toward praise — an audacious, unruly film that hits both hard and wide.
What Audiences Think
Unlike films that divide crowd and critic, One Battle After Another is generating broad buzz.
Social media reactions brim with excitement, calling it “hilarious, captivating, insane”.
Early box office numbers are promising: its U.S. opening weekend pulled in $22.4 million, with global numbers nearing $48.5 million, making it Paul Thomas Anderson’s biggest opening yet.
Warner Bros. reportedly budgeted between $130–$175 million, making this Anderson’s most expensive film to date.
Spielberg called it “insane”, saying there’s more action in its first hour than in all of some other films he’s seen.
Thus far, audience and box office momentum seem to be aligning with critical acclaim.
Suited Audiences: Who Will Love It
One Battle After Another carries enough narrative heft and stylistic daring that it won’t hit the same for everybody. But for the right viewer, it’s electric.
| If you like… | You’ll likely enjoy this film |
|---|---|
| Visceral political stories with moral ambiguity | The film doesn’t preach a single side—it satirizes both extremities. |
| Big ensemble casts & ambitious direction | PTA assembled top-tier talent and takes chances with scale. |
| Character-driven, emotionally grounded arcs | Beneath the explosions, it’s fatherhood, betrayal, identity. |
| Films that bend genre lines | It weaves action, satire, family drama & political thriller. |
| Reflective, provocative cinema | It doesn’t wrap everything neatly—questions will linger afterward. |
It’s less ideal for someone seeking light escapism or tightly plotted blockbusters. Its length (170 min) and thematic density demand patience.
Unknown & Intriguing Details
A few behind-the-scenes nuggets enhance the viewing experience:
This marks the first time in decades Anderson set a film in contemporary times.
Actor Chase Infiniti (playing Willa) makes a bold breakout performance — many are calling this her star-making role.
PTA allowed test screenings for the first time since Boogie Nights; based on feedback, he trimmed 8–10 minutes.
Though based on Pynchon’s Vineland, the film takes a loose approach — themes and character archetypes adapt more than plot.
The production is dedicated to Adam Somner, Anderson’s longtime collaborator and first assistant director, who passed away in 2024.
These choices reflect Anderson’s willingness to evolve and take risks — always a hallmark of his best work.
In a cinematic year crowded with spectacle and franchise fatigue, One Battle After Another stands out as both a roller-coaster spectacle and a weighty reflection on the cycles of power, resistance, and legacy. For those patient and curious enough to ride it, the rewards are electric.
