Review: One Battle After Another - Could This Be the Film of the Year?

One Battle After Another is an American action-comedy film that premiered in theaters on September 25, 2025. It is based on the novel Vineland by Thomas Pynchon.

The film was written and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, known for There Will Be Blood (2007) and Magnolia (1999). The score was composed by Jonny Greenwood of Radiohead, a frequent collaborator of Anderson.

The cast includes Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, Benicio del Toro, Regina Hall, Teyana Taylor, and Chase Infiniti.

Bob Ferguson (Leonardo DiCaprio), a former revolutionary, is trying to live a quiet, off-the-grid life with his daughter Willa (Chase Infiniti) after years of activism with the group “French 75”, which carried out attacks against a militarized government.

He lives in constant paranoia, but his peace is broken when his old and dangerous enemy, Colonel Steven J. Lockjaw (Sean Penn), reemerges after sixteen years.

When Willa is kidnapped by the Colonel, Bob is forced out of retirement. He reunites with a group of former allies and revolutionaries for a frantic and dangerous mission, racing against time to rescue his daughter and finally face his past.

Official Trailer

Vineland, written by Thomas Pynchon and published in 1990, is a postmodern epic set in 1984. It follows the daughter of a hippie on her journey to uncover her past after the reappearance of an old enemy, federal prosecutor Brock Vond, who plans to use her as a pawn against her mother.

The novel blends political thriller elements with the tone of a television drama, exploring the legacy of 1960s counterculture and the influence of media and pop culture in 1980s America.

At nearly three hours long, the film stands as one of Paul Thomas Anderson’s most ambitious and, ironically, most accessible works. He transforms what could have been a straightforward action thriller into an epic, surreal odyssey.

The chaos is intentional. The film doesn’t guide the viewer, demanding close attention to piece together the puzzle surrounding the “French 75” group and its revolutionary tactics. The confusion is deliberate and mirrors the paranoia felt by the characters, who are trapped in a world of authoritarianism and extremism.

It is a story that never underestimates its audience. When the pacing slows down, it is only to bring more humanity to the characters before ramping up again with one of the most impressive car chase sequences in recent cinema.

Leonardo DiCaprio delivers a remarkable performance, balancing the paranoia of a former activist with an unexpectedly humorous side. His chemistry with Chase Infiniti forms the emotional core of the film.

Sean Penn’s portrayal of Colonel Lockjaw is so exaggerated and absurd that it becomes hilarious, fitting perfectly with the film’s tone. Benicio del Toro and Regina Hall, in their supporting roles, help enrich the story while adding sharp humor and creating characters that feel like exaggerated reflections of reality.

Jonny Greenwood’s score plays almost continuously and is essential in building an atmosphere of tension and unease. It acts as the film’s heartbeat, matching seamlessly with its fast-paced editing.

The critical response to the film has been overwhelmingly positive, with many reviewers calling it one of the best films of the year.

Rotten Tomatoes: 96% approval based on 333 critic reviews and 85% audience approval from over 2.5 million ratings.

IMDb: 8.4/10 based on 53,000 ratings.

Letterboxd: 4.4/5 stars from 147,000 reviews.

CinemaScore: Audience grade of A from post-screening surveys.

The collaboration between Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio, its action-thriller depth, and a powerhouse cast make this one of the standout releases of the year.

The film explores themes of fatherhood, the weight of an activist past, modern paranoia, and resistance against tyrannical governments.

If you are looking for a film that combines action, dark comedy, intense performances, and the unmistakable visual style of one of today’s greatest directors, One Battle After Another is an excellent choice.

See you next time!