I haven’t seen all of director Paul Thomas Anderson’s films—I’ve only seen three out of the 10—but I feel confident in declaring that his most recent film, One Battle After Another, is his magnum opus.
Loosely based on author Thomas Pynchon’s novel Vineland, the movie One Battle After Another tells the story of father-daughter duo Bob (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Willa Ferguson (Chase Infiniti). Bob, who was a member of a revolutionary group known as the French 75, is forced out of his habit of smoking pot and drinking when 17-year-old Willa is kidnapped by the French 75’s former nemesis: Colonel Steven J. Lockjaw (Sean Penn). After discovering that Willa’s existence jeopardizes his chances of joining the Christmas Adventurers Club—a White supremacist group—Lockjaw stops at nothing to abduct her. Bob and Willa must confront their pasts and work to reconcile their differences, all while the noticeably absent shadow of Willa’s mother, Perfidia Beverly Hills (Teyana Taylor), looms above them.
Although One Battle After Another has a runtime of nearly three hours, its perfect pacing and engaging plot kept me hooked throughout. With a seamless blend of action, humor, and hard-hitting emotion, the film carried an energy and excitement that I haven’t felt in the movie theater for a long time.
The most standout aspect of Anderson’s masterpiece was the acting. Of course, with DiCaprio as the leading man, one can expect his performance to be nothing less than Oscar-worthy—which it was. Although DiCaprio is known mainly for his portrayal of dramatic characters, Anderson lets DiCaprio’s comedic timing shine. DiCaprio nails the frantic, passionate essence of Bob. Infiniti, his on-screen daughter, matched his propensity for acting in every scene, playing Willa with heart and confidence. Upon researching the film after my first viewing, I was shocked to discover this was Infiniti’s first movie role; she is sure to become one of Hollywood’s greatest.
What really surprised me was Penn’s unnerving performance as the satanic Lockjaw. Whenever on-screen, Penn embodied the ridicule and unintentional humor of the racist officer, often making me laugh with every line of dialogue due to its absurd delivery. If there were an Oscar for best walk, Penn would win by a landslide. Additionally, the rest of the supporting cast was fantastic: Benicio Del Toro as the resourceful and quick-witted Sensei Sergio St. Carlos, Regina Hall as Deandra, and Teyana Taylor as the fiery Perfidia Beverly Hills—the spirit of the revolution.
Anderson doesn’t shy away from political themes; instead, he tackles them head-on, delving into the political atmosphere of America with military shootouts, anxiety-inducing car chases, riots, and immigration center escapes (including Sensei’s “Latino Harriet Tubman situation”). Even the concept of a White supremacist group, compiled of government officials, seems to be a direct attack on the current presidency.
Above all, Anderson ensures the story doesn’t lose its heart under the harrowing action sequences. Through a heart-wrenching embrace between Bob and Willa and an impactful voiceover from Perfidia at the end, the film’s emotional core is deeply resonant and sentimental, reminding viewers of the importance of family in times of crisis.
Along with its prescient themes, One Battle After Another is a visual and sonic masterpiece. The cinematography is stunning, particularly in the final desert chase scene. The score by Jonny Greenwood—a frequent collaborator with Paul Thomas Anderson—perfectly captures the tension and tenderness of the film, especially in the main theme. The couplet of piano and strings creates a feeling of transcendence, which is wonderfully placed in certain moments of the movie.
There’s no other way to say it: One Battle After Another is an essential, must-see film. Seeing it in theaters twice was a cinematic experience I forever cherish. It is undoubtedly one of the most important films I’ve ever seen, filled with mesmerizing visuals, soul, and necessary political themes. One Battle After Another will encompass you in its grandeur and take you on a roller-coaster ride that you will never forget.
