#REVIEW: “ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER”

By Mr. Will Wong

Visionary Paul Thomas Anderson returns with his latest opus ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER, a suspenseful Action-Thriller-Comedy that mirrors the current state of America, as politics have shifted to the right. Told over a deceptively-short 161 minutes, this is a masterclass in acting and storytelling, and a bright spot for Cinema in 2025.

Everyone must pay for their pasts in ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER. We meet the French 75, a group of violent revolutionaries fighting against a repressive white supremacist regime, led by Perfidia (Teyana Taylor) and her partner Bob (Leonardo DiCaprio). She captures the interest of Colonel Steven Lockjaw (Sean Penn), unlocking his deepest desires, which resultantly puts the paternity of hers and Bob’s daughter Willa (Infiniti Chase) into question several years later after she decides to abandon her family, taking on a life of freedom and independence. And that also excludes Lockjaw, who is sitting on an opportunity to advance his standing, while everything is threatened by uncovering of his affair with Perfidia and he might be father to a mixed race child. Bob, some 16 years later in a reefer-addicted and dazed state, is determined to find a missing Willa, after Lockjaw gets his hands on her.

Anderson once again adapts Author Thomas Pynchon‘s work, this time his 1990 novel VINELAND. He previously adapted INHERENT VICE as well. What we get here is a world that feels like it is set in a parallel America, in the not too distant future. Collaborator Jonny Greenwood teams-up once again after success with Phantom Thread, Inherent Vice, The Master, and There Will Be Blood. with Anderson on the Film’s incredible Score, which often feels like it is writing itself as the scenes are unfolding, quietly creating anxiousness in the background as the story moves along quickly.  This will leave you wondering where the almost-three hours went.

The Film showcases some brilliant performances, starting with a commanding Taylor who delivers a fierce, sexually-charged, and always self-assured performances as Perfidia. Though she disappears for a good portion of it all, her presence still is felt in her impact on these characters’ lives. DiCaprio shows us some vulnerability and fire in Bob‘s fight to find his daughter, but also is bumbling and comedic. And this is a common thread among these characters – they can fight, but they aren’t necessarily bulletproof and all have a weakness. Penn also is a commanding presence as well, fueled in his action by his forbidden desire of Perfidia, really posing the question: Isn’t it always really just about a boy or a girl? One of the Film’s greatest revelations is up-and-comer Chase, who is fantastic, holding her own in an Ensemble that runs deep in experience and talent.

Anderson is very decisive on where he stands with his politics here, and while there are mirrored sentiments to what the world is facing today, we are left with a feeling of hope that some things are worth fighting for.

Warner Bros. Pictures Canada release ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER in theatres September 26, 2025.