One Battle After Another

UK Release Date: 26 September 2025

Director: Paul Thomas Anderson

Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Regina Hall, Wood Harris, Chase Infiniti, Sean Penn, Teyana Taylor, Benicio Del Toro

Runtime: 162 mins

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½

Review:

Right from the first frame, One Battle After Another demands attention. A sun-kissed backdrop, an image that is thematically blinding. The whole film in fact is lit extraordinarily well. Night and day look equally clear, making silhouettes pop. Striking deep blues swapped for the bright colours of the dessert. There's an emphasis placed on natural lighting by cinematographer, Michael Bauman, in order to evoke a sense of realism with the film. Therefore, whilst One Battle After Another can be frenetic, focus is never lost. 

Having previously worked with a plethora of legendary contemporary filmmakers, Leonardo DiCaprio fulfils a collaboration nearly 30 years in the making with Paul Thomas Anderson. Yet, the likes of Alejandro González Iñárritu, Martin Scorsese and Quentin Tarantino haven't been able to tune a performance this good out of DiCaprio. His performance in One Battle After Another is the best of his illustrious career. He taps into absurdist, stoner comedy effortlessly. Failing to adjust to the pitfalls of modern society, constantly fuelled by paranoia. Fully committed to capturing the comical physicality of the role. Whilst simultaneously displaying a deep-rooted, incorruptible care for his daughter. 

In contrast, Paul Thomas Anderson once again reunites with Jonny Greenwood of Radiohead to compose One Battle After Another. Greenwood's score is unlike anything he has ever done before. The mix is intelligently layered to provide an assault on the senses. A frantic urgency present due to the unprecedented blend of string and percussion instruments. The feeling of danger and invasiveness is tangible as tracks begin to materialise. Loud reminders of the power the film possesses. Aided in part by the fluctuating but overbearing sound design littered throughout. 

Although, Paul Thomas Anderson's greatest strength is the combination of these elements to craft a compelling narrative. In One Battle After Another there is no better example of this than the attempted escape of Baktan Cross. More than 20 minutes of technical perfection. An interconnected layout that feels heavily inspired by the works of Wes Anderson. The detail makes the scene work - a credit to the location scouts. Leonardo DiCaprio maintains his zany, emotionally unstable performance but is now opposed by the cool, calm essence of Benicio Del Toro. Characteristics furthered by the structurally kinetic Ocean Waves, featuring notes of both instability and composure. Much like the rest of the film, achieving an expert balance of outlandish comedy and high stake tension.