One Battle After Another Trailer, Fun Facts & Review
One Battle After Another Synopsis:
Bob Ferguson (Leonardo DiCaprio), an ex-revolutionary, has his peaceful life turned upside down when a dangerous enemy from 16 years ago resurfaces. This sudden threat places his family, especially his daughter (Chase Infiniti), in great danger. As the past catches up with the present, Bob must reunite with his old friends—a team of past revolutionaries—to face this powerful enemy and save his daughter.
Genre: Drama, Thriller, Crime
Release Date: In theaters September 26th, 2025
One Battle After Another Fun Facts:
Star-Studded Cast:
The movie features a well-rounded, high profile cast, including Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, Benicio del Toro, Regina Hall, Alana Haim, Teyana Taylor, and Wood Harris.
Pynchon Adaptation Second Time:
This is the second time Paul Thomas Anderson has adapted a novel by the well-known private author Thomas Pynchon. His first adaptation of Pynchon’s work was Inherent Vice, released in 2014. Although One Battle After Another loosely follows the plot of Pynchon's 1990 novel Vineland, it brings the story into a modern-day context.
Anderson's Most Expensive Film:
This is Paul Thomas Anderson's most expensive film to date, with a budget reported to be over $140 million.
Leonardo DiCaprio's High Earnings:
According to reports, Leonardo DiCaprio earned $20 million for playing Bob Ferguson, showcasing his star power to draw in viewers and ensuring the film's success at the box office.
35mm Film:
The movie was shot on 35mm film with VistaVision cameras by cinematographer Michael Bauman, who initially worked with Anderson on the movie Licorice Pizza.
Filming Locations:
The main filming took place in various locations throughout California, such as Humboldt County (including Arcata, Cutten, Eureka, and Trinidad), Sacramento, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, and Borrego Springs. Some of the shooting also took place in El Paso, Texas.
Controversy During Filming:
There was some controversy during filming when a homeless encampment was cleared so that shooting could take place in Sacramento.
One Battle After Another Review:
One Battle After Another is not your typical movie, it is a free-spirited and dynamic take on Thomas Pynchon’s book Vineland. Director Paul Thomas Anderson take viewers through the lens of his unique creative mind mixed with dark humor. As a result, the movie is a remarkable work of art that challenges straightforward labeling, shifting dramatically between political humor, absurd comedy, and intense action sequences.
The movie tells the story of Bob Ferguson (Leonardo DiCaprio), a once-active revolutionary who now lives in fear and regret because of his history with the extreme group "French 75. After staying hidden for sixteen years, his unstable home life is turned upside down when his enemy, white-supremacist Colonel Steven J. Lockjaw (Sean Penn), returns with the intention of taking Bob's strong-willed daughter, Willa (Chase Infiniti). This forces Bob to break free from his constant drug-induced state and reach out to former allies—including the captivating Perfidia Beverly Hills (Teyana Taylor), Willa’s estranged mother, and the humorously philosophical Sensei Sergio St. Carlos (Benicio del Toro)—to help him deal with a country struggling under its own beliefs.
DiCaprio gives one of his finest comedic performances in a long time as the unfortunate burnout Bob. He embodies a mix of being both pitiful and lovable, skillfully portraying a guy who wants to make a difference but forgets important passwords. Nonetheless, the movie is truly supported by Chase Infiniti, whose sharp and realistic performance as Willa offers the emotional weight needed amid the surrounding chaos. Teyana Taylor is a total standout as Perfidia, stealing the spotlight with a strong blend of intimidation and charm.
Cinematographer Michael Bauman and composer Jonny Greenwood, both frequent collaborators with Paul Thomas Anderson, make the film a stunning achievement in technical artistry. Bauman’s vibrant visuals provide intensity to the car chases and underground bunker scenes, while Greenwood's electrifying music enhances the feeling of relentless and tension-filled action.
One Battle After Another is a highly significant film that explores the cost of resistance across generations and the relentless, sometimes irrational bravery needed to protect loved ones in a fractured world. This film delivers a powerful viewing experience that may not provide straightforward solutions, but it effectively portrays the tension and outrage of today's reality. This is a must-see film.