One Battle After Another Is Our New Oscar Front-runner

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This summer didn’t produce many likely Oscar nominees, especially when compared to recent years which gave us hits like *Oppenheimer*, *Barbie*, *Top Gun: Maverick*, and *Elvis*. While *Sinners* emerged as a potential contender back in April, other films with strong backgrounds – including Celine Song’s *Materialists* and *The Life of Chuck*, which won an audience award at the Toronto International Film Festival – haven’t gained much traction in the awards race.

Paul Thomas Anderson, a director with 28 Academy Award nominations, has a new film called *One Battle After Another*. Inspired by Thomas Pynchon’s novel *Vineland*, Anderson playfully described it as an action-comedy with a touch of sadness after a recent screening. The movie boasts an impressive cast including Leonardo DiCaprio, Benicio del Toro, Sean Penn, Teyana Taylor, Chase Infiniti, and Regina Hall, and critics are loving it. Currently, it has a score of 96/100 on Metacritic, making it one of the highest-rated films of 2025 (alongside Julia Loktev’s documentary *My Undesirable Friends: Part I – Last Air in Moscow*). Many reviews are calling it a masterpiece, and our critic Alison Willmore places it among Anderson’s best work – a view I share.

A critically acclaimed director has a new movie with several Academy Award winners, and it’s receiving rave reviews at a time when there hasn’t been a clear favorite for Best Picture. That makes this film, *One Battle After Another*, the current front-runner. However, while it’s early to be predicting winners, and the Academy rarely celebrates films this far in advance, there are still several things that need to happen – and questions that need answering – before it reaches the Oscars stage.

On the Subject of Revolution

It’s a common saying in Oscar campaigns: a Best Picture winner needs a compelling angle to stand out. Simply having the “best” movie isn’t enough, as opinions on that vary wildly. Positioning Paul Thomas Anderson as overdue for an Oscar, similar to what worked for Christopher Nolan recently, could be a good strategy. However, the biggest challenge for the team behind *One Battle After Another* will be how to market the film given the current political climate. The movie follows an anti-fascist group, the French 75, led by characters played by DiCaprio and Taylor, as they launch 1960s-style attacks on modern immigrant detention centers. The film portrays a U.S. government oscillating between aggressive military figures and those seeking racial purification. These themes feel particularly relevant now, as the Trump administration has pushed the country toward authoritarianism, and activists are actively resisting ICE raids – especially after the events surrounding Charlie Kirk. *One Battle After Another* depicts raids on sanctuary cities, and the French 75 mirrors accusations Trump has leveled against Antifa, suggesting the film will likely provoke strong reactions.

It’s likely we’ll continue to debate what Wes Anderson is trying to convey with his latest film. Questions remain about whether the film supports radical change, and what impact the use of humor has on its message. Some also wonder if the portrayal of antagonists is too simplistic. The answers, judging by a post-screening discussion with Anderson, DiCaprio, del Toro, Taylor, and Infiniti, seem to be intentionally left open to interpretation. Anderson explained that focusing on the specifics of current events can hinder filmmaking, so he prioritizes character development and emotional impact. DiCaprio acknowledged the current political divide but didn’t offer further explanation. Ultimately, though, the film itself seems to clearly oppose white supremacist ideologies and honestly depicts the challenges and sacrifices involved in fighting for change, as highlighted by DiCaprio’s character.

Ultimately, the impact of the documentary *One Battle After Another* will likely depend on how awards voters respond to its message about current politics. With recent calls for less inflammatory language in the media and public discourse, it’s possible some voters might be hesitant to support a film that shows people actively fighting back with violence, preferring instead a more calming approach.

Does Sean Penn Have Supporting Actor on Lock(… jaw)?

Even if current events affect how well *One Battle* does at the awards, many of its actors are likely to receive nominations. Leonardo DiCaprio is entering a competitive Best Actor race alongside Michael B. Jordan (*Sinners*), George Clooney (*Jay Kelly*), Jeremy Allen White (*Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere*), Dwayne Johnson (*The Smashing Machine*), and Timothée Chalamet (*Marty Supreme*). While DiCaprio won an Oscar for *The Revenant* in 2016, he’s only been nominated once since, for *Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood*. His performance in *One Battle* is similar to that acclaimed role, showcasing a range from comedic paranoia to intense emotion. Because the lead actor or actress in a Best Picture winner often wins an acting award, and the Academy is increasingly open to awarding multiple Oscars to the same performer, DiCaprio is a strong contender this year.

Sean Penn hasn’t been nominated for an Oscar since winning Best Actor for *Milk* in 2010. Lately, he’s been better known for donating his Oscars than for delivering award-worthy performances. That might change with his current role. He plays a truly memorable villain, the kind that often wins Best Supporting Actor awards. Penn is known for being outspoken, and could potentially create problems for the film’s Oscar campaign with an off-the-cuff remark. However, he’s always been well-liked by his fellow actors. And in this movie, he’s fantastic – he gives his character a hilariously unusual walk and a crazed energy that voters may find irresistible.

A push for Penn as a supporting actor could overshadow the subtle but powerful performance by Benicio del Toro, who plays Sensei Sergio St. Carlos, a martial arts instructor and community figure in the city of Baktan Cross. Del Toro’s understated approach is both clever and humorous, especially compared to the more intense performances from actors like DiCaprio, and it effectively conveys the film’s deeper themes about standing up to government overreach.

The Best Supporting Actress category is the most interesting race at the Oscars for the film *One Battle After Another*, with strong performances from Taylor, Infiniti, and Hall. Taylor powerfully dominates the first part of the movie, hinting at a hidden sensitivity beneath her anger. She’s so compelling that her limited screen time is the only reason she isn’t being considered for Best Actress. As Taylor’s role lessens, Infiniti steps forward with a performance that begins subtly, but builds to a powerful climax. While Hall’s role is smaller, she delivers memorable moments with impressive strength and determination, showcasing a different side of her talent usually known for comedy. I predict Hall may not receive a nomination, but her performance is certainly noteworthy.

The PTA of It All

Paul Thomas Anderson’s films are usually recognized by the Academy Awards, with only his first film, *Hard Eight*, and the brilliant *Punch-Drunk Love* being completely overlooked. It’s interesting to note that this year, both Adam Sandler (for *Jay Kelly*) and Anderson could be in contention for Oscars. While Anderson hasn’t won an Oscar yet, the Academy consistently acknowledges his work. His latest film, *One Battle After Another*, might be his most mainstream and enjoyable since *Boogie Nights*. It’s a straightforward action-comedy that avoids the complexity of the novel *Vineland*, and instead centers on the dynamic between the characters played by DiCaprio and Infiniti.

I’ve been a fan of Paul Thomas Anderson for a long time, and I’ve noticed his films often have these strange, sometimes off-putting moments – like the frogs falling from the sky in *Magnolia* or the violent ending of *There Will Be Blood*. Whether you find his work ‘accessible’ is really a matter of personal taste. But after films like *The Master* and *Inherent Vice* really tested audiences with their unusual style and storytelling, I feel like he’s been making a conscious effort to connect with a wider audience. *Phantom Thread* was a love story, even if it was a pretty dark and quirky one, and *Licorice Pizza* was pure nostalgia. Both got him Best Picture and Director nominations, which is great, but they didn’t quite break through to *everyone*. Honestly, if the Academy voters were all into weird stuff and grew up where he did, he’d have a shelf full of Oscars by now!

Even viewers hesitant about the direction this country seems to be heading will likely enjoy *One Battle After Another*. It’s a well-paced film with plenty of action, humor, and genuine emotional depth – qualities that often appeal to award voters. I already thought it had Oscar potential, but the surprisingly satisfying ending sealed the deal for me. Combined with a strong promotional campaign highlighting the director’s impressive filmography, Warner Bros. has a lot to work with. While it’s early days, and studios generally avoid excessive Oscar buzz this far out, *One Battle After Another* feels like the film many of us have been waiting for – a true frontrunner in this year’s awards race.

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2025-09-26 22:56