One Battle After Another Conquers the Critics

by

Paul Thomas Anderson’s latest film, currently titled *One Battle After Another*, is receiving rave reviews from critics. Loosely based on Thomas Pynchon’s *Vineland* and starring Leonardo DiCaprio, the movie is being praised for its realistic portrayal of what it feels like to live in 2025. The film has generated a lot of buzz, especially considering its reported $175 million budget-a significant amount, given that none of Anderson’s previous films have earned over $100 million. It’s also unusual that this potential Oscar contender skipped the usual film festival premieres (like those in Venice, Toronto, or Telluride) and is going straight to a wide release on September 26th. Despite all the questions, it’s already being called the best-reviewed movie of the year.

The new film, *One Battle After Another*, pits Leonardo DiCaprio’s character, Bob Ferguson, a former revolutionary, against his longtime rival, Colonel Steven J. Lockjaw, portrayed by Sean Penn. Critics are calling this their strongest work in years. Newcomer Chase Infiniti shines as Bob’s daughter Willa, alongside compelling performances from Teyana Taylor as Willa’s mother Perfidia, and Regina Hall and Benicio del Toro as former allies. However, the most praised aspect is director Anderson’s ability to capture the current cultural climate. As Vulture’s Alison Willmore notes, he’s successfully updated the story from the Reagan era for a modern audience. Read the best reviews of *One Battle After Another* below.

Alison Willmore of Vulture calls Paul Thomas Anderson’s *One Battle After Another* a truly exceptional film-though not quite reaching the heights of *There Will Be Blood* or *Phantom Thread*. She believes it’s so far above typical movies that it feels like an experience beyond filmmaking, freely blending genres and refusing to focus on a single protagonist.

Inspired by Thomas Pynchon’s novel *Vineland*, this fast-paced, funny, and surprisingly heartfelt movie tackles the anxieties of modern America. It begins in a world that feels eerily familiar, then jumps forward sixteen years to a future that hasn’t changed much. The film doesn’t shy away from difficult topics like immigration detention, white nationalism, and the militarization of cities. But more than that, it’s the first big-budget movie to truly capture the overwhelming feeling of living in our current, chaotic reality – and offers a possible path forward.

Brian Tallerico of RogerEbert.com writes that Paul Thomas Anderson’s *One Battle After Another* feels particularly relevant now, given how much conflict dominates our world. The film, based on Thomas Pynchon’s *Vineland*, tells a deeply human story of rebellion that, despite avoiding contemporary political labels like MAGA or Antifa, resonates powerfully with current events. Tallerico praises Anderson’s screenplay as a timeless tale of resistance, drawing inspiration from sources like the Weather Underground and other depictions of rebellion in film. Ultimately, he describes it as an exciting, enjoyable, and ultimately moving story about the people caught up in a chaotic struggle, a film that grabs your attention from the very beginning and doesn’t let go for over two and a half hours.

We’re living in strange and challenging times that demand strength and resilience. Even if you’re not actively trying to change things or feel discouraged, it can be draining. According to David Fear in *Rolling Stone*, Paul Thomas Anderson’s *One Battle After Another* is a complex film – it’s a story about family, a thrilling mystery, a funny ensemble piece, and potentially the best movie of 2025. While inspired by Thomas Pynchon’s *Vineland*, it’s more of a tribute than a direct adaptation, ultimately offering its own unique and meaningful perspective.

Richard Lawson of *The Hollywood Reporter* notes that both *One Battle After Another* and *Vineland* explore how radical movements in America rise and fall, experiencing periods of intense activity followed by long stretches of disappointment and negative consequences. Anderson’s latest work updates this pattern to our current moment, reflecting a disturbingly familiar rise of fascism and the less visible, underground efforts to resist it. Lawson describes this as a both frightening and inspiring vision, highlighting Anderson’s shift from reflecting on the past to directly addressing the urgent issues of today with admirable sincerity.

Read More

2025-09-18 00:54