Almost thirty years after Leonardo DiCaprio declined the role of Dirk Diggler in Paul Thomas Anderson’s Boogie Nights, the stars finally aligned for PTA’s new thriller, One Battle After Another. The film follows ex-revolutionary Bob Ferguson (DiCaprio), a paranoid man trying to find his daughter, Willa (Chase Infiniti), after they’re separated due to the return of an old enemy, Col. Steven Lockjaw (Sean Penn).
‘One Battle After Another’ is quite different from what we’ve seen from PTA. Aside from the divisive ‘Inherent Vice’ and the funny yet meandering ‘Licorice Pizza,’ PTA’s recent films are more in the vein of ‘There Will Be Blood’, ‘The Master’, and ‘Phantom Thread’—all carefully crafted and brilliant, but One Battle After Another takes a more straightforward and fast-paced approach.
‘One Battle After Another’ is an exciting, varied, and boldly progressive film with consistent pacing that makes its 162-minute runtime feel manageable. The story hardly takes a break, building up to a heartwarming ending. PTA’s direction is among his best, thoughtfully creating an engaging film with characters you care about. The precise blocking of set pieces and action scenes captures the chaos and nail-biting tension needed to draw us into the high stakes.
DiCaprio delivers a powerful performance as Bob Ferguson—funny, heartfelt, and expertly handling PTA’s detailed dialogue. Newcomer Chase Infiniti as Willa, Bob’s daughter, shows how strong and unforgettable PTA’s female characters are. Benicio Del Toro is a welcome addition to the cast, and Sean Penn as the antagonist, Col. Steven Lockjaw, is incredibly intimidating and oddly understandable.
PTA’s writing and direction are enhanced by Jonny Greenwood’s captivating score, Andy Jurgenson’s tense editing, and Michael Bauman’s stunning cinematography, which captures the scenery in a new way, immersing us in the action. The stakes feel real, building toward a powerful climax that matches the intense buildup of the first thirty minutes. Some may find the opening slow, but that buildup is essential for the emotional impact.
This is an important film appealing to both general audiences and those seeking a thoughtful experience. The progressive themes of revolution, loyalty to friends and family under threat, and defending oneself against those trying to harm are undeniably timely. PTA uses these ideas to craft a strangely inspiring story about helping your neighbor. ‘One Battle After Another’ is the most powerful, hilarious, and unexpected movie of the year so far. I would recommend this movie to anyone, even if they are unfamiliar with Paul Thomas Anderson.
‘One Battle After Another’ is currently available exclusively in theaters.
