Critics Praise Paul Thomas Anderson’s “One Battle After Another” Ahead of Release

Lead: Critics unleashed acclaim today for director Paul Thomas Anderson’s new film, One Battle After Another, applauding its timely political satire, thrilling action and emotional depth ahead of its September 26 release in U.S. theaters.

Nut Graf: Anderson’s first major contemporary-set feature in years merges explosive set pieces with a father-daughter drama, earning raves for its relevance to current U.S. political unrest and for Anderson’s return to provocative storytelling.

Key Highlights

  • One Battle After Another blends action, comedy and political commentary, tackling authoritarianism and activist fatigue
  • Leonardo DiCaprio stars as Bob Ferguson, a former radical who must reunite with his daughter after a thwarted guerrilla mission
  • Sean Penn delivers a standout performance as ruthless antagonist Col. Steven J. Lockjaw
  • Critics note Anderson’s most direct engagement with modern America, eschewing nostalgia for urgent social critique

In-Depth

Paul Thomas Anderson breaks from his celebrated period dramas to confront present-day issues in an adaptation loosely inspired by Thomas Pynchon’s Vineland. Early reviews highlight the film’s visceral car chases and dark humor alongside a poignant exploration of familial bonds amid political upheaval.

Leonardo DiCaprio anchors the narrative as Bob Ferguson, whose underground group, French 75, launches a daring raid on a detention facility. Teyana Taylor co-stars as Perfidia Beverly Hills, whose revolutionary zeal challenges Bob’s priorities and ultimately endangers their child’s safety. Sean Penn’s Col. Lockjaw emerges as a chilling embodiment of state power, elevating the film’s stakes with chilling gravitas.

Critics commend Anderson’s collaboration with composer Johnny Greenwood and editor Andy Jorgensen for a propulsive, high-stakes pace, while Colleen Atwood’s costumes underscore the blend of punk rebellion and suburban normalcy. Reviewers agree that Anderson’s choice to set the film in today’s America-replete with echoes of real-world surveillance, migrant detention and political polarization-makes One Battle After Another his most urgent work yet.

What’s Next

One Battle After Another opens nationwide on September 26, with early screenings in Los Angeles and New York this weekend. Audiences and industry observers will watch closely to see whether Anderson’s modern-day epic galvanizes discussion on activism, family and the fight for democracy.