Movie Review: ‘One Battle After Another’

The film stars Leonardo Di Caprio (‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’), Sean Penn (‘Licorice Pizza’), Benicio del Toro (‘Inherent Vice’), Regina Hall (‘The Hate U Give’), Teyana Taylor (‘A Thousand and One’), and introducing Chase Infiniti.

Related Article: Every Paul Thomas Anderson Movie Ranked

Initial Thoughts

Leonardo Di Caprio as Bob Ferguson in ‘One Battle After Another.’ A Warner Bros. Pictures Release. Photo Credit: Photo Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures.

Acclaimed director Paul Thomas Anderson returns to theaters with another modern masterpiece and one of the best films of his impressive career. Loosely based on the novel ‘Vineland’ by Thomas Pynchon, ‘One Battle After Another’ is an incredibly timely, frantic farce that delivers action, humor, and heart.

Leonardo Di Caprio gives a powerhouse performance leading a fantastic cast that also includes Sean Penn in an Oscar worthy supporting role. Benicio del Toro is fantastically funny in his small role, but it is young actress Chase Infiniti that shines along with Di Caprio.

Story and Direction

(L to R) Leonardo Di Caprio and Director/Writer/Producer Paul Thomas Anderson on the set of ‘One Battle After Another.’ A Warner Bros. Pictures Release. Photo Credit: Merrick Morton.

The film begins by introducing us to Pat (Leonardo Di Caprio), who is an explosives expert and a member of a group of revolutionaries rebelling against the government and their barbaric immigration policies. The group is led by the charismatic Perfidia Beverly Hills (Teyana Taylor) who is also in a relationship with Pat. She soon crosses paths with Col. Steven J. Lockjaw (Sean Penn) and after she makes a fool of him publicly, he becomes obsessed with her.

Eventually, Perfidia becomes pregnant and after having the baby is captured by Lockjaw, who sends soldiers after the other members. Pat takes the baby, and they go underground living under new identities, careful not to draw Lockjaw’s attention. Sixteen years later, Pat is now Bob Ferguson, an alcoholic pothead raising his daughter Willa by himself, with Perfidia’s whereabouts unknown. They live in a small town where Willa studies martial arts from a local Sensei named Sergio (Benicio del Toro).

Lockjaw is now high up in the government and to join an exclusive and elite club he must kidnap Willa to discover the truth behind a secret that her mother was hiding. Now, with the help of an ex-revolutionary named Deandra (Regina Hall) and Sensei Sergio, Bob must escape from Lockjaw’s men and rescue Willa before it’s too late.

(L to R) Director/Writer/Producer Paul Thomas Anderson, Leonardo Di Caprio and Benicio del Toro on the set of ‘One Battle After Another.’ A Warner Bros. Pictures Release. Photo Credit: Merrick Morton.

While I love ‘Boogie Nights’ and think ‘There Will Be Blood’ is one of the greatest American movies ever made, I have to say that ‘Inherent Vice’ is probably my favorite Paul Thomas Anderson movie. That film was also based on a novel by author Thomas Pynchon, which is probably why the two films are similar in tone and offbeat humor. But Anderson wisely updated the 60’s to 80’s setting of the book to modern day. While our current President’s name is never invoked, it’s obvious that Anderson is using the movie to comment on the current administration’s war on immigration.

In fact, this is by far the most political film Anderson has ever made, but it also has more action sequences than his previous movies. The director finds humor in the most absurd situations, but never loses the message or heart of the movie. Anderson is the last of a dying breed of filmmakers who make unique, crowd-pleasing epics every time out, and this film is no exception. The movie also boasts an impressive score from Jonny Greenwood and gorgeous cinematography from Michael Bauman and Anderson.

Cast and Performances

Benicio del Toro as Sensei St. Carlos in ‘One Battle After Another.’ A Warner Bros. Pictures Release. Photo Credit: Photo Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures

Leonardo Di Caprio is possibly the last true movie star, having never made a superhero film or even a sequel, he is still an actor that puts butts in seats regardless of the movie’s content. Think about it, this guy got us to go see his bear (‘The Revenant’) movie!

Some of Di Caprio’s best work in recent years has been in ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’ and ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’, and he’s just as good if not better here. There are some similarities between Rick Dalton and Bob Ferguson, but Di Caprio creates a new, awkward, burnout character for us to root for. He’s not a hero, but you do want him to win and his relentless need to find his daughter drives the movie.

(L to R) Teyana Taylor as Perfidia and Sean Penn as Col. Steven J. Lockjaw in ‘One Battle After Another.’ A Warner Bros. Pictures Release. Photo Credit: Photo Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures

Sean Penn gives one of his best performances in recent years and is probably a frontrunner for a Best Supporting Oscar nomination at this point. It’s funny to think of the public Sean Penn we all know, a liberal revolutionary in his own right, playing this completely conservative military character. His performance is specific and fits perfectly with Anderson’s tone.

Bencio del Toro gives a gentle and funny performance as Willa’s Sensei Sergio, who helps Bob along the way. He has great chemistry with Di Caprio and shines in all his scenes. Teyana Taylor makes quite an impression as Perfidia Beverly Hills and gives an explosive performance. Unfortunately, her role is limited due to the story, but she lights up the screen regardless.

hase Infiniti as Willa Ferguson in ‘One Battle After Another.’ A Warner Bros. Pictures Release. Photo Credit: Photo Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures

And in her first film, Chase Infinity is a revelation. The actress gives a subtle yet strong performance as Perfidia’s daughter and has great chemistry with Di Caprio. She holds her own in her scenes with Penn and is quite a force on screen.

Oscar Chances

Leonardo Di Caprio as Bob Ferguson in ‘One Battle After Another.’ A Warner Bros. Pictures Release. Photo Credit: Photo Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures.

I think it’s safe to say that ‘One Battle After Another’ should be a frontrunner for Best Picture and Best Director nominations at this year’s Academy Awards. I would imagine Best Original Screenplay for Anderson and Best Actor for Di Caprio are also in the mix, as well as a Best Supporting nom for Penn. I would also encourage voters to consider Greenwood’s work for Best Score, as well as Infiniti for Best Supporting Actress.

Final Thoughts

Teyana Taylor as Perfidia in ‘One Battle After Another.’ A Warner Bros. Pictures Release. Photo Credit: Photo Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures.

Filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson has delivered a movie that is as funny, exciting and exhilarating as it is timely and culturally important. With brilliant performances from the entire cast but especially Di Caprio, Penn, del Toro and Infiniti, ‘One Battle After Another’ is a must see and one of the best films of the year.

‘One Battle After Another’ receives a score of 99 out of 100.

‘One Battle After Another’ opens in theaters on September 26th.

What is the plot of ‘One Battle After Another’?

When their evil enemy (Sean Penn) resurfaces after 16 years, a group of ex-revolutionaries reunite to rescue the daughter (Chace Infiniti) of one of their own (Leonardo Di Caprio).

Who is in the cast of ‘One Battle After Another’?

• Leonardo DiCaprio as Bob Ferguson
• Sean Penn as Col. Steven J. Lockjaw
• Benicio del Toro as Sensei Sergio
• Regina Hall as Deandra
• Teyana Taylor as Perfidia Beverly Hills
• Chase Infiniti as Willa Ferguson
• Starletta DuPois as Grandma Jennie
• D. W. Moffett as Bill Desmond
• Paul Grimstad as Howard Sommerville

‘One Battle After Another’ opens in theaters on September 26th.

List of Paul Thomas Anderson  Movies:

Buy Paul Thomas Anderson Movies on Amazon