One Battle After Another Review: A Cinematic Triumph

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

A Master’s Return to Form

Paul Thomas Anderson has made a career out of exploring flawed men, complicated relationships, and the weight of time. With One Battle After Another, he brings all of those obsessions together and shapes them into something that feels both sweeping and deeply personal. The premise is deceptively simple: when their evil enemy resurfaces after 16 years, a group of ex-revolutionaries reunites to rescue one of their own’s daughter. What could have been a straightforward action thriller instead becomes a grand story of loyalty, regret, and the scars left behind after lives built on conflict.

Paul Thomas Anderson’s Magnum Opus?

One Battle After Another might just be Paul Thomas Anderson’s magnum opus—until his next magnum opus. I’ve liked and loved just about every film he has made to a varying degree, but this one hit me harder than expected. The scope is huge, yet the film never loses sight of its people. Each character feels lived-in, carrying years of history in their eyes. Anderson trusts the audience to catch the subtle glances, the pauses in speech, and the way silence can weigh heavier than dialogue. By the time the group finally steps back into battle, it feels less like spectacle and more like inevitability.

Anchored by a Powerful Cast

Leonardo DiCaprio anchors the cast with one of his best performances in years. He plays a man caught between past ideals and present realities—a leader who is both commanding and vulnerable, even though he’s a complete burnout. There is a gravity to him, but also a fragility. The supporting cast is just as strong, with each actor making sure no one fades into the background. Together, they form a broken family, and the audience gets to feel every fracture and every spark of connection.

Cultural Authenticity and Relatable Themes

I am not familiar with the source material the film was adapted from, but I appreciated some of the contemporary and relatable themes on display here. Questions of cultural identity, political struggle, and generational trauma move through the narrative. Anderson avoids easy answers and lets the contradictions breathe. Watching the film in IMAX with a big crowd was great; it was a mixed audience, with a majority of them being Latino. This hit even harder because there were several scenes involving Latino characters, and some of these scenes were in Spanish and not subtitled. It felt special, like it was made for us, and that small choice added authenticity. It spoke volumes about who the film is for without needing to explain.

A Breathtaking Visual and Auditory Experience

Visually, the movie is breathtaking. Anderson didn’t just shoot in digital or standard 35mm; he revived VistaVision, framing the story in a rare 1.50:1 aspect ratio that hasn’t been widely used since the early 1960s. On the IMAX screen, it looked monumental, with extra height that gave every composition an almost sculpted presence. The landscapes stretched like paintings, while close-ups had a richness and intimacy that made the emotions impossible to ignore. The sound design added another layer, from the echoes of gunfire to the quiet rustle of leaves before an ambush. It is a film that begs to be experienced in a theater, surrounded by strangers who gasp and cheer at the same moments.

Conclusion: A Triumph of Craft and Heart

What makes One Battle After Another so powerful is not just its craft, but its heart. It is a story about fighting battles in the present while still being haunted by the battles of the past. It is about bonds that never fully break, even when years of silence try to sever them. For me, it was one of those rare movies that felt like it was speaking directly to my own sense of history, culture, and belonging. This is a triumph, plain and simple—a thrilling, emotional, and unforgettable ride. Five stars.

One Battle After Another premiered in theaters (USA) September 26, 2025

Details

• Rating Certificate: R (for pervasive language, violence, sexual content, and drug use)
• Studios & Distributors: Ghoulardi Film Company | Warner Bros.
• Director: Paul Thomas Anderson
• Country: USA
• Language: English | Spanish
• Run Time: 161 Mins.
• Aspect Ratio: 1.43:1 (IMAX GT Laser & IMAX 70MM) | 1.50:1 (VistaVision) | 1.85:1
• Release Date: 26 September 2025