Review: One Battle After Another

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Official synopsis: When their evil enemy resurfaces after 16 years, a group of ex-revolutionaries reunite to rescue one of their own's daughter.

Despite Paul Thomas Anderson directing, and excellent talent like Leonardo DiCaprio, Teyana Taylor, Regina Hall and Benicio del Toro being involved, I wasn't quite sure what to think of the trailer of One Battle After Another. It looked....fine. When the second trailer came out, wildly different than the first, I wondered if this was going to have a tone problem. Thankfully, that was just another case of trailer editors' poor decisions, because One Battle After Another has a lot to say, and is far more timely then you'd think. 

It's great to see a major studio back a film that is very harshly critiquing those against immigration. Even more so, it lampoons the white supremacists at the very top of the ladder. I wonder if those who see this film will even recognize themselves. In between all of the harshness, it's sprinkled with some pretty damn funny dialogue. 

I'm kind of loving DiCaprio in his dumb character era. Bob is an absolute mess, but an entertaining one to watch here. Teyana Taylor has a tough role to play here. Her Perfidia has to make some very tough choices and vulnerably shares her thoughts on motherhood that seem to go against the grain. I think many will judge her, I just felt bad for her throughout. 

The real star is Chase Infiniti, who plays Bob and Perfidia's daughter Willa. This is her first film, and you would never tell. She's so confident in this role. She's also going to play the older Agnes in the upcoming The Testaments and I cannot wait to see her in that. On a side note, it's absolutely diabolical that they cast a 24 year old to play Leo's daughter. IYKYK.

I do think the film runs a bit long, so it's not quite a home run for me, but the longer I sat with One Battle After Another, the more it grew on me. 

Grade: B

Comments

  1. thevoid99October 2, 2025 at 2:32 PM

    This film is definitely one of PTA's best films and Leo fucking knocked it out of the park. I do love this film as there is so many things that I'm still laughing about. I wish it was longer as it did not feel like a 2-hour, 45-minute film. I was just enthralled by it. Plus, I will never get over Benicio del Toro's walk after being stopped by the cops.

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    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamOctober 6, 2025 at 4:49 PM

      That was so funny, del Toro was having a blast in this.

      Delete
  2. AnonymousOctober 3, 2025 at 7:00 AM

    This is Birgit…now I really want to see this film. Like you, I was wondering if this would be dumb..fun, but dumb. Now, it’s on my list to see. Usually the 24 yr old would be dating Leo….ughh

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    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamOctober 6, 2025 at 4:48 PM

      RIGHT!? That's why it's so hilarious that a 24 year old is his kid. This was not advertised the best, definitely worth the theater watch.

      Delete
  3. SJHoneywellOctober 4, 2025 at 8:47 AM

    This is one I want to see. Now it seems like it's one I need to see.

    ReplyDelete
  4. ThePunkTheoryOctober 7, 2025 at 11:38 PM

    I enjoyed this film a lot, but not quite as much as so many others seem to do. The acting performances were great, but I guess I wished for something a little different narration-wise

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  5. ruthOctober 11, 2025 at 8:23 PM

    Liked this more than I thought I did. It was long but didn't feel overly so.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamOctober 12, 2025 at 3:24 PM

      I do have a bit more of an appreciation with it after sitting with it longer, but still not my favorite of the year.

      Delete

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