ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER -- A Masterful Spectacle of Today, A Striking Plea for Tomorrow

Review by Camden Ferrell

Paul Thomas Anderson has nothing left to prove as a filmmaker. Over the course of his previous nine features, he has firmly established himself as one of the most talented voices the history of film has ever seen. What do you do when you find yourself with a resume that rivals some of the all-time great directors? You try to outdo yourself, not because you have to but because you can. One Battle After Another feels like PTA’s observation of modern society mixed with a rallying cry and a screwball sensibility that is an ode to car-chase style Hollywood spectacle. Featuring an energetically devoted turn from Leonardo DiCaprio and showcasing some of the most mind-blowingly crafted sequences of the year, this is a timely film that reminds us of why movies are made in the first place.

We begin in the middle of a mission for the French 75, a revolutionary group who uses tangible action to aggressively fight for a more just society. In what feels like a fond reminiscence of the power of political violence in an increasingly unjust world, we are quickly shown how a dream is killed. 16 years later, an adversary of the French 75 resurfacing spells trouble for Bob and his teenage daughter Willa. Inspired by Thomas Pynchon’s Vineland, this movie reimagines it in a modern context, one that feels hauntingly familiar to the volatile state of our union. It aims to capture the absurdity and fear that has become the new normal while also illustrating the ways in which tangible change can come to fruition. And beneath the social commentary that cuts like a knife, he still manages to tell a cohesive and moving story about love, family, and the reason we fight the good fight.

From the start, it’s quick to see that this movie is one that views its lack of subtlety as a feature not a flaw. The beautiful things PTA has explored in nuance and silence throughout his career are thrown out the window. Instead, he treats us to the most extreme parts of his filmography. His writing is sharp, angry, hopeful, and often absurdly hilarious. He holds no punches in his attempt to view society whether it’s through an indictment or a more innocuous observation. This sets the stage for all the other things in his movie to come together so beautifully. The touching father-daughter dynamic only works because of his ability to so fearlessly establish the world in which we currently live. The screwball antics of the film’s characters only work for that exact same reason. It encapsulates everything a movie should be. It has explicit purpose, earned emotion, and unfettered ambition.

This movie is led by the always reliable DiCaprio who gives one of the most memorable performances in his career. He leans fearlessly into the extreme nature of his character, and he elevates the tension and offbeat comedy as a result. Chase Infiniti makes her feature film debut as Willa, and it’s an impressive debut in which she displays her ability to hold her own as an actress across such seasoned veterans. One of the biggest surprises is how entertaining Sean Penn is as Colonel Lockjaw, the film’s antagonist. It’s a ruthless role with some of the best moments of comedy in the movie. It’s an interesting blend of fear and hilarity that could really only work in a movie like this one. 

One of the most impressive feats of this movie is how it delivers sequence after sequence that show such an unrivaled discipline in film. One night time sequence in particular might just be some of the best filmmaking I’ve seen this century. PTA reunites with cinematographer Michael Bauman who does such visually stunning things in darkness for that one particular sequence. He also brilliantly captures the citywide chaos in which this film thrives the most. This is propelled by a steady, hypnotic and frequently discordant score from frequent collaborator Johnny Greenwood. While I’m specifically highlighting one sequence, these artists are firing on all cylinders from start to finish to bring PTA’s vision to life. 

One Battle After Another is yet another masterpiece to PTA’s name. It is the best movie of the year so far, and it’s one that revels in its spectacle, action, and controlled mayhem. It’s a furious and weirdly comical call to action that will surely go down as an emblematic film of our current era.

One Battle After Another is in theaters September 26.

Rating: 5/5