One Battle After Another Movie Review - Long Live The Revolution
- Venki
- Sep 28
- 2 min read
Paul Thomas Anderson's "One Battle After Another" stands out as one of the most significant cinematic achievements of 2025, demonstrating why Anderson is often regarded as one of the greatest directors of this generation. This film marks his boldest foray into overtly political territory, capturing the fractured spirit of contemporary America with a sense of urgency and nuance that few auteurs can match .
What makes this film particularly resonant is its steadfast refusal to provide simple solutions. Anderson crafts an uncompromising portrait of revolution and resistance—depicting idealism as noble but fraught with contradiction and compromise. He challenges audiences to grapple with the messiness of power, legacy, and the moral cost of rebellion, rather than retreating to easy answers.
The story, structured in two distinct movements, follows Leonardo DiCaprio as a catalyst for social upheaval alongside his girlfriend from the radical "French 75" group. The narrative’s sixteen-year leap forward explores themes of regret, paranoia, and paternal devotion, culminating in a tensed reunion and rescue involving old revolutionary nemeses. This structure allows Anderson to explore personal and political consequences across time, with DiCaprio’s transformation serving as the emotional core. Sean Penn is an absolute menace as Col. Lockjaw.
The film fluidly weaves crime, drama, action, and dark comedy, evoking—and sometimes subverting—the tones of Scorsese, the Coen Brothers, and Tarantino, while maintaining Anderson’s unmistakable style. The editing and music are largely praised for their energy, though some abrupt tonal shifts may stand out as a jarring glitch.
"One Battle After Another" is already being hailed as one of 2025’s defining films and may finally clinch the Academy Award that has eluded Anderson. The film’s ambition, craftsmanship, and relevance ensure its place both as a feat of cinema and as a timely statement for America’s present political landscape.
Verdict - 4.5/5(A Resistance act at its best)
Some idealistic revolutions just go on even in the face of fatalistic hopelessness!
Some movies are just made to laugh at the hypocritical institutions of power!
Some causes are fought with foolhardy courage and devil may care attitude.
Some makers just enrich cinema with their whacked out quirkiness and downright disregard for the mundane.
While the deadpan delivery, wry irony and clever mockery make it a rather delectable comedy, one is left to wonder whether to be thankful for the insulated conditions or to ponder over the self-absorbed situations!