He’s made the most incendiary movie of the year. But Paul Thomas Anderson remains an optimist

by

Paul Thomas Anderson’s new movie “One Battle After Another” opens in chaos.

As the sun goes down, a group of California revolutionaries called the French 75 is attacking an immigration detention center near the border in Otay Mesa, all set to a powerful score by Jonny Greenwood. We’re introduced to the key members of the group: Bob, an expert with explosives (played by Leonardo DiCaprio), the observant Deandra (Regina Hall), and the bold, quick-tempered Perfidia (Teyana Taylor). Perfidia asks Bob to put on a show, and he delivers with a dazzling display of fireworks and weaponry.

Perfidia discovers Colonel Steven J. Lockjaw (Sean Penn), the camp commander, resting on a cot. She immediately orders him to stand, threatening him with her rifle. He complies, and she continues to verbally intimidate him while disarming and leading him out of the room.

When I first watched “One Battle After Another” in July, I wondered if it was Wes Anderson trying to reach a larger audience. The film was backed by Warner Bros., had a substantial $140 million budget, and starred Leonardo DiCaprio, a major box office draw. Over the years, Anderson and I have often discussed our mutual appreciation for widely enjoyed, well-made films, such as the “Mad Max” series and the action-comedy “Midnight Run.” I considered whether “One Battle After Another” might be his version of a crowd-pleasing film like “Midnight Run.”

Five minutes into his movie is all it took to realize I was dead wrong.

Weeks after seeing the film, I met with Anderson at a Hollywood hotel for a vegan lunch and playfully told him he just couldn’t help but include unusual things in his movies.

The director lets out a sustained laugh.

“Well, thank you,” he says, after collecting himself. “I think that’s a compliment.”

Honestly, I love how audiences react when Perfidia and Lockjaw finally clash! There’s this really tense build-up, a lot of hidden stuff happening, and you’re not quite sure what to expect. Then, BAM – it takes a totally unexpected turn! It’s like, ‘Wait, are we really going *there*?’ And yes, we are! The play definitely doesn’t shy away from anything. We try to give you a sense early on that anything could happen, that we’re pushing boundaries and exploring all sorts of themes. It’s a signal that we’re going to go big and aren’t afraid to be outrageous.

This movie’s setting also allows for a touching story about a father and daughter. Sixteen years later, we meet Bob, a disheartened man living in Humboldt County with his teenage daughter, Willa (played by Chase Infiniti). He’s constantly worried that his past – specifically, a threat named Lockjaw – will come back to haunt him.

The film blends outlandish humor with thrilling action, and its visuals and themes – like immigration raids, protests, and surveillance – strongly echo current events we see in the news and on social media. It’s a grand, sweeping story that also feels deeply personal, both disturbing and funny. Many believe this could be the director’s finest work yet, and it easily stands with his other acclaimed films such as “There Will Be Blood,” “The Master,” and “Boogie Nights.”

Just a few days after the movie premiered at the TCL Chinese Theatre – following another screening and a post-film interview with Steven Spielberg – Anderson is still processing the overwhelmingly positive reaction. He says the support feels incredible and is a huge boost, something that will carry him for a long time.

Anderson admits it’s a little embarrassing, but he recalls seeing someone fall asleep during a screening of his film. He jokes that it was a good reminder that not everyone will love his work, and that’s okay.

She stood out from the crowd. After the screenings last week, people were passionately discussing the film, especially its portrayal of white supremacists – a hidden group called the Christmas Adventurers – and the military detaining immigrants in the city where the main characters, Bob and Willa, live. Benicio del Toro plays Willa’s karate instructor, Sensei Sergio St. Carlos, who is secretly helping refugees escape. The film intentionally draws comparisons to real-world issues, whether consciously or not.

Is “One Battle After Another” the movie for our current moment? Anderson isn’t quite convinced.

It really struck me when he said it’s a mistake to think things actually *have* changed. It’s unsettling, but he’s right. This story feels timeless – it could have happened decades ago, even centuries ago. It’s honestly a bit scary how easily you could drop this situation into a completely different setting, like outer space, and it would still resonate. It reminds me of that line in the movie, spoken by Perfidia: ‘Sixteen years later, and the world has changed very little.’ It’s just…true, isn’t it?

I knew the biggest pitfall would be focusing too much on politics,” Anderson explains. “Political stories quickly become dated. To keep an audience engaged for nearly three hours, you need to connect with the characters on an emotional level – to truly care about their journeys, their loves, and their flaws. Those human connections are timeless. But sadly, neither are the themes of oppression and cruelty. Those things, unfortunately, are always with us, and always will be – it’s just part of being human.”

It’s unfortunately a familiar scene: a military convoy heading towards an immigration raid. During a briefing, someone suggests the local community will likely side with the criminals they’re after. It all feels a bit unsettlingly predictable.

Anderson recalls a poignant exchange between the characters Leo and Benicio. Leo apologizes for bringing trouble to Benicio’s home, saying, “I’m sorry I brought all this mess to your doorstep.” Benicio calmly responds with, “Relax. Relax. We’ve been dealing with hardship for centuries. Don’t worry about yourself.”

Anderson acknowledges the current situation is serious, but points out it’s a recurring problem. Similar events have been documented for decades-even a century ago, as evidenced by articles in the L.A. Times. He cautions against the idea that this is unprecedented, suggesting it’s a mistake to act surprised when it’s happened before.

Anderson feels a strong personal connection to his novel, “One Battle,” which was inspired by Thomas Pynchon’s “Vineland.” He’d been thinking about this story for around 20 years, and it continually stayed with him. A significant source of inspiration comes from his family life; he and Maya Rudolph have four children: Pearl (19), Lucille (15), Minnie Ida (12), and Jack (14). He jokes that his kids give him plenty of material for the story.

According to Anderson, a father directing a film about a dad searching for and protecting his daughter will inevitably connect with the story on a personal level.

However, that wasn’t the whole story. He’d been pondering this film for two decades, and something continued to bother him. What was it that he couldn’t let go of?

You know, when I asked him about the delays, he actually paused and really thought about it. He said what was really on his mind was making sure the story was just right, and maybe he was getting a little *too* into the process. He worried that if you spend too long on something, it loses its impact. He even told me that a few years ago, he felt ready to cast the role of Willa and started looking for an actress, but it just didn’t work out at the time.

Anderson explains that making a movie is always a deeply personal experience, especially considering the significant amount of time – sometimes two, five, or even ten years – that filmmakers dedicate to a single project. He feels that committing so much time to a film makes it incredibly personal. While his 2021 film, “Licorice Pizza,” a charming coming-of-age story set in the 1970s, came together relatively quickly, he’d been envisioning it for years, much like his previous work.

You know, as a film fan, I always feel like some actors are just *meant* to be in certain roles, and Wes Anderson seems to feel that way too – he even believes in movie fate! He told me he was basically waiting for Chase Infiniti to come along. She really broke out last year in “Presumed Innocent,” playing the daughter of Jake Gyllenhaal and Ruth Negga, and now “One Battle After Another” marks her first big movie role. It’s exciting to see fresh talent like hers arrive on the scene!

Discovering Chase was the turning point,” Anderson explains. “It signaled the start of everything – a point of no return. I’d found the character who meant the most to me.”

Why do you feel that way about Willa?

Anderson explains that most of the characters in the film are unreliable or eccentric. Bob and Perfidia can’t be trusted, and Lockjaw is completely unhinged. Deandra is somewhat dependable and has a good heart, but she’s lived a full life already. That’s why, when Chase appears, the audience finally has someone they can believe in and root for.

What did your daughters think of the movie?

Anderson says the kids are really enjoying the movie and have become close with the character Chase. However, he adds that some of the more violent parts – the blood and gore – might be a little scary for the younger viewers.

Has Minnie Ida seen it? She’s 12 now.

Anderson says his daughter has watched him work many times. He explains that because he works from home, his family is very familiar with his routine. He describes his house in Tarzana as a lively and comfortable space where Turner Classic Movies is always playing and his poodle reliably delivers the L.A. Times to him each morning.

Anderson loves his morning routine. He keeps a coffee grinder by the back door, and as soon as he starts grinding the beans, his dog comes running from wherever the kids are sleeping. The dog waits by the door, and Anderson lets him in just as the coffee is finished grinding. Then, the dog proudly brings in the L.A. Times newspaper – a perfect start to the day with coffee in hand.

Movies

Paul Thomas Anderson talks about the difficulties of finding the right title for a film while driving through Los Angeles’ San Fernando Valley.

It’s been a while since I last saw Anderson, and he looks older – his beard is much whiter, and he now always wears glasses. However, his new book, “One Battle After Another,” doesn’t read like a farewell. It’s full of energy and feels like a fresh start. Anderson believes everyone eventually faces middle age, the risk of becoming complacent, and the temptation to be critical of younger people.

Anderson points out that the data is clear, but believes it’s a mistake to expect the younger generation to follow the same path as those before them. Things change, and what worked in the past may not work now – it’s like not understanding a new trend. He doesn’t feel that way himself, though. While he may not have all the answers, he’s optimistic that the next generation will learn from our mistakes and do better.

And if you’re looking for a message from “One Battle After Another,” there it is.

Anderson admits he’s an optimist, even calling himself naive. He believes people, combined with the power of technology like smartphones, can achieve a lot. He stops mid-sentence, leaving his thought unfinished.

He avoids answering the question about his phone at first, instead suggesting a more interesting topic.

I always thought making short films would be incredibly challenging, and I still believe that’s true. It’s funny, because I personally struggle to tell a story in under two and a half hours! I remember hearing about how Stanley Kubrick admired Ridley Scott’s concise storytelling in commercials. Now, some of the most creative work is happening in incredibly short formats-like 10 or 15 seconds-and I find it difficult to even begin a story in just 30 minutes.

You like a nice long ramp, I affirm.

Anderson enjoys creating compelling narratives through visual storytelling, which has been his life’s work. However, he acknowledges other incredibly creative and humorous approaches to conveying ideas that he personally couldn’t achieve, but deeply appreciates. He finds that even a short, 15-second clip can brighten his day, and he’s always eager to see what’s next.

I feel like you’re confessing that you enjoy a good scroll through social media.

Anderson chuckled. “I’d never confess to such a…” He trailed off, still laughing. “…a truly awful habit.” We both burst out laughing, feeling a bit embarrassed. “You know,” he said, “a serious person like me shouldn’t get caught watching silly videos of people falling or doing funny dances. But I do-I can’t help it. It’s everywhere!”

Anderson has almost finished his lunch of cucumber salad, pita bread, and hummus, and I’m about to let him enjoy getting his portrait done.

“You ever get reflective these days?” I ask. “The kids are growing up. Your oldest is almost 20.”

He gave me this look, almost a sigh, and asked if *I* was being reflective, if *I* did that sort of thing. It’s his go-to move when he’s not thrilled with a question – especially if it asks him to, well, actually *think* about something and share his thoughts.

Anderson believes in fully embracing the future and not dwelling on the past. As he puts it, focusing on moving forward means you don’t need to look back, because the past is already gone.

Read More

2025-09-18 13:32