Leonardo DiCaprio’s new movie One Battle After Another receives five-star reviews across the board – as critics state ‘Oscars glory oozes’ from ‘the defining film of a generation’

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Paul Thomas Anderson’s newest film, tentatively titled ‘One Battle After Another,’ is receiving rave reviews and is already being discussed as a potential Oscar contender.

The new movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio, a fast-paced thriller inspired by Thomas Pynchon’s novel *Vineland*, has received overwhelmingly positive reviews, with some critics calling it a landmark film for its generation.

As a lifestyle expert, I’m always on the lookout for truly exceptional experiences, and let me tell you, this movie is one of them! Nick Howells of The Standard gave it a perfect five-star rating, and I completely agree. It’s easily the most stylish and expertly crafted film I’ve seen all year, and honestly, I can already picture it taking home a lot of Oscars. It just *feels* like a winner from beginning to end.

You know, everyone always expects Leonardo DiCaprio to steal the show in a big movie, and he often does! But honestly, the real buzz after this film was all about Paul Thomas Anderson. Critics were raving about his work – saying it was incredibly dynamic and unexpected. It reminded a lot of them of his earlier, truly brilliant films like ‘Boogie Nights,’ ‘There Will Be Blood,’ and ‘Phantom Thread.’ He just has a way of making movies that really stick with you.

The film is generating significant buzz, not just from critics but also from betting markets. Ladbrokes has dramatically shortened the odds of it winning the 2026 Best Picture Oscar, shifting from 12/1 last week to even money – a rare and noteworthy change.

I’ve been really captivated by the film *One Battle After Another*. It features a brilliant performance by Leo as Bob Ferguson – he plays this wonderfully chaotic and troubled character, a bit of a paranoid recluse living off the grid with his daughter, Willa. Bob shares custody of Willa with Perfidia, played by the incredibly talented Teyana Taylor, and their dynamic adds a really interesting layer to the story.

The movie centers on his journey to find his daughter, and his reunion with old friends who join the search. Benicio Del Toro plays the role of his mentor, helping him navigate this difficult chapter of his life.

This exciting thriller, which blends suspense with dark humor, features Sean Penn as Bob’s dangerous enemy, Colonel Steven J. Lockjaw, and Regina Hall as the determined revolutionary Deandra.

Even renowned director Steven Spielberg was highly impressed, exclaiming the movie was incredibly action-packed. He said the first hour alone contained more action than all the films he’d ever seen combined, and praised the overall quality as ‘really incredible’.

It’s a really strange but surprisingly relevant mix of ideas, and I actually think it’s become *more* relevant now than it was when the movie was first made and everyone started working on it.

Robbie Collin of The Telegraph has given the film another five-star review, noting that director Paul Thomas Anderson – known for films like *There Will Be Blood* and *Phantom Thread* – consistently delivers unexpected and impressive work.

Despite everything, his new film is surprisingly brilliant and unexpected. It’s a large-scale, satirical comedy in the vein of ‘Dr. Strangelove,’ featuring characters reminiscent of Antifa activists. It also feels very much like a classic 1970s Hollywood movie, showing a remarkable trust in the viewers’ intelligence.

For over two and a half hours, the film keeps you on the edge of your seat, building to a thrilling chase scene on a rough desert road, complete with action that will leave you breathless.

The film ends with a thrilling rush of excitement, leaving you breathless and happy, and wanting to experience it all over again.

Caryn James for BBC comment on how the ‘ambitious film work runs so smoothly’. 

Paul Thomas Anderson directs this bold and funny action-drama with incredible skill, while Leonardo DiCaprio delivers a deeply moving performance at its center.

Once the influential American directors from the 1970s are no longer making films, Paul Thomas Anderson could be considered the most important American director working today.

Most filmmakers would be satisfied with a single film like *Boogie Nights*, *There Will Be Blood*, or *Phantom Thread*, but Paul Thomas Anderson consistently delivers exceptional work. This latest film continues his streak of consistently high quality.

David Gonzalez of The Cinematic Reel calls this film not just excellent, but a truly significant work – the best movie of the year, and potentially one that will define cinema for years to come. He describes it as a major cinematic accomplishment.

A user on X praised Paul Thomas Anderson’s latest film, calling it the most innovative movie released by a major studio in a long time and potentially one of the best films ever made.

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2025-09-18 12:34