‘The Hype Is Real.’ Critics Have Seen One Battle After Another, And They Have Strong Opinions About Leonardo DiCaprio’s New Action Thriller

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Paul Thomas Anderson, the acclaimed director behind films like *There Will Be Blood* and *Licorice Pizza*, has received numerous Academy Award nominations. He has a new movie coming out in 2025 called *One Battle After Another*, an ambitious action thriller. Early reviews are coming in ahead of the film’s September 26th release, and it boasts a strong cast. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to Anderson’s work, this is one to watch.

Leonardo DiCaprio plays a former revolutionary forced to team up with his old crew in the new film, One Battle After Another, to save his daughter from a dishonest military officer played by Sean Penn. The movie features Benicio del Toro, Regina Hall, Teyana Taylor, and others. While Steven Spielberg praised the film, critics’ overall reactions are still coming in. For example, David Ehrlich from IndieWire gave it an ‘A’ grade, saying:

This wildly entertaining and surprisingly heartfelt film doesn’t shy away from the difficult issues facing the nation, like immigration detention and the rise of extremist ideologies. It brilliantly captures the intense anxiety of modern life, reflecting the surreal and overwhelming nature of our current reality, and even offers a hopeful vision for navigating it all.

According to Adam Nayman of The Ringer, *One Battle After Another* showcases director Paul Thomas Anderson at his peak, and he believes it deserves to win Anderson his first Oscar – a sentiment shared by Leonardo DiCaprio and Benicio Del Toro. Nayman then continues with his written review.

The buzz is justified. The film features incredibly smooth and clear sequences – expertly composed, edited, and delivering an immersive experience, much like the filmmaking technique described by scholar David Bordwell as ‘intensified continuity’. Even those who doubted the director’s abilities will likely be impressed. The message is clear: it’s time to seriously consider awarding this film’s director an Oscar, or perhaps reconsider the award altogether.

Richard Lawson of The Hollywood Reporter praises the film as remarkably relevant, noting its courageous tackling of today’s challenging political climate and its direct message about the importance of mutual support.

In a time when many American films lack a clear point of view, ‘One Battle After Another’ stands out. Remarkably, it’s backed by a major studio and doesn’t shy away from expressing its anger, sadness, and ideas for improvement. The film doesn’t offer naive optimism; it acknowledges past and future suffering with respect. However, its ending suggests a hopeful, though hard-won, future beyond the destruction, a future still worth fighting for. The title itself could express either weary resignation or a determined call to action.

Owen Gleiberman, writing for Variety, admits that the way One Battle After Another is described might seem overly bleak and like a harsh satire about the current state of the world and its potential future. However, he goes on to say…

One Battle After Another is surprisingly both sweeping in its scope – addressing the worries of our time – and deeply personal and realistic. It tackles big ideas with substance, and while it’s often subtly humorous, it avoids being preachy or overly strange. The film portrays a society held captive, but never forgets the human element at its core.

According to Brian Tallerico at RogerEbert.com, Paul Thomas Anderson’s film adaptation of Thomas Pynchon’s *Vineland*, though based on an 80s novel, feels strikingly relevant to today’s political climate due to the story’s enduring themes. Tallerico gave the film a perfect score, awarding it 4 out of 4 stars, and stated:

Anderson’s screenplay is a truly memorable story about fighting back. It skillfully blends inspiration from real events, like the history of the Weather Underground, with classic rebel movies. But more than that, it’s a fast-paced, enjoyable, and ultimately touching look at the people caught in the middle of the turmoil. From the very beginning, the film is electric and keeps you engaged for its entire 162-minute runtime.

Look, everyone’s saying it – *One Battle After Another* is a hit. Rotten Tomatoes has officially given it a ‘Certified Fresh’ badge with a whopping 98% score, based on over 160 reviews! I’m seeing a lot of award buzz, and if you’re curious to judge for yourself, you can catch Paul Thomas Anderson’s latest starting this Friday, September 26th.

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2025-09-25 23:11