There Will Be Blood is PT Anderson’s Best Movie, Not One Battle After Another

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Leading up to the 2026 Oscars, one film consistently topped the conversation: One Battle After Another. Director Paul Thomas Anderson sparked familiar awards-season debate with this modern Western, starring Leonardo DiCaprio as Bob, a former revolutionary simply trying to shield his teenage daughter. Anderson has said he made the film with his own children in mind, feeling a responsibility to acknowledge the state of the world his generation is leaving behind. One Battle After Another tells the story of Bob’s early days as a rebel and his romance with Perfidia Beverly Hills, with whom he had a daughter. When Perfidia made a deal with the authorities to betray the rebel group, Bob and his daughter were forced to flee, living a life constantly in danger.

Anderson’s latest film, One Battle After Another, boasts stunning visuals and feels like a classic Hollywood production. While enjoyable and well-made, it didn’t quite live up to the hype. Anderson consistently delivers high-quality work—even his less successful films are better than most. Many believe his peak came nearly twenty years ago with There Will Be Blood, a film that was surprisingly overlooked by the Academy Awards.

P.T. Anderson Should Have Won His Oscar For There Will Be Blood

The 2008 Oscars showcased a wealth of talented films, including nominees like No Country for Old Men, Atonement, and There Will Be Blood. Daniel Day-Lewis won Best Actor for his role as Daniel Plainview, but director Paul Thomas Anderson didn’t receive an award.

Although Paul Thomas Anderson was nominated three times, his film There Will Be Blood didn’t win, losing to No Country for Old Men. When he finally won an award in 2026, he jokingly commented that the Academy made filmmakers work hard for recognition. Regardless of the competition, There Will Be Blood was considered a standout film.

Despite strong competition in 2008, the film stood out as one of the best of the 21st century. Based on Upton Sinclair’s novel Oil!, it told a raw and realistic story about the pursuit of the American dream. The film opens with a stunning ten-minute sequence without any dialogue, before introducing Daniel Day-Lewis as a driven oil driller, famously declaring, “I am an oil man.”

There Will Be Blood is a stunning film, excelling in its visuals, music, writing, and performances. Director Paul Thomas Anderson powerfully conveys a cynical view of the American Dream, suggesting it’s often achieved through ruthless ambition and sacrifice. The film’s protagonist, Daniel Plainview, loses his compassion and even severs ties with his adopted son, all in pursuit of wealth and success.

Only after gaining wealth and defeating his enemy, Eli (played brilliantly by Paul Dano), did the character finally proclaim, “I’m finished!” His journey was a flawless and powerfully communicated character arc. Despite being a truly unique film, it didn’t receive the attention it deserved, a fact that would bother Anderson for the next two decades.

One Battle After Another Received a Classic Sympathy Oscar

Honestly, everyone pretty much knew One Battle After Another was going to dominate the 2026 Oscars before the show even started. But the hype felt… different this time. While the story was simple enough, and the ideas it explored were interesting, I just didn’t think it reached the heights of films like There Will Be Blood or even his earlier work, Phantom Thread. It felt like the praise was a little overblown, if I’m being honest.

Both films were ambitious and received numerous award nominations. It took several years for audiences and critics to fully appreciate Anderson’s work, and he began to receive recognition regardless of the film’s quality. While Anderson consistently pushes creative boundaries, One Battle After Another felt like a film that was awarded more out of respect for his career than for its own merits. The film’s lead actor benefited from this same kind of goodwill.

Leonardo DiCaprio was a consistently strong actor for many years, but his Oscar win didn’t come until later in his career. While his performances in films like Django Unchained and The Wolf of Wall Street really highlighted his skills, he wasn’t nominated for Best Actor for those roles. This isn’t unusual in Hollywood – even acclaimed director Martin Scorsese was initially overlooked when his classic film Goodfellas came out.

Despite receiving six nominations for Goodfellas, Joe Pesci’s Best Supporting Actor win was the film’s only award. Martin Scorsese finally received Best Director and Best Picture for The Departed in 2007, though many felt it came after a long wait. There’s no question about Scorsese’s skill as a director, and it’s common for artists to receive awards later in their careers as a sort of recognition for past oversights, even if that isn’t ideal.

While opinions on movies are always personal, Wes Anderson’s impact and skill are undeniable. He has a truly distinctive style and vision that’s instantly recognizable. Since the 1990s, he’s consistently created original and inventive films, each one different from the last. It’s surprising it took nearly thirty years for him to receive the full recognition he deserves. He’s a major force in the entertainment world, responsible for some of the most compelling stories ever filmed.

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2026-03-17 14:07