One Battle After Another (Paul Thomas Anderson, 2025): United States

Review by Gustav Bjuhr. Viewed at SBIFF.

I think this was a very good and interesting movie. I had very high expectations because I had heard a lot of good things about it before I watched it. The film almost lived up to those expectations, though not entirely. The story is engaging and the actors deliver strong performances throughout the entire movie. Overall, I think this is a movie that is definitely worth watching.

I saw this movie at the Arlington Theatre, which made the experience even better. As I have mentioned in previous reviews, this theatre is a very special venue. It is one of the most beautiful and coolest theatres I have ever been to and it really adds to the overall experience.  

The film is directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, who is also very known for films such as There Will Be Blood and Punch Drunk Love. The cast includes several well known actors, including Leonardo Dicaprio, Sean Penn and Benicio del Toro. Dicaprio is very known for his roles in The Wolf Of Wallstreet, Inception and Titanic. Sean Penn has appeared in films such as Mystic River and I Am Sam, while Benicio del Toro is well known for his performances in Sicario and The Wolfman.

At the beginning of One Battle After Another, we are introduced to the radical group French 75 as they carry out several uprisings and violent actions. These events create chaos and show how far the group is willing to go for their cause. As the story develops, some members begin to drift away from the group. Pat slowly distances himself after Perfidia has a child, as he wants to protect the family. 

A central theme in the movie is that the struggle never ends. When one conflict is resolved, a new one begins, both in society and in people’s private lives. The film also shows how beliefs and responsibilities can be passed down generations and how it affects families and relations. One special scene that stands out for me is when Pat and Perifidia argue about whether she should go on another mission after their child is born. I think this scene is emotionally powerful and shows the different priorities and goals they each have.

In this film, the acting and the cinematography stands out the most according to me. All the actors do a great job, especially Leonardo Dicaprio, who is excellent as usual, along with the other main characters. Their performances really capture the emotions throughout the film. 

Some of the camera shots were also very impressive, such as the car chase scene near the end. The way the camera follows the car makes the scene look very realistic. 

I have personally never seen any other films similar to One Battle After Another, but I know that Leonardo Dicaprio has been in many different action films before, such as Inception and Gangs Of New York. He often plays characters who face intense situations, which I think makes him well suited for this film. I think it is interesting to see him in this role because he really makes the action feel more exciting and believable.

As I said, I think this film is really good, and I would strongly recommend it to people, especially to fans of Leonardo Dicaprio, like me. I had very high expectations, and the facts that it almost reached them just shows that it is a very well made film. There is not much to complain about.