10 Astonishing Insights into One Battle After Another — Leonardo DiCaprio’s Most Unhinged Role Yet
Discover One Battle After Another, Paul Thomas Anderson’s electrifying new film starring Leonardo DiCaprio. From its political edge and powerhouse cast to its critical acclaim and VistaVision visuals, here are 10 surprising reasons this movie is the must-see of 2025. In 2025, cinema fans were craving something bold, unpredictable, and unforgettable. Enter One Battle After Another, the latest release from Paul Thomas Anderson (PTA), a director known for pushing boundaries with films like There Will Be Blood, The Master, and Licorice Pizza. But this time, Anderson takes an even bigger swing: a politically charged, emotionally raw, yet surprisingly hilarious epic set firmly in the present day.
And at the heart of this story? Leonardo DiCaprio, in what many critics are calling one of his most unhinged and career-defining performances. With rave reviews, towering performances from its ensemble cast, and a visual style that blends old Hollywood with modern grit, One Battle After Another is more than a film—it’s an experience.
In this post, we’ll dive into 10 astonishing insights about the movie—covering everything from its 20-year development to its stunning cinematography, political undertones, powerhouse performances, and why it’s a must-see in theaters right now.
1. A Film Two Decades in the Making
Paul Thomas Anderson has never rushed his vision. One Battle After Another was in development for over 20 years, with Anderson originally exploring an adaptation of Thomas Pynchon’s Vineland. Instead of a direct adaptation, he took inspiration from its counterculture themes and reworked them into an entirely original script.
Filming took place across California (Humboldt County, Sacramento), Texas (El Paso), and at the U.S.-Mexico border, grounding the story in political landscapes that feel uncomfortably real. To capture its distinct tone, Anderson resurrected the VistaVision 35mm film format, famously used in Hitchcock’s Vertigo. This technical choice instantly gives the film a timeless, almost surreal quality.
2. Plot Overview: Revolution Meets Fatherhood
At its core, One Battle After Another is a story about past choices colliding with present responsibilities.
- Bob Ferguson (Leonardo DiCaprio): Once a revolutionary and member of the radical group French 75, Bob now lives off the grid. He’s a washed-up figure raising his daughter Willa, trying to leave behind his violent past.
- Perfidia (Teyana Taylor): Bob’s former partner and fellow revolutionary, who chooses to remain active in her radical pursuits even after motherhood.
- Willa (Chase Infiniti): Bob’s daughter, caught between resentment and loyalty, trying to navigate adolescence under the weight of secrets she doesn’t fully understand.
- Col. Steven J. Lockjaw (Sean Penn): The vengeful lawman who reignites Bob’s past, pushing father and daughter into survival mode.
The film is not a linear political thriller. Instead, it’s a messy, unpredictable journey blending satire, action, heartbreak, and comedy—all wrapped in a relentless pace that keeps audiences guessing.
3. Leonardo DiCaprio at His Rawest
Critics are unanimous: DiCaprio’s performance in One Battle After Another is one of the most unrestrained of his career.
- He plays Bob as physically broken but emotionally combustible, swinging between slapstick humor and gut-wrenching despair.
- His chemistry with Chase Infiniti (Willa) is magnetic, portraying the push-pull of a father-daughter bond under extraordinary circumstances.
- For many, this role feels like the culmination of DiCaprio’s career: a character embodying chaos, love, failure, and survival all at once.
If you thought DiCaprio’s intensity peaked in The Revenant or The Wolf of Wall Street, think again—One Battle After Another pushes him even further.
4. The Breakout Star: Chase Infiniti
Every few years, a young actor bursts onto the scene with such confidence it feels like a once-in-a-decade debut. Chase Infiniti is that star for 2025.
As Willa, she holds her own against DiCaprio with fiery resilience. Critics highlight her ability to shift from sharp sarcasm to emotional vulnerability seamlessly. Without her grounded performance, the movie’s chaotic energy might have toppled over. Instead, she becomes its emotional anchor.
5. Women Who Steal the Spotlight
Anderson’s film doesn’t just center male characters. Female roles here are layered, dynamic, and unforgettable.
- Teyana Taylor (Perfidia): Commands the screen with every moment. Even when off-screen, her presence drives Bob’s motivations and the story’s tension.
- Regina Hall (Deandra): Known for her comedy, Hall delivers a performance of heartbreaking depth, adding emotional richness to the narrative.
Together, they prove that One Battle After Another is not just a DiCaprio showcase but an ensemble triumph.
6. The Supporting Powerhouses: Benicio del Toro & Sean Penn
No Paul Thomas Anderson film is complete without scene-stealing side characters.
- Benicio del Toro as Sensei Sergio St. Carlos: Offers comic relief and philosophical grounding, playing a mentor-like figure with effortless charm.
- Sean Penn as Col. Steven J. Lockjaw: A villain who’s both absurd and terrifying. His exaggerated mannerisms make audiences laugh even as his authoritarian menace feels uncomfortably real.
Penn’s performance has been described as “hysterical and frightening at once,” cementing Lockjaw as one of the most memorable antagonists of recent cinema.
7. The Cinematic Look: VistaVision & Hitchcockian Vibes
One of the most talked-about aspects of the film is its visual style.
- Shot on VistaVision 35mm, the images are wide, immersive, and textured, evoking the golden age of cinema.
- Anderson and cinematographer Michael Bauman use this format to create sweeping action scenes alongside intimate, claustrophobic moments.
- The effect is a film that feels both rooted in 2025 and reminiscent of mid-century thrillers—bridging old and new Hollywood.
This choice isn’t just technical—it enhances the storytelling, amplifying chaos and stillness in equal measure.
8. The Sound of Survival: Jonny Greenwood’s Score
Longtime Anderson collaborator Jonny Greenwood once again proves why he’s one of cinema’s most in-demand composers.
- The score shifts from unnerving strings to dissonant crescendos, perfectly echoing Bob’s fractured psyche.
- Critics note that Greenwood’s music feels like an additional character—driving tension, releasing catharsis, and making silence hit even harder.
It’s not background music—it’s an emotional force.
9. Political Relevance Without Preaching
One Battle After Another is deeply political, but it never feels like a lecture.
- Themes include immigration, radical activism, state violence, and generational trauma.
- Instead of overt messaging, the film presents chaos as it is—forcing audiences to reflect on today’s fractured world.
- The result is a movie that feels like a mirror: bent, distorted, and frighteningly familiar.
This subtlety makes it resonate across political lines, ensuring that it sparks conversation rather than division.
10. Critical Acclaim: A Masterpiece in 2025
Reception has been nothing short of glowing:
- Rotten Tomatoes: 97% approval
- Metacritic: 96/100 (universal acclaim)
- Audience Buzz: Fans call it “the most intense theater experience of the year.”
- Even Steven Spielberg praised the movie, calling it “insane—in the best way possible.”
With award season approaching, many are already predicting Oscar nominations for DiCaprio, Chase Infiniti, and Anderson himself.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Is One Battle After Another based on a book?
Not directly. It was inspired by Thomas Pynchon’s Vineland, but Paul Thomas Anderson crafted an original story.
Q2: Where was One Battle After Another filmed?
Key locations include California (Humboldt County, Sacramento), Texas (El Paso), and the U.S.-Mexico border.
Q3: Who plays Willa, Bob Ferguson’s daughter?
Willa is played by newcomer Chase Infiniti, whose breakout performance is one of the film’s biggest highlights.
Q4: What’s unique about the cinematography?
The movie was shot on VistaVision 35mm, a format not widely used since Hitchcock’s era, giving it a rare blend of vintage and modern aesthetics.
Q5: Is the movie worth watching in theaters?
Absolutely. Between its immersive visuals, booming score, and explosive performances, One Battle After Another is designed for the big screen.
Why One Battle After Another Stands Apart
In a year crowded with blockbusters and sequels, Paul Thomas Anderson has delivered something extraordinary. One Battle After Another is a bold, messy, hilarious, heartbreaking, and unforgettable film that dares to hold a funhouse mirror up to society.
Leonardo DiCaprio’s rawest performance in years, Chase Infiniti’s breakout role, powerhouse female characters, and the masterful technical execution make this not just a movie but an event. It’s one of those rare films that leaves you laughing, unsettled, and thinking long after the credits roll.
If you see one film in theaters this fall, make it One Battle After Another.