One Battle After Another Review – Paul Thomas Anderson’s Epic Masterpiece: Is This the Best Film of 2025?
As of January 13, 2026, One Battle After Another (released September 26, 2025) stands as one of the most acclaimed and debated films of the year. Directed, written, and produced by Paul Thomas Anderson (PTA), this black comedy action thriller — loosely inspired by Thomas Pynchon’s 1990 novel Vineland — has earned universal acclaim, with a Metacritic score of 95/100 (based on 63 critics) and a Rotten Tomatoes consensus calling it “Paul Thomas Anderson’s most entertaining film yet while also one of his most thematically rich.” Many critics and audiences hail it as the best film of 2025, topping numerous year-end lists, earning massive awards buzz (including 9 Golden Globe nominations and 7 SAG nods), and grossing over $200 million worldwide on a reported $175 million budget — Anderson’s highest-grossing film to date.
Here are some striking official posters and key visuals from the campaign, capturing the film’s chaotic, revolutionary energy and star-studded ensemble:
These posters highlight the film’s bold, satirical tone — a mix of screwball adventure, political fury, and personal drama.
Plot Overview (Spoiler-Free)
The story follows Bob Ferguson (Leonardo DiCaprio), a washed-up, perpetually stoned ex-revolutionary living off-grid in paranoia with his spirited, self-reliant daughter Willa (Chase Infiniti, in her breakout film debut). When his old nemesis — a tyrannical Colonel with ties to authoritarian forces (Sean Penn) — resurfaces after 16 years and kidnaps Willa, Bob must reunite his former radical group (including Regina Hall, Teyana Taylor, and Benicio del Toro) to rescue her. What begins as a frantic father-daughter quest spirals into a chaotic battle against systemic oppression, secret societies, and the lingering ghosts of past rebellions. Shot in VistaVision (one of the first major films to revive the format since the 1960s), the 2-hour-41-minute runtime blends high-octane action (car chases, shootouts, absurd set pieces) with dark humor, family drama, and sharp commentary on resistance, complacency, and the American political landscape.
Here are intense stills from the film showcasing the ensemble’s explosive chemistry and PTA’s signature visual flair:
Critical & Audience Reception
Critics praised it as a “towering achievement” (Rotten Tomatoes) and “cinematic classic of sweeping visual grandeur” — a rare blend of entertainment and depth. Highlights include:
- Leonardo DiCaprio’s magnetic, career-highlight performance as the paranoid dad.
- Teyana Taylor’s “eruptive” revolutionary zeal (earning year-end best performance nods).
- Sean Penn’s chilling villain.
- Jonny Greenwood’s nerve-shredding score.
- PTA’s direction: ambitious, funny, and politically bold without preachiness.
Some found it “occasionally confusing” or “scattershot,” but the consensus leans heavily positive — it’s PTA’s most accessible yet thematically dense work since There Will Be Blood. Audiences loved the humor, action, and relevance to modern politics (far-left vs. far-right clashes, immigration, fascism satire). It topped many 2025 best-of lists, with endorsements from Spielberg (“insane and really incredible”), Scorsese, Coppola, and even Jennifer Lawrence calling it “the best movie [she’s] ever seen.”
Why It Could Be the Best Film of 2025 (My Analysis)
- PTA’s Evolution — After the nostalgic charm of Licorice Pizza (2021), Anderson delivers his most urgent, politically charged film. It combines his early manic energy (Boogie Nights, Magnolia) with later maturity (The Master, Phantom Thread), resulting in a screwball epic that’s thrillingly relevant.
- Comparison to Past Works — Unlike the introspective Phantom Thread or nostalgic Licorice Pizza, this feels like a modern Inherent Vice (his previous Pynchon adaptation) on steroids — bigger budget, more action, sharper satire. It’s PTA’s most entertaining while remaining thematically rich.
- Fan & Cultural Impact — Reactions range from “PTA making modern fascists look like the dumbest pieces of shit” to debates over its “righteous indignation.” It sparked conversations about politics in cinema, with some right-wing critics calling for delays over “incitement” — proof of its provocative power.
- Personal Take — This is PTA at his peak: visually stunning (VistaVision grandeur), emotionally resonant (father-daughter bond), and hilariously absurd. DiCaprio’s stoner paranoia and Taylor’s fire make it unforgettable. In a year of strong films, it stands out for its bold, unapologetic voice — yes, it might just be the best of 2025.
Where to Watch One Battle After Another (Now Available)
- Streaming — Available on Max (HBO Max), rent/buy on Fandango at Home, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Apple TV, etc.
What do you think—does One Battle After Another live up to the “best of 2025” hype for you, or do you prefer PTA’s quieter films? Drop your thoughts in the comments! 🍿
