One Battle After Another

Reviews
DosAnjos
Wow, what a wild ride. You’re constantly on the edge of your seat. If you’re looking for a cozy, relaxing night at the movies, forget it.. your chair will be yanked out from under you. There’s no room for comfort or rest here. It’s masterful.
Manuel São Bento
FULL SPOILER-FREE REVIEW @ https://movieswetextedabout.com/one-battle-after-another-movie-review-a-star-is-born-in-one-of-the-years-best-and-most-important-films/ "One Battle After Another is a technical feat, a movie with brilliant performances and a thematic density that can only be truly processed after multiple viewings over time. It's a chaotic, intense, and surprisingly hilarious examination of the state of America, the weight of history, and how the fight for a better future is passed from one generation to the next. The entire cast is phenomenal, but newcomer Chase Infiniti is a true revelation, delivering a captivating and emotionally powerful performance that perfectly embodies the theme of generational hope. While I don't share the hyperbole generated by the initial reactions, it's clearly one of the most important and well-made films of the year. Driven by a masterful score and a sharp script from Paul Thomas Anderson, where every detail matters, it's a dense story about the battles we cannot escape and the family we fight for. Rating: A-
gvasil
The undisputed film of the year has only been in theaters for 4 days, yet it has already captivated audiences and critics alike, and not without reason. Amidst hundreds of mediocrities released every year, a film finally emerges that emphatically has something to say. And indeed, at the most suitable social and historical moment. The film narrates the lives of people who chose to take action against the man-eating capitalist system of the 21st century, which inevitably degenerates into a fascist regime when reactions grow. And primarily, it focuses on the consequences these individuals face from the vengeful state apparatus, which sweeps away anything and anyone who dares to oppose it. The film was released in theaters on September 26, 2025, before the first year of Donald Trump's second presidential term was even completed, and more than 3 years before the next presidential elections. Paul Thomas Anderson (PTA), writing and directing One Battle After Another, takes a clear political stance on what is happening in the United States and globally. The film may take place in the US, but it does not focus on specific individuals, not even as institutions, and thus could refer to any country where democracy is ailing. The mastery of direction and the musical score is such that time flows relativistically quickly for the viewer, making the nearly 3-hour duration evaporate before you realize you’ve entered the theater. From a directorial perspective, new pages of cinematic history have been written, culminating in the car chase on the hilly Texas Dip highway of Borrego Springs. The performances of the exceptional cast are all very good, without any one standing out as Oscar-worthy. Sean Penn once again showcases his talent in the role of the villain, possessing the unique gift of becoming truly unlikable to the viewer in such roles (see Carlito’s Way, etc.). However, the essence and power of the film is undoubtedly its political message. Through the vehicle of fiction, Paul Thomas Anderson releases his political manifesto, which leaves no room for misinterpretation. From the title of the film to the shot of DiCaprio watching the film "The Battle of Algiers" by Gillo Pontecorvo, the message is clear. When democracy and individual freedoms are under attack, citizens must take action. In contrast, however, to "The Battle of Algiers," where we observe, in part, historical events that took place during Algeria's liberation struggle against French imperialism, in Anderson's film we become spectators of events that have not yet occurred, at least not in the United States. Yes, protests, and indeed massive ones, have taken place and are happening more frequently lately. But the film One Battle After Another does not propose sit-ins and placards as a solution. On the contrary, it primarily serves as a manual on the "how:. The "when", is still unknown. One thing is certain. American society is boiling. And some are preparing. On both sides.
CinemaSerf
A group of would-be revolutionaries in the USA storm an immigration centre and whilst they manage to free many of it’s captives, their leader “Perfidia” (Teyana Taylor) manages to make quite an impression on it’s commander “Lockjaw” (Sean Penn). Sadly for her though, she doesn’t remain free for very long afterwards but in that meantime she and fellow rebel “Bob” (Leonardo DiCaprio) have managed to have a baby. Spool on and now she is a teenager living quietly with her dad, entirely unaware of her dangerous provenance. “Lockjaw” has no intention of forgetting the slight paid to him, and when he cottons on to their location he sends in his heavies. She is apprehended, he escapes, and the rest of this follows his adventures as he tries to mobilise his old friends and rescue his daughter “Willa” (Chase Infiniti). Now this looks great, the pace is pretty break-neck and the dialogue is quick-fire and frequently quite pithy as we merge a series of scenarios that reminded me of the “A-Team”. DiCaprio looks like he is enjoying himself, as does Penn, but both of their characters and the underlying conspiratorial plot are disappointingly undercooked as the adventure builds and to it’s high octane conclusion. Does it really need to be so long? I’m not so sure. It does come across as a little disjointedly episodic at times but it is also politically bang-on (depending on your perspective) as it capitalises on currently salient points around immigration, corporatisation and militarisation. I didn’t love it and I do think it has been over-hyped, but it’s still a solidly entertaining watch.
tender_buttkiss
A pretty dang good movie. Feels like it takes place in a not too distant american future, and in some ways feels like it takes place in the same universe as civil war. But that's not to say it bears any resemblance to that movie. The action and manic energy of this movie had me locked in from the beginning. And bonus points for putting me in the holiday spirit thanks to the Christmas Adventurers club! Viva la revolution!
Brent Marchant
No matter how much we like to think that life’s bigger concerns have the greatest influence in dictating our actions, it’s nevertheless curious to see how the issues that affect us most personally – those seemingly “smaller” considerations – ultimately hold the most sway over our behavior. That becomes apparent in this latest offering from writer-director Paul Thomas Anderson, based on the 1990 novel Vineland by author Thomas Pynchon. In a quasi-dystopian version of America, a battle for control of the nation’s cultural and sociopolitical direction simmers between leftist vigilante rebels known as the French 75 and conservative authoritarian figures supported by the military and quietly backed by a moneyed class of ultra-right wing White supremacists known as the Christmas Adventurers. But, despite the magnitude accorded to this struggle, in the end, events in the personal lives of the combatants’ individual operatives have more impact in steering their actions. Set over the course of nearly two decades, the story follows the interracial relationship of French 75 members Perfidia Beverly Hills (Tayana Taylor) and Pat “Rocketman” Calhoun (Leonardo DiCaprio) as they carry out various missions reminiscent of 1960s radicals. The duo is in love (sort of), but, in the wake of one of their raids on an immigration detention camp, Perfidia meets and unexpectedly takes a shine to her opponent, Colonel Steven Lockjaw (Sean Penn), an encounter that leads to a tryst and unplanned pregnancy, all without Rocketman’s knowledge. Not long after Perfidia’s daughter is born, however, she leaves her partner to pursue her own rebel agenda, saddling Rocketman with the care of a daughter that he thinks is his. But, when Perfidia is captured by authorities, she rats out her colleagues (including Rocketman) in exchange for a spot in the witness protection program, forcing her former partner and his daughter into hiding. Skip ahead 16 years to a time when Lockjaw has an opportunity to move up in the Christmas Adventurers organization, provided he passes Caucasian purity scrutiny, a tricky proposition as the potential father of a mixed-race child. To cover his tracks on this possible “liability,” he must track down the missing child, now a teenager (Chase Infiniti), who has spent the ensuing years with her presumed dad, both of whom have assumed aliases while in hiding. And, when word of this gets back to them, they’re forced to go on the run to avoid capture (or worse). That’s easier said than done, though, given that Rocketman has developed substance abuse issues that have taken their toll on him. Fortunately, however, he’s aided by a cool, composed street smart sensei master (Benicio Del Toro) who confidently manages the affairs of the immigrant residents of a sanctuary city, having become adept at helping others stay ahead of officials. And so, despite the broader conflict going on around these characters, their priorities are almost exclusively personal as they seek to tend to their respective agendas. But can they? Thus begins a kickass thrill ride as all concerned seek to protect themselves at all costs, a story filled with great action sequences, riveting chase scenes, and mesmerizing twists and turns, with a good measure of comic relief thrown in to make it interesting. Admittedly, there are times (especially early on in the film) when the connections between the various story threads aren’t connected or made clear as well as they might have been, and Del Toro’s character and storyline feel somewhat underdeveloped. But those issues are more than compensated for by the picture’s other strengths, as well as an outstanding performance by Penn in a role in which he expertly plays against type. The film, which has a vibe somewhat reminiscent of the excellent contemporary thriller “Eddington” from earlier this year, is also surprisingly well paced for a movie with a 2:41:00 runtime, a noteworthy accomplishment, to be sure. And, like “Eddington,” this offering has drawn its share of mixed reactions from viewers and critics, probably for some of the same cultural and sociopolitical reasons as those associated with that earlier offering. However, “One Battle After Another” is truly worth the time, another fine release from a gifted filmmaker.
Henry | The Reel Verdict
Movie Review: One Battle After Another One Battle After Another is a masterful dark comedy-drama that skillfully balances humour with unsettling realism. The performances are compelling, and the cinematography strikingly captures both the intimacy and tension of each scene. Beneath its moments of humour lies a powerful narrative about love, resilience, and the human cost of political conflict. The film’s ability to be both enjoyable and unnerving makes it a provocative, thought-provoking experience, one that lingers long after the credits roll. Rating: 8/10
Movie Recommendation
The Smashing Machine2025-10-01In the late 1990s, up-and-coming mixed martial artist Mark Kerr aspires to become the greatest fighter in the world. However, he must also battle his opioid dependence and a volatile relationship with his girlfriend Dawn.More...
TRON: Ares2025-10-08A highly sophisticated Program called Ares is sent from the digital world into the real world on a dangerous mission, marking humankind's first encounter with A.I. beings.More...
The Voice of Hind Rajab2025-09-25January 29, 2024. Red Crescent volunteers receive an emergency call. A 6-year old girl is trapped in a car under fire in Gaza, pleading for rescue. While trying to keep her on the line, they do everything they can to get an ambulance to her. Her name was Hind Rajab.More...
The Long Walk2025-09-10In a dystopian, alternate-America ruled by a totalitarian regime, fifty teenage boys take part in a deadly annual walking contest, forced to maintain a minimum pace or be executed, until only one survivor remains.More...
The Last One for the Road2025-09-25A couple of jovial life-long drunkards run into a shy architecture undergrad, whose way of seeing things will be transformed as the trio wanders from pub to pub in search of a buried treasure.More...
The Holy Boy2025-09-17A PE teacher moves to a isolated mountain village where the people appear to live in unshakeable serenity, but soon stumbles across a disturbing ritual. Once a week, the locals are freed of their pain by a lonely boy born with the power to heal one's soul just by hugging them. Trying to rescue him from this madness, the man unleashes his dark side.More...
The Toxic Avenger Unrated2025-08-28When a downtrodden janitor, Winston Gooze, is exposed to a catastrophic toxic accident, he’s transformed into a new kind of hero: The Toxic Avenger. Now, Toxie must rise from outcast to savior, taking on ruthless corporate overlords and corrupt forces who threaten his son, his friends, and his community.More...
Caught Stealing2025-08-26Burned-out ex-baseball player Hank Thompson unexpectedly finds himself embroiled in a dangerous struggle for survival amidst the criminal underbelly of late 1990s New York City, forced to navigate a treacherous underworld he never imagined.More...
The Woman in Cabin 102025-10-09On a lavish yacht for an assignment, a journalist sees a passenger go overboard. But when no one believes her, she risks her life to uncover the truth.More...
The Fantastic 4: First Steps2025-07-23Against the vibrant backdrop of a 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic world, Marvel's First Family is forced to balance their roles as heroes with the strength of their family bond, while defending Earth from a ravenous space god called Galactus and his enigmatic Herald, Silver Surfer.More...
Honey Don't!2025-08-21Honey O'Donahue, a small-town private investigator, delves into a series of strange deaths tied to a mysterious church.More...
Good Boy2025-10-01A loyal dog moves to a rural family home with his owner Todd, only to discover supernatural forces lurking in the shadows. As dark entities threaten his human companion, the brave pup must fight to protect the one he loves most.More...
It Was Just an Accident2025-09-27Vahid, an Azerbaijani auto mechanic, was once imprisoned by Iranian authorities. During his sentence, he was interrogated blindfolded. One day, a man named Eqbal enters his workshop. His prosthetic leg creaks, and Vahid thinks he recognizes one of his former torturers.More...
The Blue Trail2025-08-28In the name of economic recovery, the Brazilian Government created a perennial system of compulsory vertical isolation for seniors over 80 to be confined in a colony. Teca is 77 and lives in the village of Muriti, in the Amazon, when she is surprised by the announcement of the age reduction, including her age group. Cornered, Teca makes an intriguing journey hidden from the officers amidst rivers, boats and the underworld to clandestinely try to fulfill her last dream, to take a plane ride.More...
Play Dirty2025-09-30Expert thief Parker gets a shot at a major heist, but to pull it off he and his team must outsmart a South American dictator, the New York mob, and the world's richest man.More...
Sirāt2025-06-06A man and his son arrive at a rave lost in the mountains of Morocco. They are looking for Marina, their daughter and sister, who disappeared months ago at another rave. Driven by fate, they decide to follow a group of ravers in search of one last party, in hopes Marina will be there.More...
The Lost Bus2025-09-19A determined father risks everything to rescue a dedicated teacher and her students from a raging wildfire.More...
All of You2025-09-26Laura and Simon have been best friends since college. Over the years, they've realized their bond is more than platonic. Can they—and should they—risk everything to explore a love that has existed all along?More...
Bob Trevino Likes It2025-03-20Lily Trevino unexpectedly befriends an online stranger who shares her self-centered father’s name. This new Bob Trevino’s support could transform her life.More...
McWalter2025-09-12McWalter, a legendary American elite agent, is falsely accused of a series of attacks all around the globe. Determined to clear his name, he goes on the run to solve the mystery, thwart a earthwise conspiracy, and save the world…More...
Similar Movies
Twitz from Pluto: Gra...
2022-06-24The story of two teenage extraterrestrial refugees from the planet Pluto, who escape to Earth after their planet is destroyed by the US government, as it was deemed “insignificant.” For many years prior, tensions between the Plutonians and the Earthlings had seen a steady incline, as Pluto held camps where Earthlings were experimented on and tortured. The two aliens make their crash landing, undertake human form and undergo the aliases “Hugh Jainus” and “E. Rection”. In an effort to wage revenge on the nation, with their brainwashed sidekick Potator under their wing, the trio hijack television stations worldwide and broadcast mind-numbingly stupid and ridiculous, yet insane and often violent programs to dumb down and distract the nation’s citizens from their devious plans. The tube tells the story...Cruel Train
1995-12-22In wartime England, railway official Ruben Roberts discovers that his wife was sexually abused as a child by the Chairman of the Line, also her godfather. With her assistance, Ruben plots murder on the Brighton Express.Butch Cassidy and the...
1969-09-23As the west rapidly becomes civilized, a pair of outlaws in 1890s Wyoming find themselves pursued by a posse and decide to flee to South America in hopes of evading the law.Dr. No
1962-10-07Agent 007 battles mysterious Dr. No, a scientific genius bent on destroying the U.S. space program. As the countdown to disaster begins, Bond must go to Jamaica, where he encounters beautiful Honey Ryder, to confront a megalomaniacal villain in his massive island headquarters.From Russia with Love...
1963-10-10Agent 007 is back in the second installment of the James Bond series, this time battling a secret crime organization known as SPECTRE. Russians Rosa Klebb and Kronsteen are out to snatch a decoding device known as the Lektor, using the ravishing Tatiana to lure Bond into helping them. Bond willingly travels to meet Tatiana in Istanbul, where he must rely on his wits to escape with his life in a series of deadly encounters with the enemy.Goldfinger
1964-09-20Special agent 007 comes face to face with one of the most notorious villains of all time, and now he must outwit and outgun the powerful tycoon to prevent him from cashing in on a devious scheme to raid Fort Knox -- and obliterate the world's economy.You Only Live Twice
1967-06-13A mysterious spacecraft captures Russian and American space capsules and brings the two superpowers to the brink of war. James Bond investigates the case in Japan and comes face to face with his archenemy Blofeld.On Her Majesty's Secr...
1969-12-18James Bond tracks his archnemesis, Ernst Blofeld, to a mountaintop retreat in the Swiss alps where he is training an army of beautiful, lethal women. Along the way, Bond falls for Italian contessa Tracy Draco, and marries her in order to get closer to Blofeld.Oldboy
2003-11-21With no clue how he came to be imprisoned, drugged and tortured for 15 years, a desperate man seeks revenge on his captors.Diamonds Are Forever
1971-12-14Diamonds are stolen only to be sold again in the international market. James Bond infiltrates a smuggling mission to find out who's guilty. The mission takes him to Las Vegas where Bond meets his archenemy Blofeld.The Man with the Gold...
1974-12-04Cool government operative James Bond searches for a stolen invention that can turn the sun's heat into a destructive weapon. He soon crosses paths with the menacing Francisco Scaramanga, a hitman so skilled he has a seven-figure working fee. Bond then joins forces with the swimsuit-clad Mary Goodnight, and together they track Scaramanga to a Thai tropical isle hideout where the killer-for-hire lures the slick spy into a deadly maze for a final duel.The Spy Who Loved Me
1977-07-07Russian and British submarines with nuclear missiles on board both vanish from sight without a trace. England and Russia both blame each other as James Bond tries to solve the riddle of the disappearing ships. But the KGB also has an agent on the case.The Shining
1980-05-23Jack Torrance accepts a caretaker job at the Overlook Hotel, where he, along with his wife Wendy and their son Danny, must live isolated from the rest of the world for the winter. But they aren't prepared for the madness that lurks within.Moonraker
1979-06-26After Drax Industries' Moonraker space shuttle is hijacked, secret agent James Bond is assigned to investigate, traveling to California to meet the company's owner, the mysterious Hugo Drax. With the help of scientist Dr. Holly Goodhead, Bond soon uncovers Drax's nefarious plans for humanity, all the while fending off an old nemesis, Jaws, and venturing to Venice, Rio, the Amazon...and even outer space.Murder She Said
1961-09-26Miss Marple believes she's seen a murder in a passing-by train, yet when the police find no evidence she decides to investigate it on her own.Murder at the Gallop
1963-05-09Miss Marple and Mr. Stringer are witnesses to the death by heart attack of elderly, rich Mr. Enderby. Yet they have their doubts about what happened. The police don't believe them, thus leading Miss Marple to yet again investigate by herself.Murder Most Foul
1964-03-01A murderer is brought to court and only Miss Marple is unconvinced of his innocence. Once again she begins her own investigation.GoodFellas
1990-09-12The true story of Henry Hill, a half-Irish, half-Sicilian Brooklyn kid who is adopted by neighbourhood gangsters at an early age and climbs the ranks of a Mafia family under the guidance of Jimmy Conway.Pirates of the Caribb...
2003-07-09After Port Royal is attacked and pillaged by a mysterious pirate crew, capturing the governor's daughter Elizabeth Swann in the process, William Turner asks free-willing pirate Jack Sparrow to help him locate the crew's ship—The Black Pearl—so that he can rescue the woman he loves.Pirates of the Caribb...
2006-07-06Captain Jack Sparrow races to recover the heart of Davy Jones to avoid enslaving his soul to Jones' service, as other friends and foes seek the heart for their own agenda as well.