One Battle After Another Review: PT Anderson’s Smart Satire of Modern America
Director: Paul Thomas Anderson | Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, Benicio del Toro
Introduction: Satire at Its Sharpest
PT Anderson’s latest film, One Battle After Another, is already stirring conversation as one of the year’s most talked-about movies. I caught an IMAX screening on opening weekend, and after taking it all in, here’s why I believe this film is not just timely, but destined to become a classic.
Plot Overview: Revolution, Family, and America
Set in a version of modern-day America wracked by division and unrest, the film centers on a group called the French 75—revolutionaries offering sanctuary to immigrants living in makeshift camps. Leonardo DiCaprio stars as a former radical named Pat Calhoun/Bob Ferguson whose life is forever altered by love, fatherhood, and the impossible choices that come with both.
Alongside Calhoun, Perfidia Beverly Hills (Played with searing aplomb by Teyana Taylor) leads the movement with uncompromising determination. Their relationship, and the child born from their struggle, becomes the emotional anchor of the story. As time jumps forward sixteen years, we see Calhoun trade revolutionary zeal for single parenthood, distanced from his past and lost in his own haze.
Sean Penn’s “Lockjaw” serves as a foil—a menacing tool of the state, wooed by a secret society known as the Christmas Adventurers Club. This organization, veiled in satire, represents the real dangers of institutional power and hidden prejudice haunting American society.
Themes and Social Commentary
What elevates One Battle After Another is its exploration of cultural tension, identity, and the reality of systemic oppression. The movie doesn’t just comment on immigration or revolution—it holds a mirror to America’s ongoing culture wars. PT Anderson deftly satirizes elite power with the Christmas Adventurers Club, a fictional but all-too-familiar secret society. Their rituals (“Hail St. Nick!”) hint at a broader critique of exclusion and racism embedded deep within institutions.
Yet, despite the film’s satirical bite, Anderson resists romanticizing revolution. Every character is flawed, and the cycle of violence is never glorified. The protagonist’s internal struggle to protect his daughter while reconciling his ideals is especially poignant—showing how the cost of change is often personal.
Visuals and Direction
Shot in lush VistaVision and designed for the big screen, the film blends sweeping Western landscapes with moments of urban tension. Anderson uses large-format visuals not just for spectacle, but to amplify the characters’ isolation and the weight of history pressing in on them. The IMAX presentation immerses viewers, letting scenes of protest, violence, and quiet domestic worry linger.
Subtle nods to cinematic history abound, including a brilliant homage to The Battle of Algiers. These influences add depth, making the film a rich tapestry of references to past resistance movements—yet always focused on the present moment.
Performances and Lasting Impact
Leonardo DiCaprio delivers a career-best performance, capturing the nuance of a man torn between the ideals of his youth and the anxieties of raising a child in a fractured country. The supporting cast—especially Benicio del Toro—bring intensity and authenticity to a script balancing sharp dialogue with wrenching emotion.
But perhaps the film’s biggest accomplishment is longevity. Like Anderson’s Magnolia or Phantom Thread, this film is more than a product of its time. It’s a “message in a bottle”—a cultural snapshot that will matter long after the headlines fade.
Final Thoughts: Why You Should Watch
One Battle After Another is that rare film that combines satire, realism, and heart. It’s funny, tense, and deeply thought-provoking—all without ever feeling forced. Whether you’re a PT Anderson superfan or craving a relevant, resonant story, this is a must-see.
Don’t miss it on the biggest screen you can find. And when you’ve seen it, let’s talk: was it the best film of the year, or simply the most relevant?
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