One Battle After Another

Bob is a former revolutionary who lives off the grid, drifting through a haze of paranoia and self-medication while raising his fiercely independent daughter, Willa. When the ghost from his violent past, a ruthless nemesis, reappears after a long absence, Willa disappears and Bob scrambles to piece together what happened. The film follows his increasingly desperate attempts to protect his child and atone for choices that long shadow their lives, while allies and enemies surface around them. Tension builds through evasive alliances, sudden bursts of violence, and the uneasy bond that keeps father and daughter connected.

Released in 2025, One Battle After Another was directed by Paul Thomas Anderson and credits Thomas Pynchon as creator. The cast includes Leonardo DiCaprio as Bob, Sean Penn as Col. Steven J. Lockjaw, Chase Infiniti as Willa, Benicio del Toro as Sensei Sergio St. Carlos, and Regina Hall as Deandra, giving the film a distinctive ensemble feel.

Critics and audiences reacted to its dark tone and moral murkiness, and it holds a vote average of 7.449/10 (2326 votes). Reviewers often singled out DiCaprio and Penn for intense, unpredictable performances, and many noted Anderson's patient, textured approach to tension. The film foregrounds themes of guilt, loyalty, and the long shadow of past militancy, offering a raw look at how one man’s history continues to shape the life of his daughter and their fragile domestic order.

The movie's blend of crime thriller pacing and Pynchonesque paranoia prompted lively discussions online about its political sensibilities and aesthetic choices. Certain scenes, like late-night stakeouts and claustrophobic confrontations, have become reference points among fans who appreciate atmospheric thrillers. It also rekindled conversation about how cinema treats radical politics and family bonds, and it inspired essays and social media threads weighing redemption against responsibility.