Is 'One Battle After Another' the Best Movie of the Year?

Wesley Morris and Sean Fenisy delve into Paul Thomas Anderson's latest film, "One Battle After Another," starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Teyana Taylor. They explore Anderson's unique filmmaking style, emphasizing his knack for blending character work with formal cinematic techniques. The film, set against a backdrop of political unrest, showcases DiCaprio as a washed-up revolutionary and Taylor as a dynamic force, challenging traditional roles and narratives. Morris and Fenisy discuss Anderson's evolution as a director, his focus on intimate storytelling, and the film's reflection on contemporary societal issues, highlighting its potential impact on both audiences and the film industry.

• Paul Thomas Anderson (PTA) is a renowned director known for his unique storytelling and cinematic style.
• His films often feature complex characters and intricate narratives that challenge both audiences and industry norms.
• Despite critical acclaim, PTA's movies historically have not been major box office successes.

"Paul Thomas Anderson's movies don't make money. That's just a fact. They mean the world to me, but they don't make any money."

• This quote highlights the contrast between the artistic value of PTA's films and their commercial performance.

• Studios are hesitant to produce PTA films due to their high production costs and limited financial returns.
• Executives often pass on his projects, fearing they might lose their jobs if the films fail to generate profit.

"Taking on a Paul Thomas Anderson movie in the past could get you fired. It doesn't matter how many Oscar nominations you get."

• The quote emphasizes the risk-averse nature of the film industry and the challenges faced by visionary directors like PTA.

• Personal preferences for PTA's films vary, with common favorites including "The Master," "There Will Be Blood," and "Inherent Vice."
• These films are noted for their exceptional storytelling, character development, and thematic depth.

"The Master, There Will Be Blood, Inherent Vice. Those are my. Those are my three."

• The quote reflects individual tastes and the subjective nature of film appreciation.

• "There Will Be Blood" is often regarded as a masterpiece, combining historical context with personal ambition and moral complexity.
• The film's opening minutes are particularly impactful, setting the tone for the story's exploration of power and greed.

"You sit down with There Will Be Blood and just those first five minutes that are just pure darkness."

• This quote captures the film's powerful opening and its ability to immediately engage viewers.

• PTA's films are known for their innovative storytelling techniques, such as long takes and unique use of music.
• His ability to blend formal cinematic elements with deep character exploration sets his work apart.

"You've got the camera moving and following Macy throughout the house. It's just single take."

• The quote illustrates PTA's skill in creating immersive and dynamic cinematic experiences.

• The New Year's Eve party scene in "Boogie Nights" exemplifies PTA's ability to convey complex emotions and narrative shifts.
• Music plays a crucial role in his films, often enhancing the emotional impact of key scenes.

"He blows his brains out on the last note of the song. And then the next thing that you see in the movie is 1980. We're in the bad time."

• This quote highlights the dramatic and symbolic transition depicted in "Boogie Nights."

• PTA's films are noted for their strategic and impactful use of music, which often complements the narrative and emotional tone.
• His selection of songs can be both unexpected and perfectly fitting, adding layers to the storytelling.

"PTA is very good at blending the obscurantist, unusual needle drop with the hammerhead. This is so obvious. It's perfect."

• The quote underscores PTA's mastery in integrating music into his films in a way that enhances the storytelling.

• PTA's films frequently explore themes of human experience, relationships, and the complexities of personal and societal change.
• His characters often grapple with inner conflicts and societal pressures, reflecting broader existential themes.

"He understands something about people, about broken people that I still find so exciting and so rare."

• This quote emphasizes PTA's insight into human nature and his ability to portray it authentically in his films.

• Discussion on the anticipation and expectations surrounding the release of Paul Thomas Anderson's latest film, particularly regarding its commercial and artistic stakes.
• Concerns about the film industry placing high financial hopes on Anderson's film due to its collaboration with a prominent actor, Leonardo DiCaprio.

"I was not looking forward to seeing this movie. I think it's a couple things. One, I might have masterpiece fatigue. He's made at least three, and I'm okay. I did not love licorice pizza."

• The speaker expresses a sense of fatigue from Anderson's previous works and skepticism about the new film's potential impact.

"An industry that didn't care about Paul Thomas Anderson as an industrial concern is now turning him into one and teaming him with this very still bankable movie star."

• The film industry is leveraging Anderson's artistic reputation by pairing him with a commercially successful actor to ensure the film's financial success.

• The personal and emotional connection audiences have with Anderson's films, viewing each new release as a significant cultural event.
• The risks associated with Anderson's new venture into a high-budget action film with a major star.

"Always trepidatious whenever someone that you love is taking a big risk. And he's a filmmaker I just have a very big emotional relationship with."

• The speaker conveys a deep emotional attachment to Anderson's work, making the stakes of the new film higher on a personal level.

"I just want this to work because it would be so great for everything that I believe in for this movie to work."

• The success of the film is seen as a validation of the speaker's belief in the artistic value of cinema.

• Filmmaking is highlighted as both an art form and a significant cultural enterprise, particularly in the American context.
• The unique combination of a skilled filmmaker and a popular actor is seen as a rare and significant cultural event.

"Filmmaking and movies are an art form and also the most interesting mass cultural enterprise that America's ever created."

• The speaker emphasizes the dual nature of filmmaking as both artistic and culturally influential.

"You take the person who's the best at making movies and you take the person who is the best at selling movies with his face and you smash them together."

• The collaboration between Anderson and DiCaprio is seen as a powerful convergence of art and commerce.

• The film's opening is described as intense and engaging, setting the tone for the narrative with a strong start.
• The setting and initial plot involving a migrant detention center and a vigilante group are introduced.

"The first half hour of this thing, in classic Paul Thomas Anderson form, he blasts out of the gate."

• Anderson's characteristic energetic and compelling opening is noted as a hallmark of his style.

"We're in the American West. We are, you know, somewhere at some point at the U.S. Mexico border, and, like, there's a lot of energy around, you know, this migrant detention center."

• The film's setting and initial conflict involving a migrant detention center are established, indicating a politically charged narrative.

• Teyana Taylor's performance is highlighted as a standout element, with her character commanding attention in the film's early stages.
• The significance of a strong, militant black woman leading a major film is discussed.

"For those first 30 minutes, Leonardo DiCaprio is kind of an afterthought. And the dominant presence is Teyana Taylor."

• Taylor's character is positioned as the central figure in the film's opening, overshadowing even DiCaprio.

"A militant black woman owning a movie from Warner Brothers in 2025 is. That's. That's a big deal."

• The cultural and historical significance of Taylor's role in the film is emphasized as a noteworthy development in cinema.

• The film's narrative draws on historical and political themes, particularly relating to radical politics and social justice.
• Anderson's awareness of film history and its influence on his work is noted.

"This movie kind of answers in some way is what would it look like for the radical politics of an era like that to find a narrative engine."

• The film explores how historical radical politics can be integrated into a compelling narrative.

"His favorite aesthetically, his favorite decade to draw from is the 1970s, a period during which that includes the blaxploitation era."

• Anderson's inspiration from the 1970s and its cinematic and political themes is highlighted.

• The film challenges expectations by presenting characters with nuanced motivations, avoiding clear-cut heroes.
• Teyana Taylor's character is portrayed with complexity, raising questions about her true motivations and allegiances.

"This is not what you might expect from a movie right now, which is that this is a person of pure leftist virtue."

• The film subverts expectations by depicting a character with complex, multifaceted motivations.

"I don't think this movie has any heroes really, at all."

• The absence of traditional heroes in the narrative is noted, reflecting a more realistic and morally ambiguous portrayal.

• Sean Penn is highlighted as a significant figure in movie acting culture, comparable to legends like Marlon Brando and Daniel Day-Lewis.
• Despite a decline in prominent roles, Paul Thomas Anderson wrote a substantial part for Penn, showcasing one of his best performances.
• The film presents a unique dynamic where Penn's character is more powerful than Leonardo DiCaprio's in a DiCaprio-led movie.

"I think it's easy to forget in the last 10 years or so what Sean Penn meant to movie acting culture and that he occupied a very rare status that included people like Marlon Brando and Daniel Day-Lewis."

• Sean Penn's influence and status in acting are emphasized, marking his role as significant in the film's narrative.

"Paul has always said that he's always wanted to write a big part for Penn and that this was their chance to finally come together and do something."

• Paul Thomas Anderson's intent to create a pivotal role for Sean Penn highlights the significance of his character in the film.

• The film's plot involves a time jump of 15 years, revealing significant changes in character roles and dynamics.
• Leonardo DiCaprio's character, Bob, transitions from an explosives expert to a regular life, raising his daughter in a sanctuary city.
• The narrative explores themes of government pursuit, family separation, and personal transformation.

"We wind up 15 years later... Leonardo DiCaprio is no longer the explosives expert. He looks like he's been blown up... raising this 15-year-old daughter of his."

• The time jump and transformation of DiCaprio's character are central to the film's evolving narrative.

"The government figures out where they are, comes to try to find them, takes Willa. Bob now has to spring into action to try to get her back."

• The plot centers around government pursuit and DiCaprio's character's quest to rescue his daughter, highlighting themes of urgency and personal stakes.

• The film juxtaposes radical politics with comedic elements, creating a unique narrative tone.
• DiCaprio's character must reconnect with his past radical tendencies, adding a comedic layer to his quest.
• The film balances humor with serious themes, trusting the audience to discern the gravity of the situations depicted.

"It's such beautiful comedy. This guy like this stoned couch-bound be-robed guy figuring out like what even the code for the meetup point is."

• The comedic portrayal of DiCaprio's character's struggle with his past adds levity to the film's serious themes.

"It's not afraid to laugh at the things that can be funny and knows enough and trusts us enough to know what is truly terrifying about our current circumstances."

• The film's ability to blend humor with serious themes highlights its nuanced approach to storytelling.

• Benicio Del Toro's character, the Sensei, plays a crucial role in aiding DiCaprio's character while running an underground migrant protection service.
• The film emphasizes the importance of community and personal relationships over direct action and violent conflict.
• The narrative explores themes of human decency, compassion, and the interconnectedness of personal and communal struggles.

"Sensei is trying to make Bob remember what's at the core of what the movement is supposed to represent just by being himself and just by being in his community."

• Sensei's character embodies the film's themes of community and compassion, guiding DiCaprio's character through his journey.

"These people are facing the same shit that I'm about to help you deal with. To me, you were just another migrant."

• The film highlights the shared struggles of the characters, emphasizing the importance of community and empathy.

• DiCaprio's character is depicted as nervous, comedic, and tragic, reflecting his personal and professional evolution.
• The film portrays his character as flawed and not the traditional hero, with heroic moments occurring accidentally.
• DiCaprio's performance is characterized by a blend of comedy and drama, mirroring his real-life career trajectory.

"He's in this mold right now... where the kind of nervous comedic drama... are all funny, but also sort of pathetic and tragic."

• DiCaprio's character reflects his current acting style, blending humor and drama in a unique performance.

"The heroic moments, again, are they just. They're accidents."

• The portrayal of DiCaprio's character as an accidental hero adds depth to his role, highlighting the film's unconventional narrative approach.

• Paul Thomas Anderson uses Leonardo DiCaprio as a movie star to draw audiences, but the film's focus is on other characters.
• The film explores the idea of secret societies running the world, with two opposing groups depicted: leftists with a code of ethics and the Christmas Adventurers.

"And I don't know, I think that there's something about the way Paul Thomas Anderson is using DiCaprio as a movie star, Right? He's the bait that gets switched."

• DiCaprio's star power is used to attract viewers, but the narrative shifts focus to other characters and themes.

"But what the movie reveals is that certainly what Thomas Pynchon thinks, and I think what we sometimes think and may actually be true, is that the world is organized, divided, and run by secret societies."

• The film suggests a world controlled by secret societies, reflecting broader societal and political themes.

• The Christmas Adventurers are depicted as a sinister secret society with a malevolent agenda.
• Sean Penn's character aspires to join this group, highlighting the allure and danger of such societies.

"You know, it is definitely a like, Knights of the Brotherhood of Hanging Black People and killing. Killing Latinos, Denouncing the American Indian Experience and, you know, who knows what else?"

• The Christmas Adventurers are portrayed as a violent, racist group with a dangerous influence.

"One of the leitmotifs of this movie is tunnels, right? Tunnels and caverns and backrooms."

• The use of tunnels symbolizes the secretive and hidden nature of these societies.

• Johnny Greenwood's score, featuring percussive piano work, enhances the film's sinister atmosphere.
• The music supports the film's themes of conspiracy and secrecy.

"And the musical accompaniment is mostly just percussive piano work. And it's Johnny Greenwood. Johnny Greenwood from Radiohead, who's done several of Paul Thomas Anderson's other excellent scores."

• Johnny Greenwood's music contributes to the film's mood, emphasizing tension and unease.

"These, like, isolated piano notes that are meant to just kind of drive, like a sense of conspiracy around us."

• The score's isolated piano notes reinforce the film's themes of secrecy and conspiracy.

• The film marks Anderson's return to a contemporary setting after 22 years, exploring modern themes.
• Anderson's choice to avoid modern technology like smartphones is notable, focusing on human connection.

"This is the first movie he's made that's set in the present in 22 years, 23 years. Punch Drunk Love is the last time he worked in a contemporary period."

• Anderson's return to a contemporary setting reflects a desire to engage with modern issues.

"Smartphones for most filmmakers, let's set aside maybe Park Chan Wook are tremendously uncinematic."

• Anderson avoids using smartphones to maintain the film's cinematic focus on human interaction.

• The film serves as a critique of society and a challenge to other filmmakers to address contemporary issues.
• It explores themes of power, societal systems, and the impact of art on reality.

"This movie is such an incrimination of so many other people who make things and claim to care about, you know, people, humanity, this country, whatever."

• The film criticizes those who fail to address societal issues in their art.

"This is a movie about this country and nobody's wearing a cape. Right. There are no heroes, the right thing is seldom done in it, and the wrong things are catastrophically cataclysmically. Wrong."

• The film presents a realistic portrayal of societal issues, avoiding simplistic hero narratives.

• The film is compared to Ari Aster's "Eddington," highlighting differences in approach and effectiveness.
• Anderson's film is noted for its focus on family dynamics and emotional resonance.

"I have paired this movie in my mind with Eddington quite a bit."

• The comparison emphasizes Anderson's unique approach to contemporary themes.

"But what it ultimately does not have that this movie has is that this movie is shot through the prism of a family dynamic."

• The film's focus on family relationships distinguishes it from other contemporary works.

• Anderson's career is characterized by three phases: early stylistic ambition, introspective exploration, and a focus on intimacy.
• The film represents a culmination of these phases, balancing style and substance.

"I feel like he has three phases as a filmmaker. One is this whirling dervish shot out of a canon kid who's watched every Scorsese movie and is like, I know I got all the moves and I'm putting all the moves on screen."

• Anderson's early career was marked by stylistic experimentation and ambition.

"The third phase is about intimacy. Phantom Thread, Licorice Pizza, Inherent Vice. These are movies about damaged relationships and damaged people."

• Anderson's recent work focuses on intimate, character-driven narratives.

• The film is anticipated to be a significant work in Anderson's career, potentially recognized by the Academy.
• It is seen as a departure from his previous work, with a focus on direct storytelling and human connection.

"Is it, as you asked, is it his crowning achievement? I think it's going to be interesting to watch how the world receives it."

• The film's reception will determine its place in Anderson's oeuvre.

"He doesn't need a bag of tricks here. Like, he doesn't need the surrealism. He doesn't need the magic realism. He doesn't need the mystique."

• Anderson's straightforward approach emphasizes the film's thematic depth and emotional impact.