Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another marks director’s 'tenth' feature film

Paul Thomas Anderson has returned with his tenth film One Battle After Another, a tense political thriller that mixes his trademark ensemble storytelling with themes of confrontation and distress.

On the surface, the movie plays like a gritty action drama in which Leonardo DiCaprio takes on the role of Bob Ferguson, a former revolutionary whose peaceful life is shattered when his teenage daughter, Willa (Chase Infiniti) is kidnapped.

This forces Bob to face his old enemy Col. Steven J. Lockjaw, a ruthless far-right portrayed by Sean Penn.

The story unfolds against the backdrop of the activist group “French 75”, led by the sizzling and bold Perfidia Beverly Hills (Teyana Taylor).

In flashbacks, their daring protests and violent actions focus both the passion and the failures of past revolutions.

Sixteen years later, Bob is shown as a broken man, living in fear and regret over his past choices.

The film expands further with the introduction of Sergio (Benicio del Toro), a karate instructor who secretly runs a migrant rescue network. Through him, Anderson explores themes of corruption, power, and systemic racism.

Taylor’s portrayal of Perfidia adds a raw edge to the film, balancing vulnerability with strength, even if her role sometimes borders on over-sexualization.

She still manages to capture the spirit of a woman fighting for liberation on her own terms.

With trailing storylines and chaotic turns, One Battle After Another showcases Anderson’s skill of turning real-world issues into gripping and thought-provoking cinema.