Movie Review: One Battle After Another (2025)

Let me just say, One Battle After Another completely caught me off guard, in the best way. Written and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, it’s one of those rare films that blends wild, high-stakes action with real emotional weight. From the opening scene, I was locked in.

First off, the casting? Perfect. I had no idea how much I needed to see Teyana Taylor and Leonardo DiCaprio on screen together until now. Taylor absolutely owns the first half of the movie. She brings so much depth, rawness, and intensity; it’s honestly one of her best performances yet. Then the second half? Chase Infiniti steps in and steals the show with a raw, heartfelt performance that anchors the whole story.

Leonardo DiCaprio plays a burned-out ex-revolutionary turned stoner dad, and somehow he makes it both hilarious and incredibly moving. He’s not trying to be the hero; he’s just trying to save his daughter, and that vulnerability really works. And Sean Penn? I had to double-check it was even him. He disappears into his role in the most unsettling way.

Visually, the film is stunning. There’s a car chase later through the film that had me leaning forward in my seat. It’s slick, tense, and unlike anything I’ve seen in recent years. The score is just as memorable, elevating every moment without ever overpowering it.

In short, One Battle After Another isn’t just good, it’s one of those films that stays with you. Funny, emotional, chaotic in the best way. Easily a 10/10.