I recently reviewed the 4K release of Paul Thomas Anderson’s 1997 classic Boogie Nights, which remains my favorite film from the director. While there are still a few titles in his filmography I have yet to see, I’ve experienced most of his work. Anderson’s latest feature, One Battle After Another, arriving on 4K UHD this week, now ranks as my second favorite—and, in my opinion, may very well be the best film of 2025.
Inspired by Thomas Pynchon’s novel Vineland, One Battle After Another represents a project Anderson had hoped to adapt for more than two decades. Rather than a straight translation, he weaves in his own ideas, resulting in a screenplay that feels both personal and ambitious. The film boasts an exceptional ensemble cast, including Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, Benicio del Toro, Chase Infiniti, Regina Hall, and Teyana Taylor.
“Ghetto” Pat Calhoon (DiCaprio) and Perfidia Beverly Hills (Taylor) are anything but a conventional couple. Members of a far-left revolutionary group known as the French 75, their days are spent orchestrating radical actions, such as breaking detained immigrants out of detention centers. During one such breakout, Perfidia sexually humiliates commanding officer Steven J. Lockjaw (Penn)—an act that unexpectedly awakens an obsession within him. When Lockjaw eventually apprehends her, he releases her in exchange for a clandestine sexual encounter.
Soon after, Pat and Perfidia discover they are expecting a child. However, Perfidia’s reckless lifestyle raises serious concerns for Pat, and those fears intensify after the birth of their daughter, Charlene. Struggling with postpartum depression, Perfidia abandons both Pat and her newborn to continue the revolution. During a bank robbery, she murders a guard and is arrested. Still fixated on her, Lockjaw intervenes, offering her a version of witness protection rather than prison in exchange for betraying the remaining members of the French 75. She agrees. As a result, Pat and Charlene are forced into hiding under stolen identities—Bob and Willa Ferguson—while Perfidia eventually escapes witness protection herself.
Sixteen years later, Bob and Willa (Chase Infiniti) are living in the sanctuary city of Baktan Cross, California. As teenage Willa attempts to lead a normal life with school and friends, her father has descended into paranoia and perpetual intoxication, setting the stage for the film’s increasingly unpredictable second half.
One Battle After Another becomes more unhinged as it progresses, yet despite its 162-minute runtime, Anderson rarely allows the film to feel sluggish. The characters are compelling, and the film is frequently hilarious, thanks to both sharp writing and outstanding performances. DiCaprio delivers one of his strongest performances to date, but Sean Penn is the undeniable standout, giving one of the most memorable turns of his career. Benicio del Toro also makes a strong impression in a smaller yet crucial role. Newcomer Chase Infiniti is especially impressive in her feature film debut, and it’s hard not to feel that this is just the beginning of a promising career.
The film also features one of the most inventive and exhilarating car chase sequences I’ve ever seen, further elevated by the exceptional cinematography from Michael Bauman. One Battle After Another is a bold, wildly entertaining achievement—an ambitious, darkly comic, and emotionally resonant film that should appeal to a wide range of movie lovers.
Note that the 4K disk does not include any bonus features.
