One Battle After Another is shaping up as Paul Thomas Anderson’s most ambitious, big-budget gamble—blending his distinctive character-driven style with blockbuster action, top-tier talent, and film-lovers’ formats like VistaVision and IMAX. If you enjoy PTA’s emotional depth (e.g., There Will Be Blood) but crave high-stakes thrills, this is one to watch.
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A black-comedy action thriller: A team of ex-revolutionaries reunites when Bob’s daughter is kidnapped by a resurfaced enemy after 16 years.
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Loosely inspired by Thomas Pynchon’s novel Vineland (1990), shifted to a contemporary setting with political and social overtones.
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Themes include generational conflict, government distrust, activism, and personal stakes—captured through brutal, stylish sequences and dark humor.
🌟 Overview & Release Info
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Writer/Director: Paul Thomas Anderson
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Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio (Bob Ferguson), Sean Penn (Col. Steven Lockjaw), Benicio del Toro, Regina Hall, Teyana Taylor, Chase Infiniti, Alana Haim, Wood Harris, Shayna McHayle 5
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Music: Jonny Greenwood (PTA’s regular collaborator)
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Budget: ~$140 million, Anderson’s most expensive film
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Runtime: ~2 h 50 m
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Release Date: September 26, 2025 (USA), with IMAX, Select 70mm & VistaVision screenings
