Released in theaters on September 24, 2025, One Battle After Another marks the return of Paul Thomas Anderson to a genre blending spectacle, political satire, and intimate memoir. Written and directed by the filmmaker, the movie features Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, Benicio Del Toro, Teyana Taylor, and Chase Infiniti. Following its theatrical run and initial VOD release in early 2026, the film will be broadcast on Canal+ on Friday, March 27, 2026, at 9:10 PM.
The story follows Bob, a former revolutionary turned paranoid recluse, living on the fringes of society with his daughter Willa. Years have gone by, but the burden of his political past still weighs heavily on his everyday life. When his sworn enemy reappears after sixteen years of absence and Willa mysteriously vanishes, Bob is forced to confront a past he longed to leave behind.
His search to find his daughter quickly turns into a tense chase filled with obstacles. Rebel groups, government institutions, and shady characters from his past struggle to cross paths in a story that blends relentless pursuit, dark humor, and family drama. The film reimagines a broken man’s wandering as a political parable that’s both visually striking and sharply satirical.
The film takes loose inspiration from Thomas Pynchon's novel Vineland, with Paul Thomas Anderson putting his own spin on it after previously exploring the author's universe with Inherent Vice. Rather than a faithful adaptation, the director turns the source material into a broad, offbeat action comedy. Leonardo DiCaprio describes the film as a “political fable with the energy of a cartoon,” highlighting the importance of exaggeration and slapstick elements in its overall tone.
With an estimated budget ranging from $110 million to $140 million, One Battle After Another stands out as the most ambitious project of the director’s career. Anderson opted to shoot in VistaVision 35mm, a rare format nowadays, to preserve an organic grain and highly detailed images ideal for large-format screenings. The seven-month shoot took place across California and Texas, emphasizing real locations and stunts mostly performed by the actors themselves.
The cast features some of the biggest names in American cinema, including three Oscar-winning actors: Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, and Benicio Del Toro. The film also marks the big screen debut of Chase Infiniti, who plays the daughter of the main character. Once again, the soundtrack is composed by Jonny Greenwood, a longtime collaborator of Paul Thomas Anderson since There Will Be Blood.
Upon its release, the film received widespread critical acclaim and secured a strong presence at awards ceremonies. It notably took home several BAFTAs, including Best Film, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay, as well as multiple Golden Globes, solidifying its position as a major milestone in the director’s career.
A Battle at Every Turn
Film | 2025
Release in theaters: September 24, 2025
TV Broadcast: Canal+ on March 27, 2026, at 9:10 PM
Action, comedy, drama | Duration: 2h42
Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson | Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, Benicio Del Toro, Teyana Taylor, Chase Infiniti
Original title: One Battle After Another
Country: United States
With Another Battle, Paul Thomas Anderson ventures into a larger-scale production while staying true to the recurring themes of his work: fragile family ties, ghosts from the past, and the journeys of men lost in a world they no longer recognize. The film weaves together political satire, an adventure story, and a father’s relentless quest to find his daughter.
Audience members drawn to this blend of auteur cinema and spectacle might also enjoy Inherent Vice, another adaptation of a Thomas Pynchon novel directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, or the Coen brothers' Burn After Reading. This satirical political comedy, with its slapstick tone, also plays on the absurdity of espionage plots and characters who are overwhelmed by the chaos around them.
For even more options, check out our curated selection of this week's must-watch TV shows, movies, and series, browse our guide to latest streaming releases across all platforms, and discover what’s trending today with our pick of what to stream right now.
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