Eccentric and current comedy film

Paul Thomas Anderson’s cinema always surprises, whether due to its thematic density or the way it manages to laugh at its own contradictions. In One Battle After Another, his new feature film, the director transforms heavy themes such as immigration, social segregation, freedom and even secret societies into the backdrop for a plot that is, above all, an action comedy full of eccentricities.

An out of shape revolutionary

The plot follows Pat (Leonardo DiCaprio), a former revolutionary who, alongside his partner Perfidia (Teyana Taylor), fought against the system in the early 2000s. A traumatic event, however, forces them to abandon the fight. He then lives undercover for the next 16 years, trying to adapt to ordinary life.

This calm ends when his daughter Willa (Chase Infiniti) is pursued by a former colonel (Sean Penn), who resumes the hunt against Pat. Forced to return to active duty, he needs to recover memories and strategies that he no longer masters, after being away from action for so long, and due to the excess drugs he uses. And the result of this is a succession of absurd and hilarious situations that give the film its unique identity.

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Eccentricity as a driving force behind the narrative

Despite the seriousness of the themes surrounding the story, Anderson manages everything through exaggeration and humor. The film finds humor in Pat’s paranoia, his desperate measures to protect his daughter, and the contrast between the real threat and his failing memory.

It is in this space that equally eccentric characters emerge, such as Sergio St. Carlos (Benício del Toro), an unlikely mentor who offers balance and help. And, to complete the bizarre scenario, Colonel Lockjaw proves to be an out-of-touch villain, at the same time that another unusual group appears in the chase: the Christmas Adventurers, an uncomfortable and comical parody of neo-Nazi organizations.

An unlikely but captivating duo

The emotional center of the film is the relationship between Pat and Willa. DiCaprio delivers an energetic performance that balances paranoia and tenderness, while Chase Infiniti stands out as the daughter who matures in the face of chaos.

Even though they are far from each other for much of the film, their paths cross symbolically: there is a reversal of roles, mutual learning and a “passing of the baton” that makes the journey deeper than it appears.

Long but agile

At almost three hours long, One Battle After Another does not drag at any point. Anderson’s agile editing and confident direction maintain the narrative’s energy, alternating action, tension and humor fluidly. Each scene brings a new eccentricity, keeping the viewer engaged from start to finish.

Heading to the awards

Combining sophisticated aesthetics, outstanding performances and originality, the film has all the elements to shine in the awards season. Anderson manages to balance social criticism and absurd comedy without losing the charm of auteur cinema.

Where to watch?

If you enjoy this type of plot, or the director’s filmography, there is still an extra reason to see it in the cinema: the filming in VistaVision, which expands the visual experience and makes viewing on the big screen even more impactful.

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