One Battle After Another carries all the elements a good movie should have: action, comedy, phenomenal performances and nail-biting drama that keeps you on the edge of your seats. Paul Thomas Anderson‘s creation is a smartly written satire that is topical to today’s world. It ridicules the U.S. government and its constant repugnance toward people of different races and cultures. At its core, it’s themed around one of the most urgent issues of our time – hatred.

The title is well justified in the sense that it’s always a never-ending battle, where at times the government has the upper hand, and at other times, the oppressed rise. History has shown us men hating men for simply being different. That hatred hasn’t disappeared. There is lingering disgust that still hides beneath polished poker faces.

One Battle After Another doesn’t portray distant lands or other people’s struggles, it bluntly and fearlessly mirrors what’s happening here and now. It takes ongoing conflicts, battles fought over the years, and expands them into a sharp, layered story that mocks the hypocrisy of those in power. They keep trying to erase their own mistakes, their follies, and in doing so, they spark one battle after another.

The performances are extraordinary. The tension is palpable, gripping you to your seat and constantly reminding you how human all these characters are.

The Background Plot

This isn’t just one war. It’s a series of battles, cold, psychological and surgical where one way or the other the powerful keep tilting the game in their favour. However, only this time, the oppressed are catching up.

With that, the movie starts, with Leonardo DiCaprio in the lead as Bob, who is fighting for Black liberation as a bomber targeting government facilities, shaking the very foundations of the U.S. government.

He is in love with Perfidia (Teyana Taylor), who gets caught under the crossfire of Col. Lockjaw, one of the most badass villains in the history of entertainment, played by Sean Penn. The character he plays is something you will remember for ages. His performance is absolutely insane.

The movie kicks off with a quick prologue that feels slightly rushed there, but that only sets the stage for what follows. What comes after will blow your mind. In terms of storytelling, direction, writing, acting and cinematography, this film is a complete package.

Direction of Paul Thomas Anderson

Paul is definitely one of the greats when it comes to direction. So he proves again. He knows how to channel fear and nervous energy through his characters. Stunning wide-angle shots help keep everything in perspective, while the camera’s intimacy brings out raw emotion.

The storytelling is like walking with him on a tightrope. Nervous, agitated and constant fear is best helmed when you are picked up and dropped in his universe. Scenes where you don’t see the actual police squad, but you feel the tension owing to the things going on in the background, are beautifully depicted. He doesn’t delve too much into the uproar of the crowd, but he makes sure that you feel it from the perspective of his characters.

Leonardo Di Caprio’s Bob

Leo’s character Bob is a constantly agitated man who goes through hell fighting for the cause. His performance is so convincing, it’s hard to imagine anyone else in the role. His frustration over something as trivial as forgetting a password is delivered with such intensity it becomes oddly hilarious.

He is always on his toes throughout the movie. But then it should also be noted that when it came to his daughter, he was not afraid to take risks. He went straight ahead into the lion’s den while everyone was trying to run towards safety. He risked it all for his daughter.

There are very poignant lines dropped amid chaos like when Bob says:

I can’t do her hair, man. I don’t know how to do her hair right.

You can’t help but empathize with a father forced to take on a mother’s role.

Col. Steven J. Lockjaw by Sean Penn

Another standout worth mentioning is Col. Lockjaw, played exceptionally well by Sean Penn. The Colonel will give you the chills. He is ruthless when it comes to getting things done. He instils real fear, the one Bob is so afraid of, and the close call scenes are just enough to give any sane man a breakdown.

Sean Penn plays Lockjaw so brilliantly that it is hard to tell him apart from this character he plays. His whole demeanour speaks of relentless aggression. The way he walks, his steely glare, his posture, the way he carries himself like a man on a mission, is just absolutely scary to watch.

Other Characters in One Battle After Another Movie

There are exceptional performances by other actors as well. It’s crazy to watch how deep Sensei’s (Benicio Del Toro) connections go. The way he carries himself in a battle tells you how many times he has faced similar perils before, and how he is always prepared and no longer afraid of the police. His confidence as he walks through the problems with solutions in his hand is worth appreciating.

Chase Infiniti plays the role of Willa Ferguson, carrying subtle hints of bravery on her face. You could feel glimpses of disgust for Lockjaw in her eyes. You could feel the cold jabs hit via her taciturn behaviour. You can feel the brevity of her character by the way she carries herself. You can tell that she is on the verge of a breakdown, but bold enough to face everything like a strong person, exactly like her mother.

That brings me to the performance of Teyana Taylor’s Perfidia. She is simply magnificent as the tenacious rebel who is so consumed by her cause that she ends up overlooking her own daughter. Corruption seeps into her soul, turning her against her people one by one. However little her role was, you could tell why two men were absolutely crazy about her.

The Final Verdict

One Battle After Another is a film for now. It reflects the times we live in, brilliantly reflective of the current governance. The movie unspools the US Government’s hypocrisy at its best, showcasing how they always end up committing mistakes and then rectifying them to clear their names. In doing so, they are willing to kill as many people as they please.

The fact that these characters secretly admit to loving, nay, lusting for black people, and yet visibly and publicly rejecting them, goes on to show the very hypocrisy they carry. It’s like they are fighting their own selves. That’s why this battle will never end. That’s why the title fits the context so well.

They will always be afraid to admit it, but they will keep on making mistakes and blame it on others, and try to keep their sheet clean. It’s a never-ending cycle. The movie captures it all beautifully. The fate of Lockjaw reminds you how nothing is above the Government. In his mind, Lockjaw coveted a seat, this invisible, impalpable status and did everything he did for the service of the nation, and yet there are so many Lockjaws who have coveted glory.

One Battle After Another is a daring, gripping, and unflinching satire. It’s raw, timely, and masterfully crafted, a must-watch for anyone who believes cinema should provoke, not just entertain.