FILM REVIEW: ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER (15) ESP RATING: 5/5

Let me say it right off the bat – this is a perfect five-star movie!

I don’t throw out a score like that lightly, but the latest film from acclaimed director Paul Thomas Anderson is a rich movie feast.

I fear that some people may see a five-star rating and assume it means the film is flawless or universally appealing. That’s not the case here. The movie runs at nearly three hours, and it takes its time unfolding. Some viewers may find that daunting, even pretentious. But if you let it pull you in – it’s absolutely electric.

The story blends political thriller, dark comedy, and intimate family drama. The always impressive Leonardo DiCaprio plays Bob Ferguson, a former ‘radical’ trying to live quietly with his daughter, while Sean Penn devours the screen as Colonel Lockjaw – the spectre from Ferguson’s past who refuses to release him.

The supporting cast – Benicio Del Toro, Teyana Taylor, Chase Infiniti, Regina Hall, Alana Haim – are uniformly strong, but it’s undoubtedly Penn who dominates. His performance is layered, menacing, and oddly magnetic. Don’t be surprised if his name surfaces during awards season.

Anderson’s storytelling is patient, deliberate. Every scene feels purposeful, tightening the tension one turn at a time.

Normally with a runtime like this I’d think, they could’ve trimmed thirty minutes off, but here I never wanted to miss a beat. It’s a slow burn that never loosens its grip.

What keeps the heaviness from weighing you down is the humour. Just when the political themes threaten to tip into despair, Anderson drops in a sly, absurd joke that cuts through the tension. It’s a reminder of his ability to keep an audience engaged without pushing them away.

What makes One Battle After Another feel especially vital, though, is its timeliness. The film doesn’t exactly paint the government in the most flattering light – its paranoia, control, and hypocrisy are on full display.

At a moment when freedom of speech feels under constant pressure and dissenting voices are often silenced or marginalised, it’s refreshing, even exhilarating, to see a work this bold in the world. Anderson isn’t just telling a story; he’s holding up a mirror to the times, and the reflection isn’t comfortable. That’s precisely what makes it so powerful.

On top of that, Jonny Greenwood’s score thrums with unease, and visually the film is stunning – every frame composed with Anderson’s usual precision and flair.

Is it for everyone? No. If Boogie Nights or There Will Be Blood weren’t your thing, this won’t convert you. But if you admire Anderson’s knack for juggling intensity, eccentric characters, and daring themes, this is a veritable feast.

This isn’t just a movie, it’s an experience – and one I can’t stop thinking about.

ESP Rating: 5/5

Mike Clarke

Showcase Cinema De Lux Peterborough & Odeon Luxe Peterborough, Out Now

Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, Benicio Del Toro, Regina Hall, Teyana Taylor, Chase Infiniti, Alana Haim, Wood Harris & Tony Goldwyn

Running Time: 2 Hrs 42 Mins

Director: Paul Thomas Anderson

Film Review Venue: Showcase Cinema De Lux Peterborough

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