The 2025 film “One Battle After Another” is loosely based on the 1990 novel “Vineland” by Thomas Pynchon. The film blends action and political themes to explore generational conflict and oppression, drawing parallels to contemporary issues through a narrative about counterculture revolutionaries.
Similarly to “Vineland,” Anderson’s film depicts an America that is brutally similar to modern-day America, littered with facilities detaining immigrants, a militaristic police force, racial injustice and constant political violence. The story follows Bob Ferguson, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, on his journey to shield his daughter, Willa, from the consequences of his life as a revolutionary, including the story’s antagonist, Colonel Steven Lockjaw, played by Sean Penn. Willa’s mother, Perfidia, is played by Teyana Taylor, a singer-songwriter turned actress who had seen few major roles before this movie. Throughout the movie, Bob has to navigate through a world that is in constant opposition to him and everything he believes in just to survive.
The level of talent in the film truly brought “One Battle After Another” home, as it featured some of the best performances of the year thus far. DiCaprio’s Bob was terrific; he portrayed him passionately and richly. Every moment with Bob on the screen was tense and scattered, delivering scenes with emotional dialogue and physical unease. Penn’s Col. Lockjaw was a terrifying and eccentric villain who left every scene marked with a touch of fear and discomfort. Benicio del Toro’s Sensei St. Carlo was a cool-headed and intelligent comedic side-character with del Toro performing the character in a way that consistently evoked laughter while still moving the story forward.
The themes of the film resonate strongly with the lost and oppressed, discussing topics such as generational trauma, the meaning of revolution and the motivation for political violence. It thoroughly explores what it means to survive. Bob and Willa are constantly forced to overcome trials and take drastic measures just to continue to live. This strikes deep into the hearts of anyone who has faced injustice, being forced to do whatever they can to keep living despite a government that works against their interests. This film does not argue for violent revolution. Rather, it asserts that the human condition is a never-ending battle to live and that those who are oppressed may have no choice but to turn to violence.
Many of the critical responses and reactions to the film add further perspective to the film itself. Some hail it as deeply introspective and revolutionary while others describe it as a glorification of political violence.
The modern discourse about political violence has given the movie even more power as a piece of art that criticizes the current political state. One of the very first scenes in the movie takes place in an immigrant detention facility. This coincides with some current events, like ‘Alligator Alcatraz,’ a Florida immigrant detention center, which has been criticized for its treatment of immigrants.
The film shows a deep, raw look at opposite sides of the political spectrum. It shows the upsides and downsides of affiliating with any political party.
In the movie’s trailer, it seems like just an action film with a mediocre plot. But at its core, “One Battle After Another” is a beautiful film about familial issues, generational trauma, the struggles of revolution and the current political state in America. “One Battle After Another” couldn’t have come out at a more relevant time.
