Anticipation is reaching a fever pitch for Paul Thomas Anderson’s latest film, One Battle After Another, as early reactions pour in from Los Angeles following its star-studded premiere. The buzz is not just from fans or critics—legendary filmmaker Steven Spielberg himself has gone on record, calling the movie "incredible" and "an insane movie, oh my God," during a Q&A at the Director’s Guild of America theater on September 9, 2025, according to The Film Stage and Variety. This is no small endorsement, especially coming from a director whose own contributions to cinema are the stuff of legend.
Spielberg, who revealed he had already seen the film three times, was effusive in his praise. "There is more action in the first hour of this than every other film you’ve ever directed put together. Everything, it is really incredible," he told Anderson, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter. The energy and chaos of the opening act, Spielberg noted, marks a dramatic shift from Anderson’s previous works, which include the likes of There Will Be Blood, Magnolia, and Licorice Pizza.
Loosely adapted from Thomas Pynchon’s cult novel Vineland, One Battle After Another stars Leonardo DiCaprio as Bob Ferguson, a washed-up ex-revolutionary whose past comes back to haunt him. When an old enemy (played by Sean Penn) resurfaces after 16 years, Ferguson is forced to reunite with his former comrades to save his teenage daughter, played by newcomer Chase Infiniti. The supporting cast is a who’s who of Hollywood talent, including Benicio del Toro, Regina Hall, Teyana Taylor, Alana Haim, Wood Harris, Shayna McHayle, Starletta DuPois, D.W. Moffett, and Paul Grimstad.
Spielberg’s admiration didn’t stop at the action. He drew a striking comparison between Anderson’s film and Stanley Kubrick’s iconic Dr. Strangelove, calling One Battle After Another “a kind of absurdist comedy, taken very seriously, because it’s so much a reflection of what’s happening today, every day, throughout this country.” He emphasized that the film’s bizarre, timely themes have only become more relevant since Anderson finished the screenplay and assembled his cast. "But it takes it to a point where you want to laugh, because if you don’t laugh, you’re going to start screaming, 'This is too real,'" Spielberg remarked, highlighting the film’s ability to provoke nervous laughter as a release from its unsettling social commentary.
Spielberg’s glowing review was echoed by several members of the film press who attended the Los Angeles premiere on September 8. Evan Romano of Men’s Health declared it his "#1 movie of the year," while film critic Brett Arnold tweeted, "I laughed out loud throughout, it’s probably Anderson’s funniest movie, and by the end I was so deeply moved I was crying. Sean Penn will win an incredibly well-deserved Oscar. And the action! My god. I haven’t stopped thinking about the car chase and what the camera does." Chris Evangelista of Slash Film called it "the modern American nightmare in VistaVision," describing it as "a darkly funny film loaded with thrilling car chases, deafening shootouts, and absurdism. Shocking but familiar images abound. One of the best of the year!"
Not all reactions were unreservedly positive. Grace Randolph, host of "Beyond The Trailer," admitted, "At first I hated it & thought it was ridiculous. But…the more I think about it, the more I think it might have something to say. Benicio Del Toro is having QUITE the year, might have to nominate him for Best Supporting Critics Choice." Meanwhile, Edward Douglas praised both DiCaprio and Penn for their performances, noting, "Penn gives a standout, absolutely staggering performance as the film’s main antagonist in 'One Battle After Another', allowing Leo to handle most of the comic lifting. This will get a lot of people talking for sure."
Kyle Buchanan, pop culture reporter for The New York Times, went so far as to suggest that the film could finally earn Anderson his first Best Director Oscar, writing, "Paul Thomas Anderson’s latest could be nominated across the board (Sean Penn & Teyana Taylor are standouts) and finally nab PTA the top Oscar."
The chemistry between Anderson and his cast, especially DiCaprio, was a subject of discussion during the post-screening panel. Spielberg, who directed DiCaprio in 2002’s Catch Me If You Can, joked with Anderson about the actor’s habit of reviewing his takes on set. Anderson replied, "Sometimes," and added that DiCaprio has a unique way of pitching ideas: "He will sell you on something by saying, 'This is a terrible idea, and you’re gonna hate it.' And then he proceeds to tell you a really fantastic idea. But he loves to set it up by saying, 'I think it’s a terrible idea.'" Spielberg laughed in agreement, adding, "He always does that… And it was amazing watching him in this, both of them. I have to say about Sean Penn: This is my favorite Sean Penn performance of his career for me."
For DiCaprio, working with Anderson was a long-awaited dream come true. The actor had previously been unable to join Anderson’s 1997 film Boogie Nights due to his commitment to Titanic, a decision he has since called his "biggest regret." Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, DiCaprio said, "Any time that he asks, you work with P.T.A., this guy is like one of the great visionary filmmakers of my generation. His films, I’m still intrigued by to this day; I still talk about The Master, Boogie Nights, There Will Be Blood, Magnolia — these films that are going to last for generations to come so you jump at an opportunity to work with Paul."
Though official critic reviews for the Warner Bros. production are still under embargo, the early consensus among those who have seen the nearly three-hour epic is clear: One Battle After Another is a bold, action-packed, and darkly comic reflection of contemporary America. Its mixture of absurdity and seriousness, combined with powerhouse performances from DiCaprio and Penn, is already positioning it as a frontrunner for awards season.
Audiences won’t have to wait much longer to judge for themselves. One Battle After Another opens in theaters nationwide on September 26, 2025. With buzz this strong and endorsements from some of the industry’s brightest lights, all eyes are on Anderson’s latest to see if it can live up to the hype—and perhaps, finally bring him Oscar gold.
