Paul Thomas Anderson’s latest film, One Battle After Another, recently dropped a trailer, giving audiences a better glimpse of this Leonardo DiCaprio-led comical action thriller. The film marks a significant milestone for Anderson, who has never worked with DiCaprio before and has never ventured into full-blown action/thriller territory. With a budget exceeding $100 million, this is the first time Anderson has directed a film of such scale. Despite these notable firsts, One Battle After Another also represents Anderson's second adaptation of a Thomas Pynchon novel, this time adapting Vineland. Previously, he directed Inherent Vice in 2014, which was based on another Pynchon work.
While Inherent Vice holds a solid 74% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, it has often been viewed as one of Anderson’s lesser works. The stoner comedy/noir film, while unique, did not garner the same level of acclaim as his other projects. However, One Battle After Another seems poised to reignite interest in Inherent Vice, as it appears to continue the broader narrative established in that film.
To understand the connection between these two films, one must delve into the storylines. Inherent Vice is told from the perspective of Doc Sportello (played by Joaquin Phoenix), a drug-addled private investigator navigating the complexities of a California noir conspiracy during the height of the hippie movement. The film paints a vivid picture of 1960s California, capturing the essence of the era through the eyes of an author who experienced it firsthand. It explores the impact of the hippie culture on various societal groups and ties the decline of this movement to significant historical events, such as the Manson murders.
On the other hand, Vineland follows Zoyd Wheeler, an ex-rebel who fought for a radicalized group of hippies during the 1960s. Set in Northern California, the narrative oscillates between present-day 1984 and the 60s, as Wheeler reflects on his past and the war he ultimately lost against Nixon-era 'fascism' that arose during the war on drugs. Through these two stories, Pynchon examines the rise and fall of the hippie movement and its aftermath, framing it as a tragic saga.
Interestingly, while Inherent Vice presents the audience with a sense of helplessness in witnessing the counterculture’s failure to instigate change, Vineland offers a more uplifting message. Anderson's decision to change the order of their release allows for a retelling of the story that highlights growth and maturity rather than regression.
In One Battle After Another, Zoyd Wheeler, portrayed by DiCaprio, embarks on a quest to reunite with his daughter while searching for her missing mother, who allegedly betrayed her group of revolutionaries and ran off with a narcotics agent. The trailer suggests that Wheeler has lost his grip on life and family, mirroring the struggle depicted in Vineland. As the narrative intercuts flashbacks from the 60s, Wheeler grapples with his past and ultimately prioritizes his family over the burdens of history.
Although Inherent Vice was published almost twenty years after Vineland, it serves as a prequel, detailing events that set the stage for Wheeler's journey. Readers familiar with the chronology may notice a sense of impending doom, akin to the prequels of the Star Wars saga. However, by releasing these stories in chronological order, Anderson provides a more hopeful narrative that emphasizes the importance of personal growth.
Anderson's affinity for capturing California’s cultural shifts is evident throughout his filmography, from Punch-Drunk Love and Boogie Nights to Inherent Vice and Licorice Pizza. He has a knack for portraying different eras and the cultural linchpins that define them. Inherent Vice represents a crucial turning point in California’s history, and while it may not have resonated with audiences as strongly as some of Anderson’s other films, its meandering narrative and slow pacing contribute to its authenticity as a recreation of 60s California.
As One Battle After Another prepares for its theatrical release on September 26, 2025, fans are eager to see how it will differ from the original novel. While Inherent Vice remained relatively faithful to Pynchon’s work, Anderson's focus on Sportello’s relationships provided a more engaging core. This approach is likely to influence One Battle After Another, which will similarly emphasize personal connections with the hippie movement rather than the movement itself.
In conclusion, One Battle After Another not only promises to be an exciting addition to Paul Thomas Anderson's filmography but also serves as a bridge connecting the narratives of Inherent Vice and Vineland. By exploring themes of family, loss, and the complexities of cultural movements, Anderson is poised to deliver a film that resonates with audiences and reignites interest in the stories that shaped modern America.
