One battle after another

Even though for me personally the best film of 2025 is still Sinners, One Battle After Another came just a hair below it. A masterpiece in every aspect.

I will start with the pacing, which I mentioned first for a reason. The film is two and a half hours long. The moment you hear the runtime, an “uh oh” pops into your head, because you know that most films of that length tend to drag or tire you at some point. That is not the case here. From the very first minute, the film grabs you by the face and takes you on a full-speed ride. Two and a half hours that flew by effortlessly, two and a half hours that do not let you relax for even half a minute. The screenplay unfolds at lightning speed, yet it is directed so intelligently that the viewer never loses track. Many characters, lots of information, but you miss nothing and you remember everything even after the film ends. That is how well crafted it is. Behind this flawless result in pacing, direction, and script stands the excellent Paul Thomas Anderson.

And since we mentioned direction, let’s say a few words about that as well. Stunning shots and very clever use of the camera. The director chose static setups in most scenes instead of constant movement following an actor. As a result, given the fast pace of the film, it does not tire the viewer and at the same time gives us shots that look ready to be framed. For me, the highlight was the chase through the hills. The exceptional close-ups on the asphalt, the steady shots aligned with the crest of the road, kept us on edge and sent the tension meter soaring.

As for the performances, overall everyone was excellent, even the supporting characters. This is mainly due to how well written they were, regardless of their total screen time. I will, however, focus selectively on two performances. To be clear, Benicio Del Toro is fantastic and Chase Infiniti was spot on, but Leonardo DiCaprio and Sean Penn stand above everyone else here, with Sean Penn deservedly claiming the top spot among the film’s performances.

Here, Leo reminded me very much of The Dude. I know that is heresy for some, but that is the vibe I got in several scenes, and it may even be the foundation of his character. In his own way though, without turning it into a caricature, he perfectly portrayed a man who has given up on everything, lives full of guilt, is high 24/7, yet will move heaven and earth for his daughter. No matter how big the risk is for him as the most wanted man, he calculates nothing and literally stops at nothing. A bit of awkwardness, a bit of burnt-out humor, and a dose of seriousness exactly where it is needed make up this character that Leo brought to life so convincingly.

And what can you say about Sean Penn? That he stole every scene he appeared in? That you hate yourself for loving him because of his performance, and love to hate him because of the character he plays? That he deserves the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor? The man absolutely went all in. He acted with his entire body. The walk, the tics, the speech, the tone, the expressions, the looks, the movement. A terrifying puzzle of a mentally disturbed neo-Nazi military man, brought to life flawlessly by Sean Penn.

As I slowly wrap up my review, I cannot omit the film’s music. A key element throughout its entire duration. Very carefully chosen melodies or songs placed at strategic moments. For example, when the action was relentless and the tension had to stay high, there was that continuous piano playing in the background. Its tone rose or fell depending on whether there was dialogue or something more intense happening in the scene. Then, in more neutral scenes, a song or a different kind of music would play to relax you after the previous rush, while the pace of the story continued at the speed of light. Here, I believe the score worked not only as a booster of tension, but also as a regulator of the rhythm, functioning in a way that disconnects the viewer’s eye from the brain for a few moments of calm before the next wave of suspense.

I saved the overall meaning of the film for last. The film places us in the present. Not just in the present, but in the now. It was released during a very strange and difficult period for the planet, when the far right is constantly gaining ground. Everything the film deals with, beyond its very central and seemingly simple plot, has a serious social foundation and reflects situations we experience daily. Maybe not directly for most of us, but certainly for many people in every corner of the planet, including our own country. The true villain of the film was not simply Lockjaw, and he was deliberately not defeated. He is the one pulling the strings, a Hydra-like force. Lockjaw was merely a tool, a means, just like his enforcer. The final message, however, is that no matter how often the real enemy returns, hope, rebellion, and the need for freedom will never cease to exist. More than ever, they are now necessary.

A solid 10 out of 10, and I predict it will definitely take home a little golden statue at the Oscars.