Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson.
The theatrical release date for One Battle After Another (2025) in the United States is September 26, 2025.
Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures.
Movie Review
One Battle After Another (2025) is a bold and intense movie directed by Paul Thomas Anderson.
The film mixes political drama, family struggles, and thrilling action in one big story.
Leonardo DiCaprio gives a powerful performance as a former radical who is pulled back into danger when his daughter goes missing.
Young star Chase Infiniti shines with a strong and emotional role, while Sean Penn delivers a chilling performance as the main villain.
The movie looks stunning with its detailed cinematography and a haunting soundtrack that adds to the tension.
However, it is quite long at nearly two hours and forty minutes, and sometimes the story feels crowded with too many characters and subplots.
Even with these flaws, the film has big emotional moments, sharp political themes, and unforgettable scenes.
It’s best enjoyed on the big screen, dramatic, daring, and worth the watch.
Ratings
• IMDb: 8.4/10
• Rotten Tomatoes: 96%
• Google Audience Score: 82% liked this movie.
One Battle After Another Actors
Leonardo DiCaprio as “Ghetto” Pat Calhoun / Bob Ferguson
DOB: November 11, 1974.
Bio: Leonardo DiCaprio is one of Hollywood’s most acclaimed actors, known for his transformative performances across genres.
He began in television as a child before achieving breakout fame in Romeo + Juliet (1996) and Titanic (1997).
Over the decades, he has built a career defined by immersive character work, often through collaborations with Martin Scorsese, Quentin Tarantino, and other visionary directors.
Role: Pat Calhoun, living under the alias Bob Ferguson, a former revolutionary whose violent past resurfaces when enemies threaten his family.
Torn between survival, redemption, and fatherhood, Pat must confront the ghosts of his past while protecting his daughter.
His dual identity and inner conflict drive much of the film’s tension.
What to Expect: A layered, emotionally raw performance that balances paranoia, explosive intensity, and unexpected tenderness.
Interesting facts: DiCaprio is a frequent collaborator with high-profile directors and is known for doing deep prep work; press around this film noted his involvement in stunt and action sequences.
Notable Works: Titanic, The Revenant, The Wolf of Wall Street, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
Sean Penn as Col. Steven J. Lockjaw
DOB: August 17, 1960.
Bio: Two-time Academy Award-winning actor and filmmaker known for intense, immersive performances.
He gained critical acclaim for roles in Mystic River (2003) and Milk (2008), and is recognized for tackling morally complex characters.
Role: Col. Steven J. Lockjaw, a corrupt and driven military officer who serves as the film’s primary antagonist.
Ruthless and politically powerful, Lockjaw is personally obsessed with locating and eliminating the protagonist’s family.
What to Expect: A commanding, chilling performance combining menace, wounded pride, and strategic ruthlessness.
Interesting facts: Penn’s real-world activism has often informed his film choices; here he plays a villain who embodies political violence and institutional abuse.
Notable Works: Mystic River, Milk, I Am Sam.
Benicio del Toro as Sergio St. Carlos (Sensei)
DOB: February 19, 1967.
Bio: Puerto Rican-born, Academy Award-winning actor known for intense, unpredictable, and deeply human performances.
He brings a weathered, lived-in charisma to dramatic and action-driven roles, often balancing toughness with moral complexity.
Role: Sergio St. Carlos, a karate teacher and community leader who guides and shelters immigrants, as well as the film’s central family.
His presence provides moral weight and a calm, resolute center amid the film’s escalating violence.
What to Expect: Quiet authority, physicality and a character who moves between tenderness and steely resolve.
Interesting facts: A performance marked by quiet authority, physical precision, and emotional depth.
Notable Works: Traffic (Oscar-winning), Sicario, The Usual Suspects, 21 Grams.
Regina Hall as Deandra
DOB: December 12, 1970.
Bio: American actress whose career spans comedy and drama.
She gained recognition in the Scary Movie series and has earned critical praise for dramatic roles such as Support the Girls.
Hall is known for her timing, empathy, and versatility across genres.
Role: Deandra is a committed member of the revolutionary group and serves as a steady, brave presence in the film.
She acts as both organizer and protector, grounding the story with courage and moral clarity.
What to Expect: Strong emotional grounding and scenes that balance fury with compassion.
Interesting facts: Hall has said she looks for roles that uplift working-class people and women with agency.
Notable Works: Scary Movie series, Support the Girls, The Hate U Give.
Teyana Taylor as Perfidia Beverly Hills
DOB: December 10, 1990.
Bio: American performer known for her work as a singer, dancer, choreographer, and actor.
She has gained acclaim for projects that span music, stage, and screen, and has increasingly taken on dramatic acting roles that showcase her versatility.
Role: Perfidia Beverly Hills is a fiery revolutionary and mother whose choices profoundly shape her daughter’s fate and the film’s central conflicts.
Taylor brings intensity, physicality, and charisma to the character.
What to Expect: Bold physical performance, fierce emotional beats, and a character who lives loudly and fiercely.
Interesting facts: Taylor’s background as a choreographer and dancer informed the film’s movement and fight sequences involving her character.
Notable Works: A Thousand and One, music career, choreography credits.
Chase Infiniti as Willa Ferguson / Charlene Calhoun
DOB: May 5, 2000.
Bio: Chase Infiniti (full name Chase Infiniti Payne) is an emerging American actor who has gained attention for her performance in this film.
She trained in stage, dance, and martial arts, combining physical skill with expressive acting.
Role: Willa Ferguson, also known as Charlene Calhoun, is the daughter caught at the center of her father’s desperate struggle.
The character balances vulnerability with resourcefulness, and Infiniti’s performance has been widely recognized as a breakout role.
What to Expect: Fearless, physically demanding work from a new talent, vulnerability and grit in equal measure.
Interesting facts: Infiniti trained in MMA and karate for the role and has a performing arts degree from Columbia College Chicago.
Notable Works: One Battle After Another (breakout), Presumed Innocent (TV).
Wood Harris as Laredo
DOB: October 17, 1969.
Bio: Wood Harris is an American actor celebrated for intense, authoritative performances in film and television.
He is best known for The Wire and brings grounded gravitas to ensemble and action-driven stories.
Role: Laredo is a frontline member of the revolutionary group, a seasoned and loyal figure who guides the protagonists through danger while maintaining discipline and focus.
What to Expect: Steady, intense support work and credibility in action sequences.
Interesting facts: Harris frequently chooses roles that explore urban stories, community dynamics, and leadership under pressure.
Notable Works: The Wire, Paid in Full, Remember the Titans.
Alana Haim as Mae West
DOB: December 15, 1991.
Bio: American musician and actor, best known as the lead vocalist and guitarist of the band HAIM.
She has expanded into acting with naturalistic performances that showcase her charisma and presence.
Role: Mae West is a member of the French 75 group, contributing to the ensemble’s dynamics and helping drive the film’s revolutionary narrative threads.
What to Expect: A relaxed, authentic presence that grounds the group’s interpersonal moments.
Interesting facts: Alana is the lead vocalist/guitarist in the sibling band HAIM and this film continues her crossover into acting.
Notable Works: HAIM (music), acting appearances in contemporary films.
Paul Grimstad as Howard Sommerville / “Billy Goat” / “Gringo Coyote”
DOB: N/A.
Bio: Paul Grimstad is a multifaceted artist, composer, writer, academic and occasional actor.
Known in literary and music circles, he’s a surprising but welcome presence in PTA’s ensemble.
Role: Howard Sommerville is a member of the French 75 group whose capture triggers key events in the story.
The character also appears in multiple guises, adding a layered, almost folktale quality to the film.
What to Expect: An eccentric, distinctive turn that adds texture and odd edges to the ensemble.
Interesting facts: Grimstad is a Yale humanities academic and avant-pop musician; his multi-disciplinary career informs his screen persona.
Notable Works: The Sweet East, musical releases, essays, and other small film roles.
Shayna McHayle ‘as’ Junglepussy
DOB: October 31, 1991.
Bio: Also known by her stage name Junglepussy, Shayna McHayle is an American artist and performer who works across music, spoken word, and screen projects.
She is known for bringing raw energy and bold personality to her roles.
Role: Junglepussy is a member of the French 75 group, a fierce, colorful presence in the revolutionary crew and a voice of blunt reality during chaotic moments.
What to Expect: Bold, unapologetic scenes and an actor comfortable with both grit and humor.
Interesting facts: She began as an underground hip-hop artist and has a strong DIY ethos that carries over into her screen work.
Notable Works: Music career as Junglepussy, various film credits.
Dijon (Dijon Duenas) as Talleyrand
DOB: June 9, 1992.
Bio: Known professionally as Dijon, Duenas is an American musician, singer, and producer who has increasingly appeared in film projects.
He brings a distinctive artistic sensibility and presence to every role.
Role: Talleyrand is a French 75 associate whose on-screen presence enriches the group’s cultural and musical texture.
Dijon’s performance adds an offbeat, creative element to the ensemble.
What to Expect: Brief but affecting moments that lean on the actor’s musicality and expressive face.
Interesting facts: Dijon’s music has drawn praise and he often collaborates with indie and mainstream artists.
Notable Works: Solo albums, collaborations and this film credit.
Tony Goldwyn as Virgil Throckmorton
DOB: May 20, 1960.
Bio: Veteran American actor and director Tony Goldwyn has a long career across stage, television, and film, including notable roles in Ghost and Scandal.
He often portrays authoritative or morally complex figures and brings refined craft to every part.
Role: Virgil Throckmorton is a member of the secretive Christmas Adventurers Club, serving as an establishment figure whose presence reflects the movie’s themes of power, privilege, and institutional secrecy.
What to Expect: Polished, quietly manipulative turn that helps spell out the film’s social critique.
Interesting facts: Goldwyn is also a director (TV and film) and is active on issues such as criminal justice reform.
Notable Works: Ghost, Scandal (President Fitzgerald Grant), directing credits.
More Actors
• John Hoogenakker as Tim Smith.
• Starletta DuPois as Grandma Minnie.
• Eric Schweig as Avanti.
• D. W. Moffett as Bill Desmond.
• Kevin Tighe as Roy More.
• Brooklyn Trueheart Demme as Sober Rick.
• Dan Chariton as Comrade Josh.
• April Grace as Sister Rochelle.
• Jon Beavers as 1776 James.
• Jena Malone as voice of the greeting code.
FAQ – One Battle After Another (2025) Movie
What is One Battle After Another about?
One Battle After Another (2025) follows former radical Bob Ferguson, who is forced out of hiding when his daughter is targeted by a ruthless colonel, pushing him to confront his violent past and fight for redemption.
What is the runtime?
The movie runs about 170 minutes (roughly 2 hours 50 minutes).
Is the film based on a book?
It is inspired by Thomas Pynchon’s novel Vineland but is a reworking rather than a direct translation.
Where was One Battle After Another filmed?
One Battle After Another was filmed across California and Texas, with key locations in Humboldt County, Sacramento, the Anza-Borrego Desert, San Diego, and El Paso to capture both urban and desert landscapes.
What genre is One Battle After Another?
It’s a mix of political thriller, family drama, and action with satirical and social commentary elements.
Conclusion
One Battle After Another (2025) is a gripping mix of politics, family drama, and suspense.
With powerful performances from Leonardo DiCaprio, Chase Infiniti, and Sean Penn, the film delivers both emotional weight and thrilling intensity.
While its length and crowded subplots may test patience, its strong direction, visuals, and storytelling make it a must-watch for those who enjoy thought-provoking drama with action at its core.