Philippine theaters will ignite with the electrifying chaos of One Battle After Another, a thrilling, laugh-filled action epic from BAFTA-winning filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, Benicio Del Toro, Regina Hall, and Teyana Taylor. Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, this long-gestating project—20 years in the making—blends high-octane adventure with heartfelt family drama, earning raves for its “action-packed, laugh-out-loud” energy, as producer Sara Murphy told Variety. The second trailer (https://youtu.be/-Q_8SHbon64?si=PZLd-mQ4CcwO0pSX), released September 3, 2025, showcases DiCaprio as Bob, a washed-up revolutionary turned paranoid recluse, racing to save his spirited daughter Willa (Chase Infiniti) after his old nemesis (Penn) resurfaces. With a world premiere at the Venice Film Festival on August 31, 2025, and an 85% Rotten Tomatoes score, the film promises Filipino audiences in Manila, Quezon City, and beyond a cinematic rollercoaster during the festive “-ber months,” joining a vibrant September lineup alongside Caught Stealing and Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc. As Steven Spielberg, who moderated a Q&A with Anderson at the Director’s Guild of America in Los Angeles on September 8, enthused, “I had a great time laughing all the way,” signaling a crowd-pleaser that’s both wildly entertaining and deeply moving.
Anderson, the visionary behind Boogie Nights, There Will Be Blood, and Licorice Pizza, began crafting One Battle After Another two decades ago, with the script evolving through “different shapes,” as producer Sara Murphy shared with The Hollywood Reporter. Written, directed, and produced by Anderson under his Ghoulardi Film Company, the film follows Bob, a former radical living off-grid in a haze of stoned paranoia, alongside his fiercely independent teenage daughter, Willa. When Bob’s evil nemesis, played with menacing glee by Sean Penn, reemerges after 16 years, Willa vanishes, thrusting Bob into a frantic mission to find her. The stakes are personal, as both father and daughter grapple with the fallout of his revolutionary past, navigating a vivid world of “heightened factions, villains, foes, and friends,” per Murphy. The ensemble shines, with Benicio Del Toro as a shady ally, Regina Hall as a cunning operative, and Teyana Taylor as a fierce wildcard, each adding depth to Anderson’s intricate world-building, described by IndieWire as “a kaleidoscope of chaos and heart.”
The film’s humor, a hallmark of Anderson’s style, flows from sincerity rather than forced gags. “The things I think are funny are peculiar, and humor comes out of dedication to something real,” Anderson told Collider during the DGA Q&A. “If actors try too hard to be funny, it falls flat. But a silly idea? Go for the cheap laugh—it’s nice.” This approach yields a film that doesn’t take itself too seriously, balancing slapstick moments—like a botched heist in the trailer where DiCaprio’s Bob fumbles a weapon—with poignant father-daughter moments. Spielberg praised its “relentless energy,” while The Wrap noted, “Anderson finds comedy in the absurd, making every action beat feel alive.” On set, the collaboration with actors allowed for spontaneous humor, with DiCaprio and Infiniti’s chemistry grounding the story’s emotional core. Murphy highlighted a scene where Bob and Willa share a quiet moment amidst the chaos, saying, “It’s the heart of the film—a truly emotional journey of reconnection.”
DiCaprio, fresh off The Revenant and Killers of the Flower Moon, brings a wiry intensity to Bob, a character far removed from his usual polished roles. “Leo embraced Bob’s unraveling paranoia with a raw edge,” Anderson shared with Screen Daily, noting his commitment to the role’s physicality, from frantic chases to stoner hazes. Infiniti, a newcomer discovered through open auditions, holds her own as Willa, described by Variety as “a revelation, blending defiance with vulnerability.” Penn, reteaming with Anderson after Licorice Pizza, delivers a chilling yet darkly funny nemesis, while Del Toro and Hall add layers of intrigue, and Taylor’s kinetic energy steals scenes. Shot in Los Angeles and rural California, the film’s vibrant production design by Jack Fisk and cinematography by Michael Bauman (Phantom Thread) create a gritty yet fantastical world, with a score by Jonny Greenwood amplifying the tension and humor.
Reactions have been overwhelmingly positive, with early screenings sparking buzz on X, where fans like @CinemaFanaticPH call it “a wild ride with heart” and praise DiCaprio’s “unhinged, hilarious” performance. The film’s 116-minute runtime and R rating for violence and language align with Anderson’s bold vision, offering a “fun, action-packed thriller from start to finish,” as Murphy told Deadline. Its world-building introduces rival factions—a militia, a tech cult, and rogue mercenaries—each adding to the chaotic stakes, per The Playlist. With a $70 million budget and a projected $30 million U.S. opening weekend, per Box Office Pro, the film is poised to dominate Philippine theaters like SM Center Muntinlupa and Gateway Cineplex, where action-comedies resonate with urban audiences, as noted by Rappler. The IMAX release enhances its visceral appeal, from car chases to showdowns, making it a must-see for cinephiles.
One Battle After Another marks Anderson’s return to large-scale storytelling, following the intimate Licorice Pizza. His ability to blend humor, action, and emotion echoes Inherent Vice, but with a broader, more accessible appeal, as Vulture notes: “It’s Anderson unleashed, with DiCaprio and Penn trading barbs like a screwball comedy in a warzone.” The film’s themes of redemption and family resonate universally, making it a perfect fit for the Philippines’ post-Christmas season, where audiences crave escapist yet heartfelt stories. As part of Warner Bros.’ 2025 slate, alongside Mickey 17 and The Batman Part II, it’s a flagship release, with #OneBattleAfterAnother trending on X. Opening in theaters and IMAX nationwide on September 24, 2025, One Battle After Another invites Filipino viewers to join Bob and Willa’s wild, hilarious, and moving journey—a cinematic battle that’s as bold as it is beautiful.
The Pop Blog general news and updates, mostly from press releases and conferences.