DiCaprio says Paul Thomas Anderson’s dystopian satire exposes rising polarity and extremism — political, but deeply human.
Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another is blasting into awards-season conversation — and Leonardo DiCaprio says the film does more than thrill: it reflects the sharp divisions of today’s world.
DiCaprio, who plays a paranoid ex-revolutionary living off the grid, told the BBC the movie “holds a mirror up to society,” touching on the polarity and rising extremism in contemporary culture. He praised Anderson’s willingness to push boundaries, calling the director’s approach on this film especially daring.
But DiCaprio is quick to note the movie isn’t a lecture; instead, it threads political ideas through character-driven storytelling so it feels urgent without feeling preachy.
Set in a dystopian U.S. that resembles a fascist police state — where immigrants are detained and a ragtag group of guerrillas fights back — the film blends black comedy, satire and big-screen action.
It’s a tonal tightrope that pays off because the movie prioritizes humanity: DiCaprio says Anderson “finds the humanity in all the central characters,” making even deeply flawed figures sympathetic and relatable.
That emotional texture is what keeps the film from becoming mere polemic; viewers are invited to connect with the people on screen rather than simply adopt a position.
The ensemble cast is stacked: Sean Penn, Benicio del Toro, Regina Hall, Teyana Taylor and rising talent Chase Infiniti round out a lineup that adds grit and emotional weight.
Critics and audiences have responded with enthusiasm, and chatter about Oscar potential is already loud — a natural follow-up to Anderson’s prior awards success with films like Licorice Pizza and Phantom Thread.
DiCaprio’s collaboration with Anderson marks a notable first for both men: the star gets to dive into a complex, edgy role under the guidance of a filmmaker known for exacting, ambitious work.
The result, DiCaprio suggests, is a movie that’s political by nature but personal in practice — a film that uses satire and spectacle to expose how fractured our society can be while still rooting for its characters’ frailties and fights.
If you’re into movies that spark conversation as much as they entertain, One Battle After Another sounds built to do both — and to leave viewers thinking long after the credits roll. Share your take: did the film hit that mark for you?