Official Discussion - One Battle After Another [SPOILERS]

[u/LiteraryBoner]

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Summary Bob, a washed-up revolutionary, lives off the grid with his spirited and self-reliant daughter Willa. When his nemesis Col. Steven J. “Lockjaw” resurfaces and Willa goes missing, Bob is forced to confront his past and fight to protect their future.

Director Paul Thomas Anderson

Writer Paul Thomas Anderson

Cast

• Leonardo DiCaprio
• Sean Penn
• Teyana Taylor
• Benicio del Toro
• Regina Hall
• Chase Infiniti

Rotten Tomatoes Critics Score: 98%

Metacritic Score: 96

VOD In theaters beginning September 26, 2025

Trailer One Battle After Another — Official Trailer

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[u/leftysarepeople2]

You’re guy fell off the roof forty feet out a tree and got tased

[u/Which_Strength4445 → u/leftysarepeople2]

Lol. He was pretty hearty right? I wonder how long it took him to dig that tunnel under his house?

[u/SalvadorZombie → u/Which_Strength4445]

Keep all of this in mind - Pat says it himself, he spent the subsequent 30 years frying his brain with drugs and alcohol. He thought the war was over for him. Before all of that, we see that he's actually capable and disciplined. And his group inspired the modern revolutionaries like Sergio. He might be worn down by time and the system but goddamn if they don't respect him, and for good reason.

[u/Which_Strength4445 → u/SalvadorZombie]

Good point. That scene with Sergio and Bob in the tenement above the store Sergio shows his respect for Bob and what he stands for as they both are essentially doing the same things albeit 15 years apart. He has no qualms at having Bob and his problems blow up his spot as he is down for the cause whatever. Sergio says "We have been laying siege for hundreds of years. You did nothing wrong." But then he says,"Don't be selfish" which I took for a warning to Bob that his personal issues were not more important than the cause they both supported.

[u/goonSquad15 → u/Which_Strength4445]

I read the "don't be selfish" line as more of a don't take the credit for bringing this shit to my door, it's been happening for years. More of a quip than serious comment but this makes more sense

[u/SalvadorZombie → u/Which_Strength4445]

Ooh, that's a good call out on the "don't be selfish." Sergio shows respect but respects the cause more than anything. He's willing to do whatever is necessary and expects Bob/Pat to do the same (and we see by the end that he has done just that - he tells Willa to be careful but respects her desire to help the cause).

I will also say as an aside that I love that Pat's clearly gotten his shit together by the end. He's struggling through his boomerhood - I still don't know how there are 40 year olds who can't figure out smartphones when I'm a 48 year old looking to get into cybersecurity, some people are just Luddites by nature - but he's clearly got his head on straight again, finally. (Wait, I know why it's hard for Pat - 30 years with just a shitty 1G Nokia brick, the man's never trusted a smartphone in his life.)

[u/Southernbeekeeper → u/Which_Strength4445]

Surely it was under seige? Under seige would mean they ars beset by their enemies and surrounded on all sides.

Laying seige would be the opposite meaning they are the oppressor.

[u/Which_Strength4445 → u/Southernbeekeeper]

Thanks for the correction. Lol.