Leonardo DiCaprio teams with Paul Thomas Anderson for a large-scale thriller that mixes chase-movie momentum with a personal father-daughter story. Here is the state of play as the film heads into opening weekend.
First critics’ reception
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Rotten Tomatoes: 97% Tomatometer from 70 critic reviews
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Metacritic: 96 Metascore based on 33 critic reviews
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IGN: 10 out of 10
It's been a while since the last time I saw such a consensus of (highly) positive reviews. The consensus highlights Anderson’s control of tone and pacing over a 2 hour 41 minute runtime, DiCaprio’s blend of paranoia and gallows humor, and a muscular supporting cast. A minority of reviews flag the density of ideas, but the overall tilt is strongly positive.
Plot: a fight that comes home
DiCaprio plays Bob Ferguson, a burned-out former revolutionary living off the grid with his teenage daughter, Willa. An old nemesis resurfaces, Willa disappears, and Bob is forced back into a world he tried to abandon. The story spans years and intersects with militias, surveillance, and a community under pressure. Supporting players include Sean Penn, Benicio del Toro, Regina Hall, and Teyana Taylor.
Release date and formats
Theatrical release is Friday, September 26, 2025, with a wide rollout. The film runs 2h 41m, is rated R, and is distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. Premium formats include IMAX.
One Battle After Another digital streaming
There is no announced streaming date or platform. Given the distributor, a later streaming window on Max is plausible, but nothing is confirmed. For now, it is theatrical only.
DiCaprio, in his words
On the film’s themes, DiCaprio has described it as reflecting today’s polarity and extremism, saying it “holds a mirror up to our society.” He has also urged audiences to see it in theaters.
