One Battle After Another

I had zero interest in this film after its trailer. After all, I either love Paul Thomas Anderson movies (Phantom Thread, There Will Be Blood, Boogie Nights) or hate them (Inherent Vice, The Master). In fact, Inherent Vice holds the dubious honor of being one of only four films I’ve ever walked out of. Critics at festivals were swooning, but at two hours and fifty minutes, it seemed destined to be filed under my most common dig of the decade: “self-indulgent marathon films from untouchable directors that should have been two hours flat.”

However, his tenth film, One Battle After Another, is one of the best sustained pieces of filmmaking — ever. It felt like one hour and is clearly one of the best films of 2025.

It kicks off with the kind of velocity most action films save for their finale, then never lets up. Without spoiling specifics, it centers on revolutionaries from the last decade, though it feels as if the script were finished last night. At full volume, it’s about defying fascism and racism, but in quiet moments, it's a tender father-daughter story. Somehow it is both a thunderous thriller and intimate drama, switching gears with comic precision. The balance of action, thriller, drama and comedy is a masterwork.

Often cited "greatest actor of our generation," Leonardo DiCaprio to me, has too often been outsized by the film roles from The Aviator and Departed to J.Edgar and Killers of the Flower Moon, but this film and comic role fits him better, much like his turn in The Wolf of Wall Street. Here, DiCaprio gives a carefully modulated turn, often channelling The Big Lebowsi in his backrobe as Bob Ferguson. 

Our other "greatest actor," Sean Penn completely disappears into Col. Lockjaw, the clearest bad guy of the film, creating one of his all-time best roles. Teyana Tarylo, Benicio del Toro and Regina Hall are all expectedly great too.

What makes the film astonishing is that it never panders. It’s bleak, sardonic, tough-minded, yet alive with jolting humanity. It isn’t about good guys or easy redemption, it’s about survival and defiance, and somehow that makes it all the more hopeful.

In a nutshell: the action jolts, the comedy lands and the suspense feels utterly original. This is a Molotov cocktail hurled into the 2025 film season.

Where to see it: Theatrical release, in 70mm, IMAX 70mm, IMAX Digital and VistaVision. IMAX was worth every cent.

Would it be better with Olivia Colman? We’re talking about one of the decade’s best films, but yes, naturally.

Award potential: Expect Oscar nominations in all categories.

The Ten Buck Review: Worth ten bucks.

Fall's Future Best Picture Nominees - mark your calendar

Goodbye, super summer blockbusters. The fall movies are coming. Festival buzz is heating up and while some early Oscar contenders (Frankenstein, The Bride, The History of Sound and Julia Robert's instantly controversial After the Hunt) have already fizzled out, a new crop of top-tier films has emerged. These are the ones to circle in your calendar and get your popcorn and excitment ready for.

TOP 3 LOCKS

Hamnet

In a nutshell: Adapted from Maggie O'Farrell's acclaimed novel, this drama centers on Agnes (Jessie Buckley) grieving a family tragedy that inspires her husband William Shakespeare (Paul Mescal) to write Hamlet. Directed by Oscar-winner Chloé Zhao.

Why it's a lock: It's Zhao’s first drama since Nomadland, and it slayed at Telluride. Focus Features might finally have its Best Picture winner.

In theaters: Limited release November 27, 2025, national expansion December 12, 2025.



Sentimental Value

In a nutshell: An actress reunites with her estranged, acclaimed director father, who wants her to star in his autobiographical film.

Why it's a lock: Reuniting The Worst Person in the World dream team of Trier and Reinsve. Oh, and it was the Cannes runner-up for the Palme d’Or. Sentimental? Early word has it as sensational.

In theaters: Limited release November 7, 2025.



Sinners

In a nutshell: A complex, ambitious film that blends vampires, blues music and historical themes. Michael B. Jordan excels in a dual role.

Why it's a lock: Don’t let the vampires fool you, this one has real teeth. One of the only Oscar-quality films to already hit theaters and people are still talking about it.

In theaters: Now streaming online.


TOP 3 CONTENDERS

House of Dynamite

In a nutshell: A U.S. missile is accidentally launched at Chicago, and a high-stakes team led by Idris Elba and Rebecca Ferguson races to prevent catastrophe.

Why it's a lock: It's directed by Kathryn Bigelow (Hurt Locker), in another James Cameron Avatar year, and it recently blew up the Venice Film Festial.

In theaters: Limited September release and on Netflix October 10, 2025.



Marty Supreme

In a nutshell: Timothée Chalamet is a young ping pong player in the 1950s on a quest for greatness. The ensemble cast including Gwyneth Paltrow, Fran Drescher and Tyler, The Creator.

Why it's a lock: Directed by Josh Safdie (Uncut Gems) and backed by A24, this late-year entry is the weird, wild awards contender that will likely sneak in at the end.

In theaters: Christmas Day.


Jay Kelly

In a nutshell: George Clooney plays a fading actor on a reflective European road trip with his longtime manager, grappling with fame, failure, and legacy.

Why it's a lock: Directed by Noah Baumbach (Marriage Story), with Adam Sandler poised for another serious-actor moment. Netflix is pushing this hard despite some so-so reviews — expect it to go the distance.

In theaters: November 14, 2025.



THE 3 POPULAR, COLON ONES

Avatar: Fire & Ash:  The upcoming third film in the James Cameron Avatar series (each prior film was nominated for Best Picture) will release on December 19, 2025.

Wicked: For Good: The follow-up and conclusion to last year's Best Picture nominee releases November 21, 2025.

Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere: The film about Springsteen's personal work on the Nebraska album, and not his life story, had a boss world premiere at the Telluride Film Festival, securing likely nominations for both Jeremy actors (Jeremy Allen White and Jeremy Strong) and a shot at Best Picture. Releases October 24, 2025.



THE WILD CARDS

It Was Just An Accident: Directed by Jafar Panahi, this co-production between Iran, France, and Luxembourg explores political repression in Iran. It has garnered global acclaim and was awarded the Palme d'Or at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. Releases October 15, 2025.

No Other Choice: A 2025 South Korean dark comedy thriller film co-written, produced and directed by Park Chan-wook, in theaters now.

Begonia: The next satirical absurdist science fiction dark comedy film directed by Yorgos Lanthimos (Poor Things, The Favorite) with Jesse Plemmons and Emma Stone, opens appropriately on October 31, 2026.

One Battle After Another: Paul Thomas Anderson directs Leonardo DiCaprio as a former revolutionary hunting for his missing daughter. Ehh. Releases September 25, 2025.

Train Dreams: Netflix's contender with actor Joel Edgerton as a logger and railroad worker in the rapidly changing American West in theaters November 7, 2025, followed by a global Netflix release on November 21, 2025.

Testament of Ann Lee: Early indications from the Venice Film Festival suggest a divisive film like The Brutalist. It stars Amanda Seyfried as Ann Lee, the founding leader of the Shakers religious sect in the 18th century. Release date is still TBD.

Is This Thing On? Bradley Coopers' film about British comedian John Bishop is the closing film of the New York Film Festival on October 10, 2025, and it releases on December 19, 2025.

Rental Family: A comedy-drama, starring Brendan Fraser, is set in Tokyo and follows an American actor who finds purpose working for a Japanese "rental family" agency. In theaters starting November 21, 2025.

Weapons: One of two summer horror breakouts. Stylish, chilling and smarter than your average scream fest. It's in theaters now.