Leonardo DiCaprio leads the star-studded cast of One Battle After Another, the Warner Bros. political thriller that has emerged as one of the biggest winners of the 2026 awards season. Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, the film claimed Best Picture at the 2026 Critics’ Choice Awards and went on to score major victories at the Golden Globe Awards, including Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, along with trophies for Director and Screenplay. It also earned multiple BAFTA wins, including Best Film and Best Director, solidifying its status as a critical favorite.
The film has also been recognized at the 2026 Academy Awards, earning several Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director for Anderson and Best Actor for DiCaprio.
An adaptation of Thomas Pynchon’s novel Vineland, the film presents a tense, satirical vision of America in political upheaval, following DiCaprio’s washed-up former revolutionary as he races to rescue his daughter from an authoritarian regime. After the Critics Choice win, Anderson called the honor “fantastic news,” praising his cast and longtime collaborators for bringing the ambitious project to life.
Below, Hollywood Life has all the details you need to know about One Battle After Another.
What Is One Battle After Another About?
The premise for the film reads, “Bob is a washed-up revolutionary who lives in a state of stoned paranoia, surviving off-grid with his spirited and self-reliant daughter, Willa. When his evil nemesis resurfaces and Willa goes missing, the former radical scrambles to find her as both father and daughter battle the consequences of their pasts.”
The movie follows members of the far-left revolutionary group French 75, who fight back against a fascist future America, where an authoritarian police force targets immigrants and dissenters. Despite the bleak dystopian backdrop, One Battle After Another slips in enough wit to draw laughs from its audience.
One Battle After Another Cast
In addition to Leonardo, who plays the role of Bob Ferguson / “Ghetto” Pat Calhoun, the rest of the One Battle After Another cast features Sean Penn as Col. Steven J. Lockjaw, Chase Infiniti as Willa Ferguson / Charlene Calhoun, Teyana Taylor as Perfidia Beverly Hills, Benicio del Toro as Sergio St. Carlos, Regina Hall as Deandra, Jena Malone as the voice greeting, Tony Goldwyn as Virgil Throckmorton, Alana Haim as Mae West and more.
When Does One Battle After Another Come Out?
The film is already out! As of September 26, 2025, One Battle After Another is available to watch in U.S. theaters.
When Will One Battle After Another Be Available to Stream?
One Battle After Another has already made its streaming debut. It began streaming exclusively on Max (formerly HBO Max) on December 19, 2025, following its theatrical release in September 2025.
In addition to Max, the film is also available to rent or purchase digitally on platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, Fandango at Home and others
