‘One Battle After Another’ Teaser: Leonardo DiCaprio and Paul Thomas Anderson Bring Guns, Grit, and Generational Conflict in First Footage

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Mar 20

Warner Bros. Unveils First Look at Paul Thomas Anderson’s Most Ambitious Film Yet

Warner Bros. Pictures has unveiled the first teaser for One Battle After Another, the highly anticipated new film from writer-director Paul Thomas Anderson. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Regina Hall, Teyana Taylor, and Sean Penn, the film marks Anderson’s return to the big screen following his critically acclaimed 2021 feature Licorice Pizza. Set for theatrical release on September 26, One Battle After Another is already shaping up to be one of the most intriguing and ambitious projects of Anderson’s career.

A Teaser That Leaves a Mark

The brief yet evocative teaser doesn’t give much away in terms of plot but paints a striking visual of generational cycles and violent legacies. It opens with a field bristling with gunfire—Teyana Taylor’s character, visibly pregnant, calmly fires off a rifle as Leonardo DiCaprio’s character watches, drink in hand. The next scene shows a baby’s birth, punctuated by a narrator asking ominously, “What are you gonna do about this baby?” The teaser then flashes forward to that very child, now grown, wielding a rifle just like her mother.

“Just when you think you got a handle on things,” a voice muses. In rapid succession, an older DiCaprio peers through a rifle scope while Sean Penn’s character drags the screaming young woman down a dimly lit alleyway. The tension is palpable, promising a film rife with power struggles, shifting allegiances, and Anderson’s signature deep character work.

Anderson’s Most Expensive Film to Date?

Even before the teaser’s debut, speculation swirled about One Battle After Another being Anderson’s most ambitious—and most expensive—project yet. Early reports suggested the film’s budget could exceed $100 million, with more recent figures estimating it as high as $140 million. That would make it Anderson’s costliest film to date, an eyebrow-raising leap considering Licorice Pizza—his previous film—struggled to recoup its $40 million budget despite widespread critical acclaim.

Despite the financial risk, Warner Bros. has backed Anderson’s vision, likely drawn by the film’s powerhouse ensemble cast and the director’s proven ability to craft complex, deeply resonant narratives.

A Star-Studded Ensemble and Longtime Collaborators

The cast of One Battle After Another is stacked with both fresh faces and familiar collaborators. Licorice Pizza breakout star Alana Haim reunites with Anderson alongside a stellar lineup that includes Benicio del Toro, Wood Harris, Shayna McHayle, and Chase Infiniti. The film also serves as Anderson’s latest collaboration with composer Johnny Greenwood, marking their sixth feature film partnership.

Behind the camera, Anderson has assembled a team of longtime creative partners. The film was shot on 35mm film using VistaVision cameras, a classic cinematic format known for its wide, immersive visuals. Principal photography began under the working title BC Project in January 2024 in California, a frequent setting for Anderson’s films. Additional location shoots took place in El Paso, Texas, lending the project an expansive, rugged backdrop fitting for its themes.

Tragically, One Battle After Another will be the fifth and final collaboration between Anderson and his first assistant director, Adam Somner, who passed away in November 2024. Somner’s influence on Anderson’s productions was significant, making his absence keenly felt in the film industry.

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What’s Next?

With the teaser now out, anticipation is building for the full trailer, set to debut next week. Anderson has remained tight-lipped about the full scope of the film’s narrative, but the early footage suggests a tense, multi-generational saga infused with his signature visual flair and storytelling depth.

As One Battle After Another gears up for its September 26 release, the stakes are high for Anderson, DiCaprio, and Warner Bros. Whether it becomes a box office success or another critically lauded but commercially tricky endeavor, one thing is certain—Paul Thomas Anderson is once again pushing the boundaries of cinematic storytelling.