Know Your Enemy One Podcast After Another (w/ Jesse Brenneman)
26 snips
Dec 8, 2025 
Join Jesse Brenneman, a producer and movie correspondent, as he dives into Paul Thomas Anderson's thought-provoking film, One Battle After Another. The conversation reveals the film's critique of contemporary U.S. politics, showcasing a mix of left and right dynamics. Explore themes of family, identity, and the haunting presence of Ronald Reagan. Discover how the narrative intertwines revolutionary politics with personal connections, and laugh at the humor embedded in its serious undertones. It's a wild ride through the film’s rich, political landscape!
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Villains Are Both Ridiculous And Frightening
- Right-wing villains blend grotesque seriousness with comic absurdity, from Lockjaw to the Christmas Adventurers.
- That tonal mix makes them both ridiculous and terrifying, heightening the film's menace.
Solidarity Lives In Everyday Community
- The film treats leftist politics as messy but rooted in real communal solidarity, not pure militancy.
- Daily acts of neighborly care and protection form the genuine infrastructure of resistance in the story.
Practical Calm Beats Performative Militancy
- Benicio del Toro's character embodies the film's ideal: calm, organized solidarity over performative radicalism.
- He represents practical care and strategic protection rather than ego-driven militancy.
