Kermode & Mayo’s Take Is ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER film of the year? With Paul Thomas Anderson
Sep 25, 2025
This week’s guest is Paul Thomas Anderson, an acclaimed film director and screenwriter known for his innovative storytelling. He shares insights about his new film, One Battle After Another, detailing his two-decade writing journey and its political relevance. Anderson delves into casting anecdotes, including his near-miss with Leonardo DiCaprio for Boogie Nights, and discusses the thrill of filming his first major car chase. His collaboration with composer Johnny Greenwood also features, highlighting the film's unique musical approach.
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Episode notes
Emma Thompson Anchors Dead Of Winter
- Mark Kermode praised Emma Thompson in Dead of Winter as believable, resilient, and the film's driving force.
- He highlighted Judy Greer and the Finnish production values as strong supporting elements.
Long Germination, Lasting Spirit
- Paul Thomas Anderson wrote One Battle After Another over decades, keeping the spirit though much changed.
- The film preserves core themes like pursuit, desert, and revolution even as details evolved.
Past Political Themes Still Resonate
- The film's politics feel timely because human patterns repeat despite changing eras.
- PTA and Simon note that revolutionaries collapsing and past actions haunting the present still resonate today.
