The action thriller One Battle After Another has emerged as the leading contender for the upcoming BAFTA Awards, securing an impressive 14 nominations. Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, the film has garnered widespread acclaim, with critics describing it as a modern masterpiece. It also positions itself as a strong candidate for various Oscars.
Starring Leonardo DiCaprio as Bob Ferguson, a disillusioned former revolutionary, the film draws loose inspiration from Thomas Pynchon’s novel Vineland. Bob lives off-grid in California, navigating a chaotic journey to find his missing daughter, Willa, portrayed by Chase Infiniti. The narrative unfolds through flashbacks of Bob’s past involvement with a radical activist group, which conducts violent operations against migrant holding facilities along the Mexican border.
In these flashbacks, Bob’s partner, Perfidia Beverly Hills, played by Teyana Taylor, captures a white supremacist military leader, Col. Steven Lockjaw, portrayed by Sean Penn. This act of defiance ignites a relentless vendetta that haunts the characters for years. Fast forward 16 years, when Willa has become a martial arts student under the guidance of her sensei, played by Benicio Del Toro, who protects undocumented Mexicans from persecution. As Lockjaw resurfaces with a vendetta against Willa, Bob faces the daunting task of rescuing her, revealing the lasting consequences of their turbulent past.
While the film does not explicitly reference contemporary political movements or figures, its commentary on immigration and radicalism resonates strongly. DiCaprio has received a nomination for Best Actor, while Chase Infiniti is nominated for Best Actress, despite her omission from the Oscar nominations. Additionally, Teyana Taylor has been recognized for Best Supporting Actress, with Sean Penn and Benicio Del Toro up for Best Supporting Actor.
Beyond the acting categories, One Battle After Another is nominated for several prestigious awards, including Best Film, Adapted Screenplay, Cinematography, Editing, Original Score, Production Design, and Sound.
The BAFTA Awards ceremony is scheduled to take place on February 22, 2024, at the Royal Festival Hall, where the winners will be announced, adding further anticipation to an already celebrated film.
