“One Battle After Another,” starring Leonardo DiCaprio, earned 13 nominations at the 2026 Academy Awards and holds a rating of 98% on Rotten Tomatoes. It has an adventurous, action-filled plot and a continuous theme present throughout the film.

Even from the start of the film, an intense, high-stakes energy is present. Viewers could see that The French 75, the rebel group fighting against an oppressive, dystopian government, had already been a long-running fight.

Bob is a former member of the French 75, and is surviving off the grid with his self-sufficient, fiery daughter Willa. After Willa goes missing, Bob must navigate finding her as he pays the price for his troubled past.

I enjoyed the depth this movie offered, as it was a real, raw representation of the impacts of social unrest in a society. The dystopian elements of the movie were also incorporated nicely, while not overpowering the storyline.

I also liked the versatility of “One Battle After Another.” Many scenes were action-packed and adrenaline-inducing, yet others were more sentimental and not as high-stakes.

DiCaprio’s acting was also an excellent addition to the film. His on-edge energy was present in every scene, which fit well with his character. He plays both a fighter and a father, with each side influencing the other in a sort-of chaotic harmony.

The constant “battle” of the film centers around Bob’s present and his past lives. It shows that while people move on and change, their past will always be a part of them in some way. A powerful message like this stands as one of the main takeaways I got from this film.

Another theme I found in “One Battle After Another” is that love will always triumph over hate. The strong bond between Willa and Bob held much of an influence on their journey, while their enemies suffered in their hateful ways.

While I enjoyed the adventure, a critique I have for this movie is its length. Parts of the movie felt dragged out and even a bit boring at times, however, I understood and appreciated the need for such thoroughness in seeing every plot point through.

All in all, I really enjoyed the energy and depth within this comedy-action movie. I felt its representation of a largely misunderstood minority (rebel groups) was powerful. I give “One Battle After Another” 4.8 out of 5 stars.