Bret Easton Ellis claims that "One Battle After Another" already seems "very outdated."

      Numerous critics believe that Paul Thomas Anderson’s film One Battle After Another effectively encapsulates the current cultural climate, but author Bret Easton Ellis holds a different perspective regarding its relevance: he argues that the film already seems “very dated” and doubts its longevity.

      Released on September 26, the movie features Leonardo DiCaprio as Bob, a disillusioned former revolutionary who comes out of hiding when the malevolent Col. Steven J. Lockjaw (Sean Penn) threatens Bob and his teenage daughter, Willa (Chase Infiniti).

      Critics across the political spectrum interpret it as a denunciation of Trumpism and a tribute to the spirit of leftist revolution.

      The film has received nearly universal acclaim. The New York Times critic Manohla Dargis, for instance, mentioned that while she is “still sifting through its ideas and images,” she regards One Battle After Another as “a heartfelt cry that also serves as a defining image of resistance. It’s a timeless work, exhilarating and quintessentially American.”

      She also pointed out that the film critiques not only the tyrannical figures that Bob and Willa oppose but also the liberals themselves. She referenced a scene where an ineffective Bob gets high and watches the classic film The Battle of Algiers, showcasing Algerian fighters striving for freedom from France.

      One voice of dissent about the film’s quality is Armond White, who considers it potentially hazardous: in a piece for the conservative National Review, he stated that the film “romanticizes political assassination” and labeled it “the year’s most irresponsible movie.” His critique was prominently featured on the influential Drudge Report on Tuesday and early Wednesday.

      Leonardo DiCaprio and Benicio del Toro in One Battle After Another. Warner Bros. – Credit: Warner Bros.

      This is where Bret Easton Ellis enters the conversation. Aside from writing American Psycho, Less Than Zero, and his latest work The Shards, Ellis has become a knowledgeable and straightforward film critic. He regularly discusses both new and classic films on The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast, often sharing unexpected or contrarian viewpoints. He was not impressed, for instance, by the widely praised Sinners.

      In a recent podcast episode, Ellis expressed his admiration for Anderson and asserted that his 2007 film There Will Be Blood might be the best of this century. However, he was let down by One Battle After Another and the widespread acclaim it has received.

      “It’s quite surprising to see such praise for — I’m sorry, but it’s just not a very good movie — based solely on its political ideology. It’s clear that this is what people are responding to, which is why it’s dubbed a masterpiece, the greatest film of the decade, even the greatest ever. It resonates with this leftist perspective,” Ellis explained to his audience.

      He predicts that the film will soon be regarded as “a sort of dated artifact of the post-Kamala Harris period — something everyone will gather around and pretend is exceptional and wonderful when it really isn’t, merely to make a point. That’s unfortunate, but that reflects our current situation.”

      Ellis acknowledged on the podcast that he appreciated certain elements of the film — like Bob’s attempts to connect with the revolutionary underground and its stunning cinematography.

      However, he believes both liberals and conservatives may be misinterpreting the film and expressed disagreement with Dargis’ review highlighting its significance.

      “No, it is not. It has not grasped the current situation at all. It hasn’t read the room right. It picks up on a small part of the room but misses the broader context of what’s happening in America,” Ellis stated on the podcast.

      He elaborated: “There’s a dated liberal aspect to this movie that already feels outmoded by October 2025. It simply doesn’t understand the current climate. It only captures a tiny section, missing the overall dynamics at play in America.”

      He also mentioned that he considers Anderson's three masterpieces to be Boogie Nights, Magnolia, and There Will Be Blood, but pointed out that he has also created some films he hasn't connected with at all.

      Later in the podcast, Ellis remarked that it’s perfectly acceptable to dislike certain works, and not everyone needs to share the same opinions. He understands, for instance, that his book The Shards may not appeal to everyone.

      However, Ellis’ podcast does bring positive news for One Battle After Another: he mentioned that based on his conversations with friends in Hollywood — both liberal and conservative, some of whom appreciated the film while others did not — there is an expectation that it will receive numerous Oscar nominations.

      Main image: Leonardo DiCaprio in One Battle After Another. Warner Bros.