Warner Bros. Pictures has unveiled the first teaser for One Battle After Another, the highly anticipated new film from writer-director Paul Thomas Anderson. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Regina Hall, Teyana Taylor, and Sean Penn, the film is set for a theatrical release on September 26.
The short teaser offers a glimpse into Paul Thomas Anderson’s latest cinematic world, opening with multiple characters firing guns in an open field. In a standout moment, Teyana Taylor’s character—visibly pregnant—aims and shoots a rifle while Leonardo DiCaprio’s character calmly sips a drink. The teaser then cuts to a newborn baby, followed by a jarring transition to a grown-up version of the child firing a rifle, mirroring her mother’s actions.
“Just when you think you got a handle on things,” a voice ominously remarks, as Leonardo DiCaprio, now sporting a goatee, looks down the scope of a gun. Meanwhile, Sean Penn’s character is seen dragging a young woman through an alleyway, adding to the film’s intense and suspenseful atmosphere.
Even before the teaser’s release, One Battle After Another was already making headlines. Rumored to be Paul Thomas Anderson’s most expensive project yet, early reports estimated the film’s budget at over $100 million, with recent figures reaching as high as $140 million.
The film marks Paul Thomas Anderson’s return to the director’s chair after Licorice Pizza (2021), which, despite critical acclaim, failed to recoup its $40 million budget. That film’s breakout star, Alana Haim, is also part of the ensemble cast, which includes Benicio del Toro, Wood Harris, Shayna McHayle, and Chase Infiniti.
Principal photography for One Battle After Another began in January 2024 under the working title BC Project. As with many of Paul Thomas Anderson’s films, the majority of shooting took place in California, though some on-location filming also occurred in El Paso, Texas. Staying true to his signature visual style, Anderson shot the film on 35mm using VistaVision cameras, ensuring a cinematic experience rich in texture and depth.
The project also marks the sixth collaboration between Paul Thomas Anderson and composer Johnny Greenwood, whose scores have become synonymous with the director’s work. It is also the fifth project featuring first assistant director Adam Somner, who tragically passed away in November 2024.
With One Battle After Another, Paul Thomas Anderson appears to be delivering an action-packed, emotionally charged drama that blends his signature storytelling with a grand, high-stakes production. The full trailer is set to drop next week, offering an even closer look at what is shaping up to be one of the most talked-about films of the year.
