The phrase "One Battle After Another" refers to the title of a 2025 film directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, inspired by Thomas Pynchon's novel "Vineland." The story is about the confrontations and struggles involving a radical left-wing revolutionary group called the French 75, with members like Bob (formerly "Ghetto Pat") and Perfidia. The narrative follows Bob, a former munitions expert, and his teenage daughter Willa as they are pursued by a ruthless colonel named Lockjaw, who represents authoritarian and racist forces. The film explores themes of political resistance against oppressive systems, the legacy of past revolutionary actions, and the ongoing fight against authoritarian and white supremacist powers in America. It also deeply portrays the personal stakes of this struggle within a family trying to survive and protect each other. In essence, "One Battle After Another" is about continuous resistance against systemic oppression, with an emphasis on the confrontation between revolutionary ideals and contemporary authoritarian power. It intertwines political violence, personal sacrifice, and the quest for liberation across generations while highlighting the tension between "Us" (the oppressed and resistors) and "Them" (authoritarian elites and oppressive forces).
