Warner Bros.' "One Battle After Another," directed by Paul Thomas Anderson and starring Leonardo DiCaprio, has debuted to significant critical acclaim and solid box office performance, positioning itself as an early contender in the awards season. The film garnered $8.8 million across Friday and previews from 3,634 North American locations, including advance premium large-format screenings. Despite its substantial production budget of over $130 million, excluding global marketing, the movie has been embraced by critics, earning the stature of a modern classic, and resonates strongly with audiences, receiving a superb "A" grade from CinemaScore. This marks DiCaprio's highest CinemaScore since "Titanic" (1997) and contrasts sharply with Anderson's now-beloved "Boogie Nights," which received a "C" in the same year. The film is on track for an opening between $20 million and $25 million, making it Anderson's potentially biggest theatrical release ever, surpassing his 2007 hit "There Will Be Blood."

The film's theatrical rollout is uniquely ornate, utilizing Imax, other premium large-formats, 70mm, Imax 70mm, and even the long-dormant VistaVision format, boosting grosses with luxury ticket prices. Warner Bros. is looking for "One Battle After Another" to maintain buzz and strong word-of-mouth for profitability, especially after a run of seven consecutive films opening above $40 million domestically. Other notable releases include Universal's G-rated "Gabby's Dollhouse: The Movie," projected for a $13.6 million opening and an "A+" CinemaScore, and Lionsgate's horror sequel "The Strangers: Chapter II," which earned $2.4 million across Friday and previews, eyeing a $5.6 million opening. "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle" from Sony and Crunchyroll is set to hit a $117.8 million domestic total through Sunday, while Warner Bros.' "The Conjuring: Last Rites" continues its strong run, projecting $161 million through its fourth weekend. Universal’s “Him” and Sony’s “A Big Bold Beautiful Journey” are both struggling in their sophomore outings.

Beyond its box office performance, "One Battle After Another" is heralded as a rare cinematic event with the potential to dominate cultural conversation, an increasingly uncommon feat in today's splintered content landscape. The film powerfully connects with contemporary anxieties, particularly regarding the erosion of democracy and the path toward autocracy in the United States. Set in a police-state America that uncannily mirrors current societal fears, it immerses viewers for over two and a half hours in a "cave of anxiety and outrage," provoking "shocks of recognition and a kind of suck-in-your-breath catharsis." The movie acts as a "heightened mirror," compelling audiences to confront the fate of the country and ask profound questions about its direction.

Critics and social media buzz suggest the film is poised to be a sensation, not just a hit drama for adults, but a catalyst for widespread discussion. Its relevance is described as a "10 out of 10," resonating with major societal events like the Jimmy Kimmel saga and the James Comey indictment. Intriguingly, there's a prediction that a significant segment of its audience could come from the right, drawn by its big vision and nuanced portrayal of revolutionary guerrillas in shades of gray, rather than as clear-cut heroes. Leonardo DiCaprio's performance as the depressed stoner Bob and Sean Penn's portrayal of the Army despot Col. Lockjaw are highlighted as particularly inspired and relatable. The film boldly confronts budding American autocracy and offers a scathing view of Christian nationalism, while also serving as a potent reminder of cinema's enduring power to matter.

The massive scope of "One Battle After Another" makes it Paul Thomas Anderson's most ambitious film yet, meticulously brought to life by production designer Florencia Martin. The narrative spans diverse landscapes, from the desert east of San Diego and the Tijuana border to the NorCal redwoods. The film loosely draws inspiration from Thomas Pynchon’s novel “Vineland,” with initial scouting for locations beginning before the Covid pandemic and serious efforts in 2022. Martin meticulously crafted a "tapestry of California," utilizing inland neighborhoods like Sacramento, Stockton, and Fresno, rather than typical coastal sights. The big-budget production filmed in at least nine California counties and El Paso, Texas, benefiting from $8.4 million in California production subsidies.

Key locations and sets include the Sacramento rail yards, the Tijuana border crossing at Otay Mesa, and the undulating hills of the Anza-Borrego desert. The fictional city of Baktan Cross is a fusion of Eureka and El Paso. The dramatic dance scene was shot at Eureka High School with real students, while Sacramento’s Reagan Mansion served as the headquarters for the nefarious Christmas Adventurer’s Club. For Bob and Willa’s hideout, a single bedroom house "engulfed by redwoods" was used, with Willa's bedroom built on-site and decorated with personal touches. Sensei's labyrinthine apartment, which shelters migrants, was constructed on the second floor above El Paso’s Genesis Perfumeria, drawing inspiration from its distinctive green interior and thousands of perfume bottles.

The Sisters of the Brave Beaver compound, informed by the actual "weed nuns" Sisters of the Valley, was filmed at La Purisima Mission in Lompoc, north of Santa Barbara. Martin noted the challenge of finding a dilapidated mission among California's well-restored ones, making La Purisima's stripped-away aesthetic ideal for a sanctuary turned monetized operation. The border detention camps were designed with sensitivity, consulting contemporary and historic photos and military advisors to accurately depict temporary camps under overpasses, where Border Patrol and immigrants were present during filming. The epic car chase scene was pieced together across the "river of hills" in Borrego Springs and the Anza-Borrego desert, including the dramatic "Texas Dip" highway. Martin, whose experience includes "Mad Men," described "One Battle After Another" as her most extensive scouting undertaking, connecting deeply with California's communities and showcasing the power of local filming and dedicated crew.