Bold claim: One Battle After Another is reshaping the Oscar race from the moment awards season begins. Paul Thomas Anderson’s acclaimed comedy-thriller has quickly positioned itself as a top best-picture contender as the year’s awards chatter heats up.
Adapted from a Thomas Pynchon novel, the film stars Leonardo DiCaprio as a former revolutionary who embarks on a quest to locate his daughter. It captured the best feature prize at Monday’s Gotham Awards, a result that surprised Anderson on stage as he admitted, “I didn’t anticipate this; it makes me wonder if I truly understand what’s happening.”
Anderson, a writer-director whose projects include Phantom Thread and Licorice Pizza, has earned 11 Oscar nominations over the years but has yet to secure a win.
The Gothams, historically a platform honoring independent cinema, recently scrapped its $35 million budget cap, opening the door for big-studio releases like Barbie, Challengers, and Poor Things to compete alongside indie titles.
Warner Bros.’ One Battle After Another carries an estimated production budget of at least $130 million and has already grossed approximately $202 million worldwide.
Awards from the Gotham ceremony extended beyond the film itself: Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù received best lead performance for My Father’s Shadow, and Wunmi Mosaku earned best supporting performance for Sinners. Ryan Coogler’s blockbuster vampire epic is also anticipated to be a heavy hitter in the Oscar race.
Following the Gothams, One Battle After Another won best film from the New York Film Critics Circle, where Benicio Del Toro was named best supporting actor. Additional wins included Rose Byrne for best actress in If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, Wagner Moura for best actor in The Secret Agent, and Amy Madigan as best supporting actress for Weapons.
Jafar Panahi’s It Was Just an Accident received directing honors from both organizations. Panahi’s wins arrive as he faces an in-absentia prison sentence in Iran for alleged propaganda activities, a development that coincides with the film earning the Palme d’Or at Cannes this year.
Panahi expressed that the Gotham and critics’ recognition stands as a small tribute to filmmakers worldwide who are denied visibility yet continue to create and exist.
Looking ahead, next week brings the Golden Globes nominations, with the ceremony slated for January 11. Oscar nominations are scheduled to be announced on January 22.
