Benicio del Toro Shines as Sensei Sergio in 2025’s Standout Film

2025 proved a cracking year for Benicio del Toro, especially for those keen on catching him at the cinema. While he took on a layered lead as Zsa-Zsa Korda in Wes Anderson’s The Phoenician Scheme, it was his supporting role in Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another that really got punters talking. His performance as Sergio St. Carlos, better known as Sensei Sergio, has now seen him named GamesRadar+’s character of the year.

Sensei Sergio: The Heart of Baktan Cross

Set in a town simmering with tension, Anderson’s film weaves together themes of family, rebellion, and what we leave behind. Del Toro’s Sergio spends his days teaching karate to local kids and, on the side, acts as a pillar for the undocumented community in Baktan Cross, California. When ex-revolutionary Bob (Leonardo DiCaprio) realises his daughter Willa (Chase Infiniti) is in strife, Sergio is the first bloke he calls. Bob’s old mate, Colonel Steven Lockjaw (Sean Penn), a right-wing type with a grudge against the French 75, is closing in, and Willa’s in the firing line. Bob’s mates manage to whisk Willa away just in time, but years of hard living have left Bob a bit foggy, and he can’t recall where they’re meant to meet up.

Sergio, trusted from the outset, is more than willing to lend a hand, though he’s got his own headaches. Lockjaw’s rolled into town with a squad of immigration officers, and Sergio’s flat is already a safe haven for a group of undocumented folks. As he puts it,

‘a little Latino Harriet Tubman situation going on at my place. All legit. From the heart.’

He’s happy to help Bob, but first he’s got to get a couple of dozen people to safety.

Comic Relief and Quiet Courage

Sergio stands in stark contrast to Lockjaw. While Lockjaw can’t seem to command any real respect, Sergio is both admired and genuinely liked by everyone from Bob’s family to the local teens. In one of the film’s funnier moments, Bob’s desperate to charge his phone but can’t stay put, so Sergio shepherds him through an apartment block with the same calm authority he uses on his karate students. Bob grumbles, but he follows along.

Del Toro brings a dry wit to the role, delivering some of the film’s best lines. When police pull him over and ask if he’s been drinking, he replies,

‘I’ve had a few.’

Pressed for details, he adds,

‘a few small beers.’

It’s a moment that’s sure to stick with anyone who’s ever seen a beer ad.

Leading by Example

What really sets Sergio apart isn’t just his humour, but his quiet bravery. He doesn’t go in for the grand gestures of the French 75, who are all about dramatic stunts and big statements. Instead, Sergio helps in ways that matter day-to-day, risking plenty to help Bob and others, even when he’s got no real reason to. Bob’s escape from the police would’ve been a non-starter without Sergio’s help, and at one point, Sergio even hands himself over to the cops to give Bob a chance to get away.

As they chase after Willa, Sergio tells Bob,

‘I’ll tell you what freedom is. No fear. Like Tom fucking Cruise.’

It’s a line that sums up his approach—steady, unflappable, and just a bit cheeky.

Raising the Next Generation

Among those hiding in Sergio’s building are plenty of kids. As he ushers them through a trapdoor towards a network of tunnels and, eventually, safety in a church, mothers help their little ones with backpacks and toys. It’s a quietly powerful scene, showing that the real fight is about making things better for those coming up behind us. Sergio’s actions, though understated, capture the film’s core message: the struggle never really ends, and it’s up to us to help the next lot do better.

Honourable mentions this year go to Clark Kent/Kal-El from Superman, Thia from Predator: Badlands, Kleya Marki from Andor season 2, and Annie from Sinners. One Battle After Another is now out to buy or rent for a night in.