Paul Thomas Anderson’s ‘One Battle After Another’ Steals the Show at 2026 Golden Globes

The 83rd Golden Globes turned out to be a big night for Paul Thomas Anderson, whose latest flick, One Battle After Another, nabbed the top prize for Best Picture – Comedy or Musical. The film, which drew inspiration from Thomas Pynchon’s novel Vineland, had already been the talk of the town, racking up nine nominations and setting the pace for the evening.

Leonardo DiCaprio fronts the cast as Bob, a washed-up ex-revolutionary who once ran with the far-left crew French 75. These days, Bob’s off the grid, battling his own demons with booze and whatever else he can get his hands on. But when his daughter Willa, played by Chase Infiniti, lands in strife, he’s dragged back into the thick of things, forced to face his past and try to set things right.

Stiff Competition and Standout Performances

The category was packed with strong contenders. Yorgos Lanthimos put up Bugonia, while Josh Safdie’s Marty Supreme had Timothée Chalamet in the lead. Richard Linklater doubled up with Nouvelle Vague and Blue Moon, and Park Chan-wook’s No Other Choice rounded out the field. Still, it was Anderson’s film that had punters talking, with its mix of old hands and fresh faces all turning in top-notch performances.

One review from Far Out summed up the mood:

“Revitalising old stars and launching new ones, it does it all there too, as every single element of this movie, every person and every detail, feels masterful.”

The reviewer went on,

“It’s a Hollywood romp that has been through the rigours of arthouse attention to detail and intention to stir.”

Director’s Moment in the Spotlight

Anderson himself didn’t leave empty-handed, picking up Best Director on the night. He was clearly chuffed, telling the crowd,

“You guys are being so generous with this affection for me and this film, and I’ll take it – I’ll take it with the love that it’s given and the appreciation… I love doing what I do. So this is just fun.”

He made a point of thanking Mike De Luca, saying,

“[De Luca] said he had a dream of running a studio one day, and he was going to let directors do whatever the hell they wanted. So that’s how you get a Sinners. That’s how you get a Weapons. That’s how you get a One Battle After Another. So I really want to say thank you.”

A Night to Remember

With a haul of nominations and a couple of big wins, One Battle After Another has cemented its place as one of the year’s most talked-about films. The combination of a gripping story, a cast firing on all cylinders, and Anderson’s steady hand behind the camera made for a memorable night at the Globes.