If you’re looking for works with the same dose of tension and humor, check out our selection that ranges from Adam Sandler’s chaos to Leonardo DiCaprio’s paranoia
Few things compare to the feeling of finishing a great film and being left wanting “more”. This is exactly the experience that the new film Paul Thomas Anderson (PTA), One Battle After Anotherhas provided the public.
The work, starring Leonardo DiCaprio (Titanic), is one of those experiences that are difficult to fit into one box: it’s a political thriller with touches of acid comedy and a family drama with an unforgettable soundtrack.
If you were one of those who left the session impacted and are looking for works that provoke the same feeling, you’ve come to the right place. THE Rolling Stone Brazil a list of five films that, in different ways, share the same DNA as One Battle After Another. Whether for the ambitious direction, the bold mix of genres, the sharp social commentary or the unforgettable plot twists, these are the next mandatory stops for your marathon. Check it out!
Django Unchained (2012)
If the epic scale, palpable tension and impactful soundtrack of One Battle After Another conquered you, then the revenge journey of Quentin Tarantino in Django Unchained is your next mandatory stop. In the film, we follow Django (Jamie Foxx, Baby Driveand), a slave freed by a German bounty hunter (Christoph Waltz, Inglourious Basterds) who helps him in the dangerous mission of rescuing his wife from the clutches of the brutal farmer Calvin Candie (Leonardo DiCaprio).
The connection between the two films goes beyond the grandeur of the story. Like this Paul Thomas Anderson, Tarantino It uses music masterfully, with each song exploding onto the screen to dictate the tone and energy of the scene. Visually, the direction is a spectacle in itself, with beautiful photography and scene compositions that transform both the raw violence and the hero’s journey into a true work of art.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video (requires add-on).
Parasite (2019)
The main connection between Parasite and the film PTA is about mixing genres and surprising the audience with a powerful social commentary. The award-winning film Bong Joon-ho introduce us to the family Kimwho lives in a dirty basement and plans to infiltrate the naive family’s luxurious home park. One by one, they assume false identities to work at the mansion, but what they don’t know is that the house hides a dark secret that will lead their plans to tragic consequences.
Just like in One Battle After Anotherthe South Korean film moves brilliantly between drama, acid comedy and claustrophobic suspense, using each genre to deepen its criticism of current issues.
Where to watch: Globoplay.
Inherent vice (2014)
It would be impossible not to include another of his own films. Paul Thomas Anderson on the list, after all, anyone who likes a work tends to want to explore the director’s entire filmography. And although it is not one of his most famous films, Inherent Vice is perhaps the closest spiritually to One Battle After Another. In the plot, Joaquin Phoenix (Joker) star as Doc Sportelloa stoned private detective who navigates the counterculture of 1970s Los Angeles and finds himself caught up in a web of bizarre conspiracies while investigating the disappearance of an ex-girlfriend.
The “vibe” shared between the two films is no coincidence: both are based on the work of the reclusive author Thomas Pynchonwhich explains the complex plot, the fast pace and the peculiar humor that permeates the narrative. The presence of Benicio Del Toro in both casts only strengthens this connection, making Inherent Vice an interesting gateway to the rest of this great director’s fascinating (and sometimes more serious) universe.
Where to watch: HBO Max.
The Departed (2006)
If the impeccable direction and increasing tension of One Battle After Another left you glued to the screen, so The Departedthe masterpiece of Martin Scorsese which finally won him the Oscar, is a clear choice. The film throws us into a Boston divided by the Irish mafia, where a rookie police officer, Billy Costigan (Leonardo DiCaprio), receives the mission to infiltrate the boss’s gang Frank Costello (Jack Nicholson). At the same time, Colin Sullivan (Matt Damon), a criminal who rose through the ranks of the police, acts as a spy for Costello.
The connection between the films is in the realm of direction. Scorseselike this PTAbuilds a game of cat and mouse so engaging that the hour passes and you don’t even notice. The tension here is driven by the constant paranoia of espionage, with both protagonists living in fear of being discovered at any moment. Furthermore, the film shares an acidic humor and sharp dialogues, which serve as a brief relief before plunging the viewer back into breathtaking suspense sequences.
Where to watch: Available on digital rental.
Uncut Gems (2019)
If what marked you most in One Battle After Another it was the feeling of growing anxiety and tension that doesn’t let you breathe, Uncut Jewels will take you to the limit. In this acclaimed film by Safdie brothers, Adam Sandler (A Crazy Golfer) delivers the performance of his career as Howard Ratnera gambling-addicted New York jeweler who risks everything on a rare opal while evading angry loan sharks in a desperate race against time.
The connection here is purely sensory. The genius of the film is how it keeps you on the screen: the tension doesn’t come from an overload of information, but from a script so well constructed and a character so chaotic and fascinating that it’s impossible to look away. Just like in the long PTAyou don’t rest for a second.
Where to watch: Netflix.
READ ALSO: All the songs on the soundtrack for ‘One Battle After Another’
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Paul Thomas Anderson
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One Battle After Another
Source: Rollingstone
Earl Johnson is a music writer at Gossipify, known for his in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the industry. A graduate of USC with a degree in Music, he brings years of experience and passion to his writing. He covers the latest releases and trends, always on the lookout for the next big thing in music.
