Quartile rating: 8.5/10 · 2 ratings
One Battle After Another has a genuinely distinctive voice — a weed-paranoid, off-grid former revolutionary chasing ghosts of his own past in a thriller-comedy that blends anti-fascist politics with deadpan family drama. The premise and tone are singular enough to earn high Novelty. The plot is engaging but somewhat uneven, juggling its satirical and thriller registers with mixed results. Acting appears competent but unremarkable across the ensemble. Cinematography is serviceable genre work without standout visual ambition. The ending feels rushed and undercooked given the weight of the themes built up — a common stumbling block for films of this type that set up more than they can satisfyingly resolve.