DiCaprio Joins Cast at New York Screening as Oscar Buzz Mounts for One Battle After Another

Leonardo DiCaprio stepped onto the red carpet in New York City on Sunday for a screening of One Battle After Another, joining his co-stars as the film builds momentum ahead of awards season. The actor wore a gray double-breasted blazer with glossy black buttons, a white shirt, and leather dress shoes, accented by a simple lapel pin. He arrived alongside a number of his fellow cast members, including Teyana Taylor, Benicio del Toro, Sean Penn and Regina Hall, as they presented the project to a New York audience.

Taylor, 34, drew attention in a plunging plaid jumpsuit that she wore braless beneath, paired with a floor-length coat draped over her shoulders. Her look featured a chest-length statement, and she styled her short, pixie-cut hair with cat-eye makeup and a glossy mauve lip. Penn arrived in a black T-shirt with a khaki-green bomber jacket, blue jeans and white sneakers, while del Toro opted for a classic black suit and tie. Hall chose an all-black ensemble mixing faux leather with lace, complemented by a trench-inspired dress with a waterfall skirt and black pumps. The ensemble of the night underscored the film’s high-glam, star-driven presentation at The Film Society of Lincoln Center’s Walter Reade Theatre.

The event followed a broader promo push that has carried the film from Mexico City to New York, as the Paul Thomas Anderson-directed feature advances its Oscar campaign. Based on Thomas Pynchon’s 1990 novel Vineland, One Battle After Another is described as an action-thriller with elements of black comedy. DiCaprio’s character, Bob Ferguson, is portrayed as a disheveled, paranoid revolutionary who, after losing touch with his daughter Willa, teams up with a group of allies on a perilous mission to locate her. Taylor plays Perfidia, Willa’s mother, forming a central relationship that anchors the narrative as Penn’s Col. Steven J. Lockjaw embodies the antagonist and del Toro appears as Bob’s sensei guiding him through a life without fear.

The cast’s dynamic has helped propel the project’s momentum. Critics have praised Anderson’s handling of the material, with early reviews lauding the film’s ambition and its blend of action, drama and satire. The industry chatter around One Battle After Another has grown alongside five-star verdicts from several outlets, described in some circles as a defining work within its genre. Leading figures in the industry have publicly expressed enthusiasm, including Steven Spielberg, who highlighted the film’s relentless pace and audacity, calling it a cinematic experience with more intensity in its first hour than many directors achieve across entire careers.

The film’s trajectory has also influenced betting markets. Coral’s current odds place One Battle After Another at 4-5 to win Best Picture at the 2026 Oscars, with DiCaprio positioned as the odds-on favorite for Best Actor at 1-2. Coral’s John Hill noted that the strong early reception has translated into substantial betting support, underscoring the industry’s perception of the film as a potential top contender. Critics’ praise for DiCaprio’s star presence is paired with recognition for co-stars such as Penn and Hall, whose performances have been cited in several five-star reviews.

The narrative thread centers on Bob Ferguson’s attempt to reunite with his daughter and rally a coalition around a high-stakes mission. Del Toro’s character provides a mentorship dynamic that guides Bob through a world that blends off-the-grid survival with political subtext. Regina Hall’s Deandra adds another layer, portraying a revolutionary figure whose presence deepens the film’s thematic exploration of loyalty, power and consequence. While the project embraces genre thrills, it simultaneously engages with larger questions about resistance, identity and the costs of pursuing justice in a precarious political landscape.

Industry observers note that the film’s strong critical reception has helped sustain its Oscar conversation amid a crowded awards season slate. The screening in New York followed the movie’s Mexico City stop as part of a wider rollout designed to maximize visibility among awards voters. As One Battle After Another moves toward a broader release, industry outlets have highlighted its ambitious direction, its ensemble and DiCaprio’s continued prominence in prestige cinema. The conversation around the film extends beyond entertainment, touching on the way its narrative weaves cultural memory, political unrest and personal reckoning into a timely cinematic experience.

At the center of the conversation is the film’s tonal balance. Paul Thomas Anderson’s adaptation of Vineland places a premium on kinetic set pieces while maintaining character-driven moments that reveal the personal stakes behind the action. DiCaprio’s portrayal of a disenchanted revolutionary offers a textured performance that critics say captures both grit and vulnerability. Penn’s portrayal of a formidable foe adds a psychological tension that has drawn praise from reviewers who describe the film as a rare blend of blockbuster energy and intimate drama. Regina Hall and Taylor round out a cast whose chemistry has been highlighted by reviewers as a driving force behind the film’s emotional resonance.

As the Oscar conversation intensifies, One Battle After Another stands out for its audacious approach to genre and its willingness to blend high-octane action with biting social commentary. The film’s reception suggests that it will be a focal point of awards-season discussions, with industry insiders watching closely to see how its momentum translates into nominations and wins. The collaboration between Anderson’s meticulous directorial vision and a high-profile cast has already generated a strong foothold in the cultural conversation surrounding prestige cinema this year.