Paul Thomas Anderson wins big as One Battle After Another tops Oscars

Oscar night ended with One Battle After Another taking best picture and director, its counter‑culture thriller seen as a striking response to an imperfect America. Paul Thomas Anderson’s film, which maps leftist activists against a proto‑fascist California and reads the tea‑leaves of Donald Trump’s second term, was the most overtly political entry among the nominees and also praised for being ambitious, rousing and satisfying.

The victory finally broke a long run of near‑misses for Anderson, who had endured 11 nominations without a win. Celebrated for Boogie Nights, Magnolia and There Will Be Blood, he has often been regarded as the finest American filmmaker of his generation, and in middle age was at last welcomed into the Oscar fold.

Anderson left with three Academy Awards: best film (shared with producers Sara Murphy and the late Adam Somner), best direction and adapted screenplay.

United States, California

oscars, best picture, best director, adapted screenplay, paul thomas, one battle, counterculture, donald trump, sara murphy, adam somner