10 Lines and Scenes I Still Can’t Get Over from One Battle After Another
Hey everyone, if you're searching for the best movies of 2025 that mix heart-pounding action, laugh-out-loud humor, and real-life feels, look no further than One Battle After Another. Directed by the genius Paul Thomas Anderson, this film has taken the world by storm – and for good reason. Just this week, it swept the National Board of Review awards, grabbing Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor for Leonardo DiCaprio, Best Supporting Actor for Benicio del Toro, and even a Breakthrough Performance nod for Chase Infiniti. Before that, it won Best Feature at the Gotham Awards on Monday and Best Film from the New York Film Critics Circle on Tuesday. These wins from top film organizations confirm what I've been saying since I first saw it: this is hands-down one of the best movies of the year. It's my absolute favorite too – a wild ride through revolution, family drama, and absurd comedy that still has me replaying moments in my head.
What I love most are the lines and scenes that hit you right in the gut or crack you up when you least expect it. Some dive deep into tough stuff like motherhood, while others deliver hilarious chaos, like revolutionaries fumbling secret codes over the phone. In this personal blog post, I'm sharing my top 10 favorite lines and scenes from One Battle After Another (2025). These are the ones that stuck with me, made me cheer, cry, or laugh till my sides hurt. Drop a comment below – which of these are your faves? Or better yet, share your own standout moments from the movie. Let's geek out together!
Let's dive in.
1. "¡Viva la Revolución!" – The Emotional Send-Off That Fires Up Your Soul
First lets start with the tone for the whole revolutionary vibe. Bob Ferguson (Leonardo DiCaprio at his raw, intense best) shares a tense, heartfelt chat with his mentor Sergio St. Carlos (Benicio del Toro owning every second) right before they part ways for good. It's a quick exchange, but man, it packs a punch – pure courage and fire.
- Sensei, Sensei, please!
- Courage, Bob. Courage.
- That's it?
- Courage. Yeah. Yeah.
- Thank you. Hey! Thank you, Sensei. Thank you, Sensei! Thank you! God damn it! ¡Viva la revolución! ¡Viva!
2. Benicio del Toro's Tense Cop Stop – The Scene That Earned Him Best Supporting Actor Glory
Benicio del Toro absolutely steals the show as Sergio, and it's no surprise he snagged the Best Supporting Actor award from both the National Board of Review and the New York Film Critics Circle for this role. My favorite showcase? This nail-biting roadside interrogation where he's cool under pressure, tossing out deadpan lies that had me on the edge of my seat one minute and giggling the next. It's peak Del Toro – sly, vulnerable, and totally unforgettable.
One of my favorite scenes from Paul Thomas Anderson's One Battle After Another
— Bookworm & Film Buff (@kitapveokuru) December 4, 2025
Benicio del Toro is in his best... pic.twitter.com/Z8Ou1Pln09
- Do you have any weapons on you, sir?
- No, sir.
- Why are you running from us?
- Had a long day, ma'am.
- You didn't see the lights back there?
- Yes, I did.
- What did you toss out of the vehicle?
- 'Scuse me?
- [cop 1] What did you toss out of the vehicle back there?
- Trash.
- [cop 1] You sure about that?
- Yes, ma'am.
- [cop 1] You been drinking today?
- I've had a few.
- [cop 1] A few what? Few small beers.
3. Raw Truths on New Motherhood – Perfidia's Heart-Wrenching Confession
Nothing hits harder than the quiet, real moments amid all the chaos. Teyana Taylor's Perfidia Beverly Hills shines in this post-birth scene, pouring out her messy emotions about feeling invisible after bringing a new life into the world. They're so honest about the jealousy and pain that nobody talks about enough. Pure gold for anyone who's felt that postpartum fog.
"- [Perfidia] No, I just, I wanna feel seen and loved and... I fuckin' carried her nine months. And now he can just, gets to fuckin' walk around... and just swoonin' all fuckin' day. It's like she's his only girl. Like, I just no longer exist. I'm just a fuckin' piece of meat. And sometimes, I feel crazy, cause I'm just like... am I weird for being jealous of my baby? I don't fuckin' feel seen. I don't feel love. I feel fuckin' ugly. My nipples hurt."
4. Selfie Break During a Police Chase – Peak Absurd Humor in the Heat of Escape
Who pauses for a photo op mid-fugitive mode? Only in this movie! Fresh off ditching the cops, Bob reunites with Sergio in his getaway car, and instead of flooring it, Sergio's first words are comedy perfection. This quick, ridiculous beat perfectly captures the film's wild blend of danger and dumb fun – I laughed so hard I nearly choked on my popcorn.
"Lets get a selfie..."
5. Bob's Panicked Cop Interrogation Lies – Hilarious Name Games Under Pressure
Caught red-handed, Bob's attempt to play it cool spirals into total farce when the cops grill him on basics like his name and birthday. DiCaprio's wide-eyed desperation sells every fib, turning a scary bust into one of the film's funniest bits. It's that chaotic energy that makes you root for this lovable mess of a revolutionary.
- [cop] Sir, do you know your last name?
- [Bob] No.
- [cop] What's your last name?
- [whimpers] Batman.
- [cop] Okay, come on. I need to know your real last name.
- Um, Parker. Peter Parker, man.
- [cop] Peter Parker.
- Yeah.
- [cop] All right, listen. This is your last chance. If you don't give me your real last name, it's gonna be another charge. What is it?
- Okay, okay. Stop harassing me, for God sakes! Parker. Jim Parker, man.
- [cop] Your name's Jim Parker?
- Yeah.
- [cop] Okay, Jim. What's your date of birth? I'm somewhere in the '80s, man.
- [cop] In the '80s.
- Yeah.
6. Colonel Lockjaw's Bizarre "Raped in Reverse" Rant – Absurd Racism Exposed with Dark Laughs
Sean Penn's Colonel Steven J. Lockjaw is a riot as the unhinged member of a shady group, and this explanation to his crew about him having a "mixed" baby is next-level ridiculous. It's absurd, uncomfortable, and spot-on satire that had me cringing and chuckling at the sheer stupidity. Penn nails the over-the-top delusion every time.
- I was once raped in reverse.
- Raped in reverse?
- Could you explain how that might work for us, Colonel Lockjaw?
- [Lockjaw] The enemy employed deception. I was drugged. And while unconscious... my brain was not working. But my power was, and I believe it was taken advantage of.
7. Bob Calls Out "Fuckin' Slave Owners" – Fiery History Lesson in the Classroom
Bob's visit to his daughter's school turns into a mic-drop moment when he eyes the portraits of "great" Americans and lets loose on their dark sides. As a history buff, this rant fired me up – it's bold, truthful, and ties right into the film's revolutionary heart. DiCaprio delivers it with that perfect mix of anger and wit.
- History class? Teachin' the right kind of history, I hope. Lincoln. I see you got all the greats here, huh? Oh, yeah. What were his intentions? Got Teddy Roosevelt over there. You got... Hope you teach about the Philippines and all that.
- We don't get all into the details just yet,
- but we don't hide from them, either.
- You should. Gotta tell the truth. And then you got the Grand Wizard over there, right? Mr. Benjamin Franklin. Forefather. Fuckin' slave owner. Fuckin' slave owners everywhere.
8. "You're a Stump, Not a Runner" – Savage Family Teardown with a Side of Truth
Family dynamics get savage when Bob talks to Perfidia's mom. And this is what she tells him:
- You know, you are so unsuitable for my daughter.
- [Pat] Me?
- Yeah, you. And that's hilarious. My child comes from a whole line of revolutionaries. And you look so lost. She's a runner, and you a stump.
9. Fumbled Secret Codes Over the Phone – Revolutionary Paranoia Gone Hilariously Wrong
The movie's got two killer bits where group members botch their spy-like codes to verify identities, but this phone call with Bob takes the cake for sheer awkwardness. It's everyday stoner forgetfulness crashing into high-stakes drama – I replay this for the laughs every time I'm in a group chat gone wrong.
- [woman over phone] Bob?
- Who's this?
- "We have trouble ahead. And the road isn't clear."
- Wait, excuse me? Who is this? Who is this?
- I need the greeting code, Bob.
- Oh, fuck. Well, I don't remember the fuckin' greeting code because I got a little bit high. And I... it's been fuckin' years, so you gotta help me out here with this.
10. "The Daughter of a Rat Is a Baby Rat" – Willa's Crushing Betrayal Revelation
Chase Infiniti's Willa Ferguson breaks your heart in this convent showdown with a nun who drops the bitter truth about her mom's past. It's a gut-punch twist that flips her hero worship on its head, and Wills's quiet devastation is award-worthy. This one's stayed with me as a raw look at inherited shadows.
- Unbelievable.
- Do I look just like her?
- No. Not really. But you do on the inside. Which makes you quite a risk around here. The daughter of a rat is a baby rat. And we must be careful.
Wrapping Up: Why One Battle After Another Will Stick with Me Forever
Whew, reliving these lines and scenes has me itching to hit play again – One Battle After Another isn't just a movie; it's a full-on emotional workout wrapped in explosive fun. From the revolutionary rallying cries to the messy truths of family and the laugh-riot blunders, Paul Thomas Anderson and this stellar cast (shoutout to DiCaprio, Del Toro, Taylor, Penn, and Infiniti) created something timeless. It's got me thinking about courage, legacy, and not taking ourselves too seriously, all while delivering blockbuster thrills. If you haven't seen it yet, grab some popcorn and dive in – you won't regret it. What's your top pick from my list, or do you have a hidden gem I missed? Hit the comments, share the love, and let's keep the conversation going. Thanks for reading my take – catch you in the next post!
