In movies, TV shows, and books, few themes resonate as deeply as the relationship between a parent and child.
Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another promises to explore this dynamic with honesty, through the story of a father whose love for his daughter runs deep. The film follows Bob, an ex-revolutionary who sets out to save his daughter Willa from a corrupt military official.
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We interviewed real-life fathers and daughters to understand the many layers of the bond between a parent and their child. These interviews, showcasing three different kinds of relationships, offer a peek into Bob and Willa’s journey, ultimately showcasing the film’s central theme: the unwavering power of a father’s love.
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The traditional relationship
The first interview follows the traditional relationship, where respect and clear roles define the dynamic. Here, the daughter views her father as a pillar of strength and wisdom, while the father sees his role as provider and protector. This dynamic echoes the initial state of Bob’s character. He is a man who protects and fights for those he loves. This father is a natural guardian and a cornerstone for his family. He embodies the classic, protective father figure, a man who would face “one battle after another” for those closest to his heart.
The best friend relationship
The best-friend relationship is characterized by open communication, shared jokes, and a sense of equality. Here, the father and daughter are confidantes, and celebrate each other’s triumphs and navigate challenges side-by-side. This mirrors the ideal state Bob longs for with Willa. He tries to shield her from his past, not just as a father, but as a partner in a shared struggle. The hope is that they can face these battles together. This bond is what Bob desperately tries to rekindle: a connection that transcends the traditional paternal role and becomes a partnership.
The reverse parent-child relationship
Also known as emotional parentification, where the child becomes responsible for their parents’ or other family members’ emotional well-being, acting as a confidant, counselor, or emotional supporter. Here, the daughter views her father with a mix of affection and gentle eye-rolling. She sees his quirks but accepts them completely. It is in this silent, often mundane, shared existence that the reverse parent-child relationship truly manifests. Willa doesn’t just manage the household logistics—she manages Bob’s internal atmosphere, offering silent, preemptive emotional support. She is the anchor in his life, and he, in turn, offers her an unquestioning, if sometimes bewildering, freedom. This arrangement isn’t always fair, but for now, it is their stable equilibrium: she provides the grounding reality he lacks, and he gives the accepting space she needs.
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The interviews, while lighthearted, highlight a profound truth: a father’s love is not just one thing. It can be a fierce protective love, but it can also be the collaborative or the quiet kind. Whatever kind of love it is, they will go to the ends of the Earth to support their child.
Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures
In One Battle After Another,” Bob’s journey is rooted in one singular, undeniable force: his love for Willa. It is this love that turns a broken man into a fighter, proving that when it comes to family, the battle is never truly over, and a father’s love is the most powerful weapon of all. The film asks us to reflect on what it truly means to be a family.
One Battle After Another starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Chase Infiniti, Teyana Taylor, Sean Penn, and Benicio Del Toro is NOW SHOWING in cinemas nationwide!
Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures
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