Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Bret Easton Ellis Rebukes Praise for ‘One Battle After Another,’ Calling Acclaim Ideological

His podcast broadside targets a film lauded by critics with a 95 Metacritic score, with worldwide grosses above $100 million.

Overview

  • On his podcast, the American Psycho author said the Paul Thomas Anderson film is “not a very good movie” and argued critics like it because it “aligns with this kind of leftist sensibility.”
  • He characterized the movie’s tone as “liberal mustiness” and predicted it will be remembered as a dated “post-Kamala Harris” relic.
  • Ellis, a longtime admirer of Anderson’s work, acknowledged the cinematography and some performances even as he dismissed the raves.
  • Variety’s Owen Gleiberman countered with a rave, calling the film a “mesmerizing vision,” underscoring the divide between plaudits and ideological pushback.
  • The film opened Sept. 26, has earned about $114 million worldwide, stands as 2025’s highest-rated release on Metacritic, and is Anderson’s first to surpass $100 million.