Overview

• The action satire opens in theaters on Sept. 26, with first reviews arriving Wednesday.
• Critics highlight Anderson’s large-scale filmmaking and Jonny Greenwood’s propulsive score, with some calling the film among his best.
• Performances draw strong notices, especially Sean Penn’s turn as Sgt. Steven J. Lockjaw, alongside Leonardo DiCaprio and breakout newcomer Chase Infiniti.
• DiCaprio says the film centers on humanity, polarization and extremism, framing its politics as satire across the spectrum rather than a directive.
• The story follows a former revolutionary raising his daughter under an alias as extremist forces pursue him, with a reported budget around $130 million and some reviewers questioning the bite of its social critique.