Benicio del Toro Eyes Second Oscar Nod for ‘One Battle After Another’
Benicio del Toro is generating significant Oscar buzz for his performance in Paul Thomas Anderson’s latest film, “One Battle After Another.” The actor, who previously won an Academy Award for his role in “Traffic,” is being lauded for his function alongside Leonardo DiCaprio and Sean Penn in the critically acclaimed movie.
“I saw parts of it. It’s PTA at his best and with two of my favorite actors. I’m a fan,” del Toro told IndieWire at the Recent York City premiere on May 28. He described DiCaprio and Penn as “fantastic” in the film, calling it “a fun ride.”
“One Battle After Another,” a black comedy action-thriller, features DiCaprio as a civil rights activist confronting a white supremacist organization. The ensemble cast also includes Regina Hall, Teyana Taylor and Chase Infiniti in her film debut. The film is inspired by Thomas Pynchon’s 1990 novel, *Vineland*.
Paul Thomas Anderson recently honored del Toro, DiCaprio, and Penn with awards at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, marking the end of the film’s press run. The director called them his “proper f**king movie stars,” according to IndieWire.
“One Battle After Another” premiered at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles on September 8, 2025, and was released nationwide on September 26, 2025. With a budget of $130–175 million, it represents Anderson’s most expensive film to date. The film has already grossed over $209 million worldwide.
Del Toro is also set to appear in Wes Anderson’s “The Phoenician Scheme,” continuing a collaborative relationship with some of the industry’s most celebrated directors. The actor previously worked with Anderson on the 2021 film “The French Dispatch.” This latest performance is fueling speculation that del Toro could secure his second Oscar nomination – and potentially win – after a 25-year gap since his first win.
