In this solo episode of The Fixate & Binge Podcast, host Joe Curdy dives headfirst into ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER — Paul Thomas Anderson’s most politically charged and urgent film to date. (And, on a personal note, Joe also pulls back the curtain to reveal two major reasons why he is usually very positive about rating films!)
Based on Thomas Pynchon’s 1990 novel Vineland, Anderson’s latest work unfolds as a sprawling and provocative look at revolution, authoritarianism, and the fight for human dignity in a fractured America. Through Joe’s lens, this episode explores how Anderson translates Pynchon’s chaos and satire into a modern reflection of the world today — where undocumented immigrants are hunted and forcibly deported by a draconian U.S. government under Donald J. Trump’s leadership.
With spoilers throughout, Joe shares his Letterboxd review and a deeply personal reflection on the film’s themes, visual style, and political relevance.
ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER isn’t just another PTA epic — it’s a call to look at the moral decay beneath the surface of American life, and a cinematic act of resistance against the “New American Order.”
Whether you’re a longtime Paul Thomas Anderson devotee or simply curious how cinema can mirror our modern political reality, this episode offers a raw, unfiltered deep dive into a film that’s bound to spark conversation.
⚠️ Spoiler Disclaimer:
This episode contains major spoilers for ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER. If you haven’t seen the film yet, you may want to watch it first before listening.
Thank you for listening! You can find and follow us with the links below!
Read our Letterboxd reviews at:
https://letterboxd.com/fixateandbinge/
Follow us on Instagram at:
https://www.instagram.com/fixateandbingepodcast/?hl=ms
Follow us on TikTok at:
https://www.tiktok.com/@fixateandbingepodcast
Popular Podcasts
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Are You A Charlotte?
In 1997, actress Kristin Davis’ life was forever changed when she took on the role of Charlotte York in Sex and the City. As we watched Carrie, Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte navigate relationships in NYC, the show helped push once unacceptable conversation topics out of the shadows and altered the narrative around women and sex. We all saw ourselves in them as they searched for fulfillment in life, sex and friendships. Now, Kristin Davis wants to connect with you, the fans, and share untold stories and all the behind the scenes. Together, with Kristin and special guests, what will begin with Sex and the City will evolve into talks about themes that are still so relevant today. "Are you a Charlotte?" is much more than just rewatching this beloved show, it brings the past and the present together as we talk with heart, humor and of course some optimism.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.