Some search for battle, others are born into it...

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, Benicio del Toro, Regina Hall, Teyana Taylor, Chase Infiniti, Wood Harris, Alana Haim, Paul Grimstad, Shayna McHayle, Tony Goldwyn

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"Are you happy? Do you have love? What will you do when you get older? Will you try to change the world like I did? We failed, but maybe you will not. Maybe you will be the one who puts the world right." - Perfidia, in a letter to Willa

Why watch this? This is tension-building 101, with a satisfying conclusion.

Plot Summary: This intense American story follows a disillusioned former radical named Bob lives off-the-grid while raising his daughter, Willa. Their quiet, yet paranoid, life is upended when a sinister military nemesis from the past, Colonel Lockjaw, resurfaces to hunt them down. Bob is forced to reunite with his old revolutionary comrades and fight to protect his daughter from the consequences of his previous life.

Dad's Preview: I liken One Battle to watching a film about a mangy dog, dirty and unhealthy, yet determined to find his kidnapped pup. This is a story of fatherly love and devotion. It also takes several jabs at life in today's America, including immigration, the Call of Duty bro-thugs and devious secret societies, where rich men control the levers by manufacturing hate between common citizens over race and poverty. Director Anderson has coaxed a wonderful, Dude-like performance out of DiCaprio. Leo covers the spectrum: cool, frantic, comedic and irrational; his portrayal of Bob will be talked about a lot. Sean Penn also gives one of the best performances in his long career. And you can't dismiss the onscreen presence of the fierce Teyana Taylor.

Warner Bros., Ghouldardi Film Company; Warner Bros. Pictures