What's Inside?
- Taylor Swift calls Paul Thomas Anderson’s 'One Battle After Another' “on a higher level” after watching it on 'The Tonight Show.'
- Anderson’s film crosses $100M globally with standout performances by Chase Infiniti, Teyana Taylor, and Leonardo DiCaprio.
- Despite Swift’s 'The Life of a Showgirl' leading the box office, she celebrates Anderson’s artistry with unfiltered admiration and grace.
Few things capture Hollywood’s attention like a crossover between two creative giants, and this week, pop icon Taylor Swift had the internet buzzing after publicly praising filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson’s latest triumph, One Battle After Another. Despite her own theatrical release The Life of a Showgirl, topping the box office over the weekend, Swift made it clear that Anderson’s cinematic achievement left her completely spellbound.
Taylor Swift Praises Paul Thomas Anderson’s “Higher Level” Filmmaking
During her appearance on The Tonight Show on October 6, Taylor Swift couldn’t hide her enthusiasm when asked about the last movie she watched. Without hesitation, she declared, “Oh, One Battle After Another. My god, my god. Chase Infiniti, Teyana Taylor. How are they gonna split the Oscar in half? We will see.” Her excitement was palpable, genuine admiration pouring through every word.
The Life of a Showgirl artist, whose own project was simultaneously dominating the global charts and theaters, went on to call Anderson’s work transcendent. “We are so lucky to be alive at the same time as Paul Thomas Anderson,” Swift said passionately.
“It’s crazy that he is just out there doing that. He’s writing it, he’s directing it, he’s existing on this higher level that we get to watch.”
Swift also highlighted the film’s impeccable score by Jonny Greenwood, saying, “The fact that when you hear that theme each time, it makes you feel something different every single time.”
One Battle After Another has been hailed as one of Anderson’s most ambitious projects to date. The movie is a gripping emotional odyssey featuring Chase Infiniti and Teyana Taylor in powerhouse performances, alongside veterans Leonardo DiCaprio and Benicio del Toro. Critics have praised DiCaprio’s portrayal of Bob, a father navigating chaos and self-discovery in search of his daughter Willa. His collaboration with Anderson marks a long-awaited creative union.
Box Office Showdown: The Life of a Showgirl Tops While One Battle After Another Holds Strong
Interestingly, Swift’s heartfelt endorsement came just as One Battle After Another continued to hold its ground internationally despite facing stiff competition from The Life of a Showgirl. Anderson’s film experienced only a modest 22% drop in its second weekend, adding $21.7 million from 77 overseas markets and pushing its global total past $100 million (per Deadline). The movie remained the number-one title across major regions, including Europe and Latin America, proving its staying power among discerning moviegoers.
Meanwhile, Swift’s theatrical event The Life of a Showgirl earned an impressive $13 million across 54 markets. The pop star’s ability to draw massive crowds— both in concert and on screen— demonstrates her continued dominance across mediums. Yet her decision to publicly elevate Anderson’s film rather than compete with it highlights a rare blend of artistic respect and humility in modern entertainment.
The Life of a Showgirl and One Battle After Another are now showing in theaters.
