With six Academy Awards at the 2026 Oscars, One Battle After Another has firmly established itself as one of the year’s must-see films.
Paul Thomas Anderson, the acclaimed director behind Licorice Pizza and There Will Be Blood, delivers another ambitious film with One Battle After Another, a dark comedy action-thriller which took home Best Picture at the 2026 Oscars. Loosely based on Thomas Pynchon’s 1990 novel Vineland, the story follows “Ghetto” Pat Calhoun (Leonardo DiCaprio,) a washed-up former revolutionary whose daughter is suddenly kidnapped, forcing him back into a life he thought he had left behind. With the help of the revolutionary group “French 75,” he embarks on a dangerous mission to find her.
As Pat confronts old enemies, he is drawn into a familiar world of political tension, racism, and military violence. The film also features Sean Penn and Benicio Del Toro, blending absurd humor with sharp political commentary, an approach which has resonated strongly with critics. While the setting and time period remain deliberately vague, the film’s imagery suggests locations such as California and El Paso, Texas. Stay tuned to discover more about the making of this compelling film.
Otay Mesa Immigration Detention Center, San Diego
Photo by @sightsoundmagazineThe opening sequence of One Battle After Another was filmed at the Otay Mesa Immigration Detention Center, set in the foothills near the U.S. – Mexico border with Tijuana. Here, the French 75 attempt to free undocumented immigrants from the facility, as Perfidia (Teyana Taylor) confronts commanding officer Steven J. Lockjaw (Sean Penn.)
Since opening in 2015, the center has become a focal point for immigration detention in the region, lending the film a stark contrast to the sun-soaked California often portrayed on screen. Its presence underscores the harsher realities that exist alongside the area’s rugged natural beauty.
Sacramento County Courthouse, Sacramento
Photo by @ganhwSacramento’s austere architecture made it an ideal backdrop for some of the film’s most explosive sequences, including a bank robbery and several high-speed car chases. Many challenges emerged while filming in the dense urban centre of Sacramento, whose run-and-gun energy ultimately shaped the film’s restless atmosphere.
Cars ripping down alleyways and police helicopters circling everywhere all transformed downtown into a stage for controlled chaos, with Gordon D. Schaber Sacramento County Courthouse being one of the central settings. This mid-century modern government building favors function over ornament, reflecting an era when efficiency was prioritized over visual flourish. Nearby, landmarks such as the California State Capitol and Capitol Park offer a striking contrast, their neoclassical elegance more in line with traditional expectations of beauty.
Bank of Stockton, Stockton
Photo by @britishcinemaphotographerThe bank robbery interior scene was filmed at the Bank of Stockton’s newer headquarters, remodeled in 1960 to update elements of the original 1908 design. While the grand scale and classical structure remain intact, many details reflect mid-century modernization.
The Westgate Hotel, San Diego
Photo by @karinapalmerIn the heart of downtown San Diego, just steps from the Gaslamp Quarter, The Westgate Hotel glows with its elegant French-inspired elegance. Its grand rooms are adorned with European furnishings, while the property boasts the city’s largest rooftop pool and a four-story wellness center. Here, Lockjaw is invited to join the Christmas Adventures Club.
San Diego’s bright, crystalline light feels especially delightful here, filtering softly across fine linens and gilded details. The hotel places guests within easy reach of the city’s best offerings, from its thriving arts scene to vibrant nightlife and beach days, creating a wonderful base for memorable California escapes.
Sequoia Park, Eureka
Photo by @thefilmstageYou might wonder where the iconic scene of Dicaprio’s character racing through the woods and escaping via an underground tunnel was filmed, and it takes place in Sequoia Park, in the coastal city of Eureka. This 60-acre facility unfolds through a collection of scenic trails, open meadows, a duck pond, and gentle creeks.
An essential stop for visitors to the area, the park showcases Northern California’s landscape at its most captivating, where ancient trees soar to the sky and nature reveals itself in quiet, immersive detail.
