Charles Salom | Staff Writer
The writer/director in Hollywood is considered the gold standard in auteur filmmaking, and few have been as revered and respected as Paul Thomas Anderson.
With the release of his 10th feature film, “One Battle After Another”. Now is the best time to examine Anderson’s work from the past thirty years to identify what makes a lasting impact and where he has fallen short (a rare occurrence).
10. Inherent Vice (2014)
Katherine Waterston and Joaquin Phoenix appear in a scene from “Inherent Vice”. (Courtesy of Warner Bros.)
Doc Sportello (Joaquin Phoenix) is a stoned-out-of-his-mind detective investigating the disappearance of his girlfriend (Katherine Waterston) and a prominent business mogul.
The idea of Anderson directing a detective film excites me, but the execution of “Inherent Vice” results in a jumbled mess where the characters are inaccessible and aloof.
“Inherent Vice” is only valuable as an aesthetic exercise, offering little to entertain or engage me with its characters or narrative.
9. Punch Drunk Love (2002)
Emily Watson and Adam Sandler from “Punch-Drunk Love”. (Courtesy of Columbia Pictures)
Barry Egen (Adam Sandler) struggles with his social anxiety and love life until Lena Leonard (Emily Watson) enters his life.
Here, Anderson tackles the theme of love and acceptance unlike any other rom-com. Every choice from the writing to the score is made to induce the same anxiety Egen feels in his day-to-day life.
As an exercise of empathy, “Punch Drunk Love” soars, but its anxiety-inducing elements make it difficult for me to rewatch.
8. Licorice Pizza (2021)
Alana Haim and Cooper Hoffman appear in a promotional image for “Licorice Pizza”. (Courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures)
In 1970s California, teenage hustler Gary Valentine (Cooper Hoffman) strikes up a complicated romance with 25-year-old Alana Kain (Alana Haim).
For many viewers, it’s a strange pairing, but Alana Kain’s desperation to escape the valley shapes her decisions.
It’s not Anderson’s most thematically rich film, but as a nostalgic exercise for 70s California, it’s effective at transporting you into the time period. I just don’t care enough about these characters to rank the film any higher.
7. Hard Eight (1996)
John C. Reilly and Philip Baker Hall appear in a scene from “Hard Eight”. (Courtesy of Rysher Entertainment)
Sydney (Phillip Baker Hall), a seasoned gambler who takes a struggling man named John (John C Reilly) under his wing and teaches him the ropes of the gambling underworld.
As a Scorsese-like crime thriller, “Hard Eight” features all the elements one would expect from this genre: layered characters who all seem to be hiding secrets. Phillip Baker Hall delivers a masterful performance in depicting a character with something to hide.
Once we uncover Sydney’s true motivations, it reveals Anderson’s real interest, which has nothing to do with crime and everything to do with family.
6. The Master (2012)
Joaquin Phoenix appears in a scene from “The Master”. (Courtesy of Annapurna Pictures)
Lancaster Dodd (Phillip Seymour Hoffman), a cult leader in the 1950s, takes in an alcoholic soldier, Freddy (Joaquin Phoenix), and attempts to guide him down a path of alignment.
“The Master” is Anderson’s most difficult work to access, as its themes are evident, but it does not follow a conventional narrative structure. The relationship between our protagonists is especially intriguing, as Anderson reveals the layers between the Cult Leader in Dodd and the devotee in Freddy.
Dodd draws inspiration from the Church of Scientology and its founder, L. Ron Hubbard. However, Anderson is less focused on criticizing cults and more on exploring the broken individuals who join and run them.
5. One Battle After Another (2025)
Leonardo DiCaprio appears in a scene from “One Battle After Another”. (Courtesy of Warner Bros.)
Former revolutionary Bob Ferguson (Leonardo DiCaprio) must rescue his daughter, Willa Ferguson (Chase Infiniti), from fascist militant Steven J. Lockjaw (Sean Penn).
A satirical exploration of our modern political climate, which at its core is a touching father-daughter story. “One Battle After Another” highlights the emotional depth present in nearly all of Anderson’s works and introduces action set pieces, which had been unfamiliar to Anderson before this film.
Its grand scale, chaotic pacing and comedic elements all come together in a beautiful culmination with the optimistic message that the next generation can bring about change.
4. Magnolia (1999)
Tom Cruise appears in a scene from “Magnolia” (Courtesy of New Line Cinema)
An ensemble of characters, including a cop (John C. Reilly), a nurse (Philip Seymour Hoffman), an addict (Melora Walters), a dating coach (Tom Cruise), and a game show host (Phillip Baker Hall), try to navigate the relationships in their life.
The film has an unconventional style, as it jumps from one character to another. At first, when you drop into this world, it can be jarring to keep up, but you quickly learn how the threads of this narrative weave together.
The Dating Coach, Frank TJ Mackey (Tom Cruise), is the standout as his misogynistic bravado is revealed to be just the defense mechanism created by a scarred little boy.
At its core, “Magnolia” is a heartfelt film exploring our connections with our parents and how they shape the individuals we become.
3. Phantom Thread (2017)
Daniel Day-Lewis and Vicky Kreips appear in a scene from “Phantom Thread” (Courtesy of Focus Features)
Expert dressmaker Reynolds Woodcock (Daniel Day-Lewis) is forced to manage his obsession with his craft and his romantic relationship with his muse, Alma (Vicky Kreips).
“Phantom Thread” features some of the most beautiful cinematography among PTA’s films, set in 1950s London and focused on the protagonist’s obsession with dressmaking; the result is striking visuals throughout. Anderson’s use of natural window lighting creates an ethereal atmosphere in many shots.
Lewis once again dazzles with a stunning performance that perfectly captures his character’s obsessive nature, with the battle between him and Alma coming down to her simply wanting to be loved.
At first, “Phantom Thread’s” ending may seem twisted, but most relationships are. Like a Reynolds Woodcock dress, the film has no flaws.
2. There Will be Blood (2007)
Daniel Day-Lewis appears in a scene from “There Will Be Blood” (Courtesy of Paramount)
Daniel Planview (Daniel Day-Lewis) is a bleeding heart capitalist who stops at nothing to gain money, power and control of the California Oil Fields.
“There Will Be Blood” is where Anderson evolved as a filmmaker, moving from the ensemble piece to deep character studies of powerful men.
The performance by Day-Lewis, which earned him the Academy Award for best actor, is magnetic, forcing you to hang on to every word.
Opposite to him is the strictly religious pastor, Eli Sunday (Paul Dano). If Planview represents the pinnacle of capitalist greed, Dano represents the hypocrisy of religious leaders.
Mix this rivalry with gorgeous visuals of oilfields, and you have an unforgettable display of a filmmaker reaching new heights.
1. Boogie Nights (1997)
The Cast of “Boogie Nights” appears in a promotional photo (Courtesy of New Line Cinema)
Mid-1970s California in the San Fernando Valley is a hotspot for adult films. Prominent Director Jack Horner (Burt Reynolds) recruits Eddie Adams (Mark Wahlberg) to be his new star.
This is a story about broken people who try to fill the void within by becoming successful porn stars, only to realize that this pursuit is as hollow as they are inside.
The film opens like a shot of adrenaline as we tour a nightclub, introducing the eccentric ensemble in an uninterrupted long take. This style would become a hallmark of Anderson’s films, with “Boogie Nights” being the first to showcase the technique.
Boogie Nights is Anderson’s most fun film, but it is also not afraid to take the dark turns in this Icarus-like story. Funny and haunting is a rare combination, but all the best of Anderson is in Boogie Nights.
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