Inspired by Thomas Pynchon’s 1990 novel Vineland, writer-director Paul Thomas Anderson (Boogie Nights, Punch-Drunk Love, There Will Be Blood, The Master) weaves this story about Bob (Leonardo DiCaprio), a former revolutionary now living a paranoid existence off the grid with his daughter, Willa (Chase Infiniti). When Bob’s old nemesis, Col. Steven J. Lockjaw (Sean Penn), resurfaces after 16 years and Willa goes missing, Bob springs into action to find her while facing the consequences of his past. (108 min.)
ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER
What’s it rated? R
What’s it worth, Anna? Full price
What’s it worth, Glen? Full price
Where’s it showing? Colony, Downtown Centre, Fair Oaks, Palm, Park, Stadium 10, Sunset Drive-In
Glen Penn is the real star of this show. He thoroughly embodies Steve Lockjaw, a military leader whose assignments always seem to be running immigration detention facilities. Penn sticks his jaw out and struts around like he’s got a steel rod shoved up his ass that’s fused to his spine. His performance is riveting. As the film opens, members of the revolutionary group French 75 are preparing to liberate his concentration camp and free his prisoners. That sets up the ongoing tension between Lockjaw, Bob, and Bob’s love interest and the mother of his future child, Perfidia Beverly Hills (Teyana Taylor), another French 75 revolutionary. Along the way, ultra right-wing nationalists get involved, and when Lockjaw shows up, Willa’s karate sensei, Sergio St. Carlos (Benicio del Toro), becomes instrumental to Bob’s mission to find Willa. It’s a helluva ride, with a wry sense of humor—very much a commentary on today’s America.
Anna Perfidia is a natural leader—resolute, constant, and steely. Bob is the guy to go to when something needs blowing up—softer but still a resolute revolutionary. When Perfidia becomes a mother, her focus doesn’t shift to her new life the same way that Bob’s does. Baby or no baby, Perfidia won’t stop or slow her participation in revolutionary acts the French 75 are inciting. The film’s first 30 minutes are frenetic dialogue and carefully crafted chaos, but when we pull back into the larger scope of the story, it all swirls back into a much more complicated madness at hand. You are spot on about Penn’s performance as Lockjaw; he was so lost in the role there were times that I questioned who I was watching onscreen. You have to be committed for this one at almost 2.75-hours, but Anderson does amazing work, and this is no exception. Poignant and relevant, it speaks to the atrocities we see happening all around at this very moment.
Glen It’s also a story about the families we choose. These revolutionaries believe in something greater than themselves … until they’re caught and trapped. Willa loves her dad, Bob, but also recognizes he’s broken. We all wish the world was right and just, but who’s willing to risk everything to change it? It’s a deeply complicated set of ideas Anderson is juggling, but that’s his M.O. as a filmmaker. He’s always ready to examine the complicated. He also embraces Pynchon’s sense of the absurd. Characters named Lockjaw, Junglepussy, and Sergio St. Carlos? A white nationalist organization called the Christmas Adventurers Club? It’s brilliant and ridiculous, and I loved it.
Anna I definitely felt some self-examination going on throughout. Where we land and what we say we stand for and what we are willing to do can feel worlds apart. That’s how the masses get pushed down and stay down. This film doesn’t sugar coat or come with a bright light. Instead, I think Anderson hopes to leave us with both some resolve but also maybe a state of lostness. History is happening, and complacency spells death for many, even if it isn’t you. All that said, I laughed so much. Anderson has a knack for getting the balance just right. See it! ∆
Arts Editor Glen Starkey and freelancer Anna Starkey write Split Screen. Comment at gstarkey@newtimesslo.com.
This article appears in Oct 2 – 12, 2025.