HBO Max Is on a Roll: A New Leonardo DiCaprio Movie Just Landed
HBO Max is giving Leonardo DiCaprio’s One Battle After Another the deluxe treatment, rolling out a special version and multiple ways to watch—another win for the streamer’s best trend.
HBO Max is doing something I wish more streamers would make standard: it’s rolling out a dedicated ASL version of Leonardo DiCaprio’s new Paul Thomas Anderson film, One Battle After Another. It’s a small tweak with a big impact, and the service has been steadily building a track record here.
What HBO Max is adding
Warner Bros. says One Battle After Another is getting an American Sign Language option that will live exclusively on HBO Max. The on-screen interpretation is performed by Deaf ASL interpreter Otis Jones, with the ASL presentation directed by Giovanni Maucere — a specific, behind-the-scenes detail that matters because this work is its own craft, not just an overlay.
This follows the streamer’s recent streak of ASL-supported releases, including Sinners, A Minecraft Movie, Superman, Barbie, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, and It: Welcome to Derry. There’s also a trailer specifically showcasing the ASL version of One Battle After Another.
The movie, in case you missed it
Paul Thomas Anderson writes and directs, producing alongside Adam Somner and Sara Murphy. The film hit theaters in September and has been drawing serious praise. The setup: DiCaprio plays Bob Ferguson, a once-radical true believer who’s burned out and paranoid, living off-grid with his daughter Willa. When his old enemy — played by Sean Penn — pops back up after 16 years and Willa disappears, Bob is forced back into action, with both of them confronting the fallout from his past life. Yes, some of the character names are wild on purpose.
Cast
- Leonardo DiCaprio as Bob Ferguson
- Sean Penn as Colonel Steven J. Lockjaw
- Benicio del Toro as Sergio St. Carlos
- Regina Hall as Deandra
- Teyana Taylor as Perfidia Beverly Hills
- Chase Infiniti as Willa Ferguson
Buzz and awards
The response has been strong, with ComingSoon’s Jonathan Sim calling it:
"one of Anderson’s most 'urgent movies' and one that 'feels particularly timely in today’s political climate'."
It racked up nine Golden Globe nominations, including Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, Best Director, and acting nods for DiCaprio, Infiniti, del Toro, Penn, and Taylor. Expect it to be in the hunt for multiple Oscar nominations too.
Bottom line: HBO Max continuing to invest in fully realized ASL presentations — not just subtitles — is the right move, and One Battle After Another is a high-profile place to keep that momentum going.