Leonardo DiCaprio Silences Critics With Yet Another Major Win

Leonardo DiCaprio just kicked off awards season the way he usually does: loudly. Time named him Entertainer of the Year off the back of his turn in Paul Thomas Anderson's new film 'One Battle After Another' — the one that looked like a big, pricey swing on paper and is now pulling raves, because of course it is with PTA.

"It was somewhat risky for the studio to take this on, and what they're banking on, I think, is the appeal of Paul's storytelling and the sort of fierce originality of his process."

DiCaprio's run: 14th Globe nod, nine for the movie

On top of the Time honor, DiCaprio just landed his 14th Golden Globes nomination. And the movie itself? It leads the Globes with nine nods, including Best Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy) and Best Director. DiCaprio plays a washed-up vigilante in the film, which is exactly the kind of role that lets him swagger and spiral at the same time.

• Best Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy): 'One Battle After Another'
• Best Female Actor in a Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy): Chase Infiniti
• Best Male Actor in a Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy): Leonardo DiCaprio
• Best Female Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture: Teyana Taylor
• Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture: Sean Penn
• Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture: Benicio del Toro
• Best Director: Paul Thomas Anderson
• Best Screenplay: Paul Thomas Anderson
• Best Original Score: Jonny Greenwood

So... Oscars?

DiCaprio picking up his fourth Golden Globe is very much in play. The way people are talking, an Oscar Best Actor nomination feels inevitable too. The more interesting storyline here, though, is PTA. For someone widely considered one of the best to do it, his Oscar shelf is shockingly empty. He has 11 nominations so far — across Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Original Screenplay — and that number is almost certainly going up when the 98th Academy Awards shortlist lands.

If he misses elsewhere, Best Adapted Screenplay looks like a very real path to a win. It would be a neat bit of symmetry if DiCaprio — who finally ended his own drought with 'The Revenant' — ends up fronting the movie that breaks PTA's streak too.

The studio push and what comes next

Warner Bros. is gearing up a major Oscar campaign for what is being positioned as PTA's first major mainstream release. Between that backing and the early-season momentum, 'One Battle After Another' is in a strong spot heading into the thick of awards voting.

'One Battle After Another' is available to rent/buy on Apple TV in the US.