National Board of Review Crowns One Battle After Another Best Film

Paul Thomas Anderson is having a week. His darkly funny crime caper 'One Battle After Another' has been the rare across-the-board hit — critics, regular moviegoers, people who actually make movies — and now the hardware is piling up. The National Board of Review weighed in on Wednesday and basically handed the film a small trophy shop.

So, what did NBR give 'One Battle After Another'?

The short version: a lot. PTA took director, Leo took actor, Benicio took supporting, and newcomer Chase Infiniti got a breakout nod. The film itself won the top prize. Rose Byrne also popped up elsewhere with a very memorable movie title, and Ryan Coogler's 'Sinners' kept showing up too. Here is the full NBR rundown:

• Best Film: 'One Battle After Another'
• Best Director: Paul Thomas Anderson, 'One Battle After Another'
• Best Actor: Leonardo DiCaprio, 'One Battle After Another'
• Best Actress: Rose Byrne, 'If I Had Legs I'd Kick You'
• Best Supporting Actor: Benicio Del Toro, 'One Battle After Another'
• Best Supporting Actress: Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, 'Sentimental Value'
• Best Directorial Debut: Eva Victor, 'Sorry, Baby'
• Breakthrough Performance: Chase Infiniti, 'One Battle After Another'
• Best Original Screenplay: Ryan Coogler, 'Sinners'
• Best Adapted Screenplay: Clint Bentley and Greg Kwedar, 'Train Dreams'
• Best Animated Feature: 'Arco'
• Best International Film: 'It Was Just an Accident'
• Best Documentary: 'Cover-Up'
• Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography: Autumn Durald Arkapaw, 'Sinners'
• Outstanding Achievement in Stunt Artistry: 'Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning'
• NBR Freedom of Expression Award: 'Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk'

How that lines up with the critics groups

This is not a one-off. 'One Battle After Another' already took the top prize at both the Gothams and the New York Film Critics Circle. The NYFCC spread love around elsewhere: Josh Safdie won screenplay for 'Marty Supreme', 'KPop Demon Hunters' grabbed animated film, 'Sinners' won cinematography, Kleber Mendonca Filho's 'The Secret Agent' was named international film, and Wagner Moura took best actor. If you are sensing a pattern — Anderson's film on a glide path, 'Sinners' lurking in multiple craft categories — you are not wrong.

NBR's curated lists (yes, there are many)

Top 10 Films (alphabetical): 'Avatar: Fire and Ash', 'F1', 'Frankenstein', 'Jay Kelly', 'Marty Supreme', 'Rental Family', 'Sinners', 'Train Dreams', 'Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery', 'Wicked: For Good'. A mix of franchises, festival bait, and a certain Benoit Blanc title that was always going to show up.

Top 5 International Films (alphabetical): 'Left-Handed Girl', 'The Love That Remains', 'The Secret Agent', 'Sentimental Value', 'Sirat'.

Top 5 Documentaries (alphabetical): '2000 Meters to Andriivka', 'Come See Me in the Good Light', 'My Mom Jayne', 'Natchez', 'Orwell: 2+2=5'.

Top 10 Independent Films (alphabetical): 'The Baltimorons', 'Bring Her Back', 'Father Mother Sister Brother', 'Friendship', 'Good Boy', 'If I Had Legs I'd Kick You', 'The Mastermind', 'Rebuilding', 'Sorry, Baby', 'Urchin'. If your watchlist was under control, it is not anymore.

The read

If early season tea leaves matter to you, 'One Battle After Another' is leading the dance with wins from the Gothams, NYFCC, and now a multi-category sweep at NBR. 'Sinners' is clearly a force in writing and below-the-line craft, and a handful of titles — from 'Marty Supreme' to 'Train Dreams' — are starting to feel sticky across ballots. File this under: momentum is real, and PTA has it.