Jonny Greenwood, known for composing scores that elevate Paul Thomas Anderson’s films, has released the soundtrack for the new action comedy One Battle After Another. Digital release is available as of September 26, 2025, through Nonesuch, with CD and vinyl editions scheduled for November 14. This new Paul Thomas Anderson soundtrack includes eighteen original pieces performed by the London Contemporary Orchestra, conducted by Hugh Brunt, featuring Greenwood himself on piano, guitar, bass, percussion, and ondes Martenot.
The Film’s Plot and Star-Studded Cast
One Battle After Another, released worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures on September 26, 2025, stars award-winning actors Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, Benicio Del Toro, along with Regina Hall, Teyana Taylor, and Chase Infiniti. The story follows Bob (DiCaprio), a former revolutionary living off the grid in paranoid isolation, raising his strong-willed daughter, Willa (Infiniti). The narrative intensifies when Bob’s longtime adversary (Penn) returns and Willa disappears, forcing Bob to confront his past while searching for his daughter.
Paul Thomas Anderson’s Creative Team and Collaborators
Anderson, who wrote and directed the film, also serves as one of its producers alongside Oscar and BAFTA nominees Adam Somner and Sara Murphy, with Will Weiske as executive producer. The production brings together an experienced team including director of photography Michael Bauman, Oscar-nominated production designer Florencia Martin, editor Andy Jurgensen who has garnered BAFTA recognition, Oscar and BAFTA-winning costume designer Colleen Atwood, and casting director Cassandra Kulukundis, solidifying a roster of frequent collaborators contributing to the film’s distinct style.
Jonny Greenwood’s Continued Partnership with Paul Thomas Anderson
One Battle After Another marks Greenwood’s sixth soundtrack for a Paul Thomas Anderson movie released by Nonesuch. His earlier scores include those for Phantom Thread, Junun, Inherent Vice, The Master, and the acclaimed There Will Be Blood. Greenwood’s expansive discography also contains classical collaborations such as his partnership with Polish composer Krzysztof Penderecki for works like Threnody for the Victims of Hiroshima and others, as well as his score for Tran Anh Hung’s film Norwegian Wood. His performance repertoire includes Steve Reich’s Electric Counterpoint.
Critical Recognition of Anderson and Greenwood’s Artistic Chemistry
Paul Thomas Anderson fans are well accustomed to how instrumental Jonny Greenwood’s music is to the auteur’s body of work. Whether it’s the foreboding strings in There Will Be Blood or the discordant percussion in The Master, Greenwood’s original scores expertly capture Anderson’s tones.
—Indiewire
Jonny Greenwood’s Multifaceted Musical Background
Beyond his renowned role as lead guitarist and multi-instrumentalist with Radiohead, and more recently The Smile, Jonny Greenwood has built a substantial career that spans classical, film, and traditional music. The band Radiohead boasts impressive critical acclaim and multi-platinum sales, and The Smile is seen as ascending within the music world. Greenwood’s musical interests reach deep into classical realms, influenced notably by composers like Messiaen and Ligeti. His instrumental skills include piano, viola, recorder, harmonica, and the ondes Martenot.
Classical Compositions and Film Scoring Accomplishments
Greenwood’s classical output includes pieces such as smear, Popcorn Superhet Receiver, Doghouse, 48 Responses to Polymorphia, Water, and Horror vacui, which won the Ivors Composer Award for Large Scale Composition. Elements from Popcorn Superhet Receiver were adapted into the soundtrack for Anderson’s Oscar-winning There Will Be Blood. Greenwood’s film scoring career has earned him accolades including Best Film Score at the Evening Standard British Film Awards and Best Composer from the Broadcast Film Critics Association in 2007. His other notable works include scores for Norwegian Wood directed by Tran Anh Hung, We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lynne Ramsay, and films like The Master, Inherent Vice, Phantom Thread, and The Power of the Dog directed by Jane Campion.
Recent Projects and Cultural Explorations
In 2015, Greenwood collaborated again with Anderson on the album and film Junun, alongside Shye Ben Tzur and the Rajasthan Express, blending Indian musical influences. Greenwood’s most recent work, Jarak Qaribak (2023), explores traditional Arabic folk music, working with musicians from across the Middle East, illustrating his ongoing commitment to diverse musical traditions.
Impact and Outlook for the Paul Thomas Anderson Soundtrack
The release of the One Battle After Another soundtrack underscores Jonny Greenwood’s continued vital role in shaping the tone and atmosphere of Paul Thomas Anderson’s films. Their collaborative relationship has consistently produced scores that deeply complement Anderson’s storytelling, contributing significantly to the emotional intensity and narrative depth of these films. As audiences experience this latest installment, expectations remain high for Greenwood’s compositions to enhance the cinematic journey, while the film’s creative team’s expertise promises a powerful addition to contemporary cinema. The broader release of the soundtrack on physical formats later this year will further enable fans and collectors to engage with Greenwood’s evocative music in varied settings.
