Benicio del Toro has returned to the Academy Awards spotlight 25 years after his first win for Traffic, earning a nomination this year for his portrayal of Sergio St Carlos, a karate dojo owner who becomes a protector of immigrants, in One Battle After Another. This role, deeply connected to his own values, places him once again among the leading contenders at the Oscars ceremony on March 15 in Los Angeles.
A Quiet Force in a Politically Charged Story
In Paul Thomas Anderson’s intense thriller, which explores themes of leftist revolutionaries, white supremacists, and immigration crackdowns, del Toro’s character Sensei Sergio provides a steady, calm presence amid the turmoil. Though his screen time is under 15 minutes, his performance resonates powerfully, especially in scenes opposite Leonardo DiCaprio’s Bob Ferguson, a former militant searching for his missing daughter as his past resurfaces.
Unexpected Recognition for a Brief but Impactful Role
The 59-year-old Puerto Rican actor admitted to being surprised by the positive reaction to his performance.
“It feels good, and it also can make you a little bit uncomfortable too,”
del Toro explained during a Zoom interview, adding proudly, “I’m proud of it.” Despite the limited duration of his appearance, his portrayal seems to offer a glimmer of hope in an otherwise dark narrative.
Balancing Ensemble Roles in a Major Oscar Contender
One Battle After Another, recognized with 13 Academy Award nominations, is favored to win best picture. Del Toro acknowledged that his co-stars, including Sean Penn, Stellan Skarsgard, Jacob Elordi, and Delroy Lindo, play the leading roles.
“I did enjoy the film, and I felt that the film did have a lot of potential,”
he noted, recognizing the ensemble nature of the story where his part serves more as a supporting role.
A Character Bringing Hope Amid Darkness
Reflecting on Sensei Sergio, del Toro offered insight into the character’s significance beyond the surface.
“Perhaps there’s something in a movie that is so dark… since it brings a little bit of a sense of hope,”
he said, though he confessed he hadn’t originally seen the character in that light. His portrayal adds a layer of humanity and optimism in a film dealing with harsh realities of immigration and societal conflict.
