One Battle After Another, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, has immediately reached huge acclaim thanks to its heart-racing storyline and explosive imagery. Despite the nearly three-hour film’s romantic realism, it features exhilarating car chases and spectacular shootouts. Audiences and critics alike are singing its praises! Aside from its technical artistry and global praise, the film has prompted another wildly surprising occurrence—enormous lines for men’s bathrooms at screenings.
The audience demographic for “One Battle After Another” is overwhelmingly male, due to Anderson’s audience — often referred to as “pretty bro-y”— being the most symmetrical wall. This male-dominated audience has taken to social media to share their experiences of unusually long lines at men’s restrooms, particularly during the film’s extended runtime.
In one unforgettable musical number, a cadre of cloistered nuns come into focus. Asking such a question, though, elicits at least one joking Reddit comment that it’s time for a new bathroom break. They advised fellow viewers, “There is a section when a bunch of nuns appear … You can run out for a few minutes.” It’s a fact that fans have made into one of their favorite running jokes. This has led to increased conversations around restroom accessibility during the film’s screenings.
Even as conversations have shifted online, small groups of audience members have comically showcased their growing discomfort. As one lady commented on social media, the lack of women was like a bad flashback to hockey games she went to. She commented on the lack of restrooms, seeing a marked contrast. She liked that she could “go right through” the line of people waiting for the men’s room.
“Have you considered One Pee Bottle After Another?” – Reddit contributors
This lighthearted commentary reflects the camaraderie among fans navigating the challenges posed by the film’s popularity. The queues feel like the energy of an Oasis concert. The reality is that communities frequently experience years of waiting for basic necessities as a result of that enthusiasm.
In addition to its unexpected restroom-related discussions, “One Battle After Another” has received accolades for its exhilarating pacing and unique storytelling style. Reviewers have called it “thrillingly helter-skelter” and a “counter-culture caper,” cementing its place in contemporary cinematic discourse.
You can check out the film’s trailer on YouTube. It provides the first glimpse to future customers at some of the exciting almost-three-hour journey that lies ahead of them once they defeat the lineups!