Editor’s note: This article contains spoilers for the film.
“One Battle After Another” brings cinematic intensity to El Paso, Texas, grounding its immigration-centered narrative in real locations. From streetcars to historic neighborhoods, the film uses dramatic scenes to capture the city’s character.
Leonardo DiCaprio and Benicio del Toro were first spotted in El Paso during the summer of 2024, filming what was then a mysterious, unnamed project known only as the “BC Project.”
The stars recently made comments about their love for El Paso during a recent interview.
“El Paso was great,” del Toro said. “We went to see the Chihuahuas play, and that Downtown just added a whole texture to the film…that Downtown El Paso is really prominent in the film, and it’s cool to see it.”
DiCaprio also noted how some scenes were filmed at stores in El Paso, with real people.”A shoutout to the storeowners that let us into their stores,” DiCaprio said. “We get to integrate ourselves… and work with people that have those jobs. It really shaped the course of the movie.”
Here’s a breakdown of the most striking El Paso moments:
Howard Sommerville aka Billie Goat’s journey through El Paso
After the film fast-forwards 16 years, the scene opens with Howard Sommerville, played by Paul Grimstad, navigating Downtown El Paso, boarding a historic El Paso Streetcar. The scene transitions to a tense moment inside a home in Sunset Heights, where Howard is speaking live on the radio. While he’s mid-broadcast, Avanti, played by Eric Schweig, sneaks up behind him and places a black bag over his head.
The scene then cuts to outside the house, which appears to be located on Mundy Drive. As they speed off in a white car, the Sunset Grocery Store flashes by in the background. In a gripping escape sequence that follows, the vehicle races through an underpass on Franklin Avenue, with the Union Depot train station visible behind it. The vehicle then continues down the border highway.
Riot on El Paso Street in Downtown
Set in the fictional town of Baktan Cross, the evening riot unfolds on El Paso Street in Downtown, where a character nicknamed “Eddie Van Halen” throws a Molotov cocktail. Military officials pull down the gate to a perfume shop that also serves as Sensei’s home, portrayed by del Toro. In the background, Continental Dry Goods, located at 210 S. El Paso St., is visible as the gate is removed. During Bob’s rooftop escape, the Wells Fargo building appears in a dramatic shot, with its American flag showcased in lights on the building.
Bob’s arrest and Sacred Heart rendezvous
After falling from a tree while scaling Downtown buildings, Bob Ferguson, played by DiCaprio, is arrested. The news reaches Sensei through a call from his skateboarding scouts, who had been assisting Bob. Upon hearing the update, Sensei asks if they still have his gun. When they confirm, he instructs them to meet him at Sacred Heart. The church is located on Oregon Street in Downtown.
Colonel Lockjaw’s view of El Paso skyline
In one of the final scenes, Col. Steven J. Lockjaw, played by Sean Penn, is accepted into the Christmas Adventure Club, or so he thinks. He sits in an office with sweeping views, likely filmed in the WestStar Tower. The camera showcases the Borderland, from Juárez to UTEP, as someone remarks, “Look at that view.” It marks Lockjaw’s end, as he is killed by gas released through a vent.
‘One Battle After Another’ Rotten Tomatoes
The film currently has a 96% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
‘One Battle After Another’ streaming release date
The film was released in theaters on Friday, Sept. 26, but a streaming release date has not yet been confirmed.
How long is ‘One Battle After Another’ movie?
The film runs 2 hours and 41 minutes.
El Paso Times reporter Natassia Paloma contributed to this report.
Aaron Bedoya is a manager and content strategist for the El Paso Times. He can be reached at abedoya@elpasotimes.com.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: ‘One Battle After Another’ filmed across El Paso’s streets, homes, Downtown buildings
Reporting by Aaron A. Bedoya, El Paso Times / El Paso Times
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