- Leonardo DiCaprio’s dramatic roof fall in One Battle After Another was filmed to feel like a single continuous take.
- Paul Thomas Anderson’s team combined practical stunts, a stunt double, a descender rig and subtle VFX to pull it off.
- The idea came from a location scout in El Paso; DiCaprio helped refine the performance during rehearsals.
- Editors and on-set dailies were integral to planning how separate elements would be stitched together in post.
How a single-shot fall was born
Midway through Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another, Bob (Leonardo DiCaprio) flees across rooftops and falls through a skinny tree in a sequence that plays as a single continuous shot. The moment — deceptively simple on screen — was an elaborate collaboration between location scouts, the stunt team, cinematography and post-production.
Location scouting and the inspiration
The sequence originated during a location scout in El Paso. Anderson spotted a narrow tree in an alley that offered the exact look and spatial constraints he wanted. Production designer Florencia Martin said the team stitched multiple practical elements together to build tension leading to Bob’s fall and subsequent tasing.
Planning the stunt: rehearsals and ideas on set
Stunt coordinator Brian Machleit described the process as iterative. After testing and rehearsals, the crew discussed options with DiCaprio. Initially the plan had the character holding on as a branch broke, but DiCaprio suggested simply falling through the tree — a change the team embraced because it improved the scene’s tone and pacing.
Shooting practically, then stitching
Cinematographer Michael Bauman and the team prioritized capturing as much practically as possible. The fall was performed by DiCaprio’s stunt double, Levi Gilbert, using a descender rig attached to a crane. That rig allowed a fast drop with controlled slowdown; in some takes they stopped the fall just feet off the ground. DiCaprio also performed elements of the sequence with protective pads.
Editing and subtle VFX
Editor Andy Jurgensen was on set to ensure the team recorded the pieces needed to stitch the shots together. In the cutting room, the crew combined DiCaprio’s moves with Gilbert’s stunt performance, erased the double where necessary and blended the footage. Visual effects were used sparingly — adding passing cop cars in the background and the Taser arcs — to preserve the practical feel while polishing continuity.
Audience reaction and release
The filmmakers didn’t know if the moment would land until test screenings. The sequence got audible reactions, confirming the team had achieved the intended jolt. One Battle After Another is now available on UHD 4K, Blu-ray and VOD, and the fall remains a highlight for its mix of improvisation, careful planning and practical craft.
Credits: Director Paul Thomas Anderson; production designer Florencia Martin; stunt coordinator Brian Machleit; cinematographer Michael Bauman; editor Andy Jurgensen; stunt double Levi Gilbert.
Image Referance: https://www.goldderby.com/film/2026/one-battle-after-another-roof-fall-scene/