Audiences are raving about Paul Thomas Anderson’s riveting new film One Battle After Another. Already dubbed the movie of the decade, it showcases standout performances from a range of Black female talent. Chase Infiniti makes her on-screen debut. Regina Hall delivers an understated and emotive turn. And Teyana Taylor captivates with every second she appears on screen. Much of the conversation has centered on the complexity of Taylor’s character. But the film also exposes a deeper truth about Black women and postpartum.
Teyana Taylor as Perfidia Beverly Hills
Teyana Taylor plays Perfidia Beverly Hills, a deeply layered Black woman. As a member of the revolutionary group The French 75, she lives a life steeped in brash irresponsibility. Passion and fire drive her, and she fixates on radical societal change with little regard for the violence it might take. She is fearless, unforgettable, and a force to be reckoned with.
Her story shifts sharply when she becomes pregnant by fellow French 75 member Pat Calhoun, played by Leonardo DiCaprio. Even while carrying their child, she refuses to slow down. She clings to the chaos she loves, ignoring the demands of nesting or preparing for motherhood. After their daughter is born, a painful disconnect emerges. While Pat immerses himself in fatherhood, Perfidia feels unwanted and unseen. Motherhood forces her to abandon the revolution, and she experiences that shift as the death of her true spirit. She begins to resent both her child and the family life she feels trapped in. Her turmoil spirals into a series of choices that ultimately lead her to abandon her family.
Black Women and Postpartum Depression
Perfidia’s battle with postpartum depression and the weight of motherhood speak volumes. Her identity once revolved around being independent, spontaneous, and impulsive. Motherhood didn’t align with who she believed herself to be, and she couldn’t reconcile that clash. No one gave her tools to navigate the postpartum crisis she struggled to survive. That lack of support reflects a reality many Black women face.
A recent study focusing on Black women in the South found that more than 40 percent experience postpartum depression. Yet Black women receive treatment at significantly lower rates than white women. Healthcare providers screen them less often for mood disorders after childbirth. That lack of screening represents a systemic failure—one that can alter the trajectory of both mother and child. Without treatment, postpartum depression can drag on. It makes it harder to bond with the baby, increases the risk of developmental delays, and creates long-term challenges for maternal health. Perfidia’s struggle mirrors the broader reality for countless Black women, and it’s a truth that demands attention.
A Raw Look at Postpartum Struggles
One Battle After Another deserves credit for the way it tells Perfidia Beverly Hills’ story with tenderness. The film never asks the audience to judge her. Instead, it offers a raw and immersive look at a new mother trying to recognize herself after giving birth while enduring a hormonal crisis. Without explicitly naming postpartum depression, the film shows the struggles of Black mothers navigating mental health and identity. In doing so, it sparks an urgent conversation about society’s responsibility to care for Black mothers.
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