Key Takeaways

• Film Themes: Paul Thomas Anderson’s films explore dysfunctional relationships and the struggles of artists.
• Awards Recognition: His latest film, One Battle After Another, has received 13 nominations for the 2026 Oscars.
• Personal Life: Maya Rudolph, his partner, has been a supportive presence during the awards season.
• Celebrity Status: Anderson expressed nervousness about being labeled as celebrity royalty in 2018.

Paul Thomas Anderson‘s movies are all about dysfunctional relationships, egomaniacal artists, fizzling dreams and people caught in predicaments requiring drastic measures to get out of.

So, no wonder home is a respite for the 55-year-old, whose latest film, One Battle After Another, is poised to have a big night at the 2026 Oscars March 15 at Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre, heading in hot with 13 nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director.

By Anderson’s side throughout awards season has been his longtime partner Maya Rudolph, in case you were wondering why they were kissing at the Golden Globes or anything like that.

Because while they’ve collaborated here and there, the Saturday Night Live alum stealing a few scenes in Anderson’s Inherent Vice and Licorice Pizza, they are the opposite of a Hollywood couple.

In fact, hearing they had been dubbed celebrity royalty in 2018 made Anderson, as he told the Los Angeles Times, “quite nervous.” Yet he had a big laugh at a paparazzi photo he was unaware had been taken when they were on their way to a doctor’s appointment, calling it “horrifying…but hilarious.”

“I remember seeing that,” he quipped, “thinking, ‘Wow. There’s no way we could look like that, is there?'”