Paul Thomas Anderson’s latest cinematic offering, One Battle After Another, might appear to be a raw, explosive political thriller at first glance. Yet, nestled within its brilliant chaos is one of the most remarkably grounded and unexpected details of his career: a convent of cannabis-cultivating rebel nuns. Known as the Sisters of the Brave Beaver, these women establish a sanctuary within an abandoned mission in the California hills, growing marijuana and providing refuge to rebels evading the authorities.
(Image: A split image showing behind-the-scenes of the Sisters of the Brave Beaver convent and the real-life Sisters of the Valley in Merced, California.)
In One Battle After Another, the Brave Beaver nuns offer temporary shelter to Willa (played by Chase Infiniti), the daughter of Leonardo DiCaprio’s weary, former revolutionary character, Bob/Ghetto Pat. Unlike many of the film’s more fantastical elements, these nuns possess a striking sense of reality.
(Image: Chase Infiniti’s Willa seen firing an assault rifle at the Sisters of the Brave Beaver convent in a scene from the film, courtesy of Warner Bros.)
It turns out, Anderson’s compelling fictional convent drew direct inspiration from the actual Sisters of the Valley. This group, based in Merced, California, refers to themselves as “weed nuns,” though they hold no official religious affiliation. They embrace traditional habits, meticulously align their cannabis production with lunar cycles, and frame their work with spiritual language. Their profound mission, as they articulate it, is to bring healing to the world through plant-based medicine.
Following the film’s release, the real Sisters of the Valley shared a heartfelt message on Instagram, expressing their honor and gratitude: “Deeply honored and grateful to have been invited to be part of this masterpiece — defining film of our time. We couldn’t be prouder of its message, its legacy, and all that it represents.”
According to production designer Florencia Martin, the Merced collective provided crucial insights for Anderson and his team in creating the Brave Beaver compound. Martin revealed that while not explicitly visible in the film, the convent was envisioned with a substantial marijuana cultivation area. The Sisters’ real-world operation offered a blueprint for how such a community could function, not as a secluded monastic order, but as a self-sufficient, countercultural cooperative.
The convent scenes were brought to life at La Purisima Mission in Lompoc. Filmmakers meticulously searched the Camino Real trail for a location that felt authentically aged and isolated. Martin noted that most of California’s historic missions are impeccably restored, making La Purisima’s raw, stripped-down aesthetic perfect for a setting where women could realistically establish both a refuge and a business.
The Sisters of the Valley have built a multi-million-dollar enterprise on CBD oils, tinctures, and salves. Founded by Christine Meeusen in 2014, their collective blends New Age spiritualism, environmental advocacy, and biodynamic farming practices. They adhere to lunar cycles for planting, maintain a vegetarian diet during production, and even bottle their products under the full moon. While they call each other “sisters,” they expressly disavow any Christian ties. Their unique approach once led Business Insider to label them “the most talked-about women in the pot business,” a reputation that continues to thrive.
Despite cannabis being legal for both medical and recreational use in California, the legal framework across the United States remains inconsistent, with federal law still classifying it as an illegal substance. This complex legal environment positions groups like the Sisters of the Valley in an unusual light. They openly cultivate cannabis but primarily focus on hemp-derived CBD products, which are federally permitted if they contain less than 0.3% THC (the psychoactive compound). This allows the Merced collective to operate within legal boundaries while still embracing the broader symbolism of cannabis culture.
For Paul Thomas Anderson, weaving narratives into authentic subcultures is a signature move. His films, from Inherent Vice to Licorice Pizza, frequently explore themes of cannabis culture, and he has been a vocal advocate for reducing its stigma. In One Battle After Another, this theme is vividly personified by DiCaprio’s character, perpetually clad in a plaid bathrobe and enveloped in a haze of smoke, embodying a “stoner dad” whose fading revolutionary ideals still glimmer with every joint he sparks throughout the film.
One Battle After Another is currently playing in theaters.