A Cinematic Masterpiece of Greed and Madness
There Will Be Blood (2007), directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, is a towering achievement in modern cinema, a brutal, sprawling epic that dissects the corrosive nature of greed, ambition, and the American Dream. Anchored by Daniel Day-Lewis’s volcanic performance as oilman Daniel Plainview, this adaptation of Upton Sinclair’s 1927 novel Oil! is both a character study and a haunting allegory for capitalism’s darker impulses. With its stunning visuals, haunting score, and unrelenting intensity, the film remains a modern classic, as resonant in 2025 as it was upon release. This review delves into its brilliance, imperfections, and enduring impact.
Plot and Premise
Set in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, There Will Be Blood follows Daniel Plainview (Daniel Day-Lewis), a ruthless prospector who transitions from silver mining to oil drilling. The story begins in 1898, with a near-wordless sequence of Plainview toiling alone in a dark shaft, his determination palpable despite a brutal injury. By 1902, he’s adopted H.W. (Dillon Freasier), the orphaned son of a worker, using the boy to project a “family man” image while swindling landowners. When Paul Sunday (Paul Dano) tips him off about oil-rich land in Little Boston, California, Plainview descends on the town, clashing with Paul’s twin brother, Eli (also Dano), a charismatic but manipulative preacher. Their rivalry—pitting capitalism against religion—fuels a slow-burning feud, culminating in a shocking, blood-soaked climax.
The narrative, loosely inspired by Sinclair’s novel, is less about plot twists than the psychological unraveling of Plainview, whose pursuit of wealth consumes his humanity. Anderson crafts a stark parable, with oil and blood as metaphors for the primal forces driving America’s industrial rise.
Performances
Daniel Day-Lewis delivers one of cinema’s greatest performances as Plainview, a monstrous yet magnetic figure. Modeled partly on John Huston’s voice and cadence, his portrayal is both theatrical and intimate, capturing a man who’s charming in public but seethes with misanthropy. His iconic “I drink your milkshake” monologue is chilling, but quieter moments—like his conflicted gaze at H.W.—reveal glimmers of humanity. Day-Lewis won a well-deserved Oscar, cementing Plainview as an unforgettable antihero.
Paul Dano holds his own as Eli Sunday, a sanctimonious evangelist whose zeal masks his own greed. The dual role of Paul and Eli (whether twins or a narrative sleight-of-hand) adds ambiguity, and Dano’s intensity in scenes like the baptism sequence matches Day-Lewis’s ferocity. Dillon Freasier, as young H.W., brings a silent gravitas, his bond with Plainview both tender and tragic. Supporting players, like Kevin J. O’Connor as Plainview’s dubious “brother” Henry, add depth, though the film’s focus remains on its central trio.
Direction and Writing
Paul Thomas Anderson, then only 37, solidified his status as a visionary with There Will Be Blood. Departing from the ensemble-driven Boogie Nights and Magnolia, he embraces a leaner, more focused narrative, letting Plainview’s descent dominate. The script, adapted by Anderson, distills Sinclair’s socialist critique into a character-driven tragedy. Dialogues are sparse but searingTimeless lines like “I’m an oilman!” are delivered with hypnotic conviction. Anderson’s direction, especially in the dialogue-free opening, evokes Kubrick’s 2001, setting a primal tone.
The film’s flaws are minor but notable. Its 158-minute runtime can feel relentless, and the absence of women or broader societal context narrows its scope. The final scene, while unforgettable, divides audiences—some see it as operatic genius, others as tonally jarring. As Roger Ebert noted, the film’s “reach exceeds its grasp,” but this ambition is part of its allure.
Technical Aspects
Robert Elswit’s Oscar-winning cinematography is breathtaking, transforming the desolate Texas landscape (also used in No Country for Old Men) into a character. Stark deserts and fiery oil geysers evoke a biblical hellscape, with light and shadow amplifying Plainview’s isolation. Jonny Greenwood’s dissonant score, blending atonal strings and classical pieces like Brahms, is revolutionary, its unsettling pulse mirroring Plainview’s psyche. Editing by Dylan Tichenor is deliberate, allowing tension to simmer, while Mark Bridges’ costumes and Jack Fisk’s production design immerse viewers in the era’s gritty reality.
Themes and Emotional Core
There Will Be Blood is a meditation on greed, power, and the cost of ambition. Plainview embodies unbridled capitalism, exploiting land and people without remorse. His rivalry with Eli critiques the entwined forces of commerce and religion, both corrupted by ego. The father-son dynamic with H.W. provides the film’s emotional anchor, revealing Plainview’s capacity for love, however warped. As the film’s “horrifying portrait of capitalism” feels prophetic, with Plainview’s archetype thriving in modern tycoons.
The film’s message, as Common Sense Media suggests, warns of greed’s destructive power—a lesson as vital for today’s youth as ever. Its stark worldview avoids moralizing, letting viewers grapple with Plainview’s complexity: a man who’s not evil but consumed by materialism.
Reception and Legacy
Released December 26, 2007, There Will Be Blood grossed $76 million worldwide and earned universal acclaim, with a 91% Rotten Tomatoes score and 93/100 on Metacritic. It won two Oscars (Best Actor, Cinematography) and was nominated for six others, including Best Picture. Critics like Michael Phillips called it the decade’s best, while Quentin Tarantino ranked it among the 21st century’s finest. Its influence endures, shaping filmmakers and fueling debates about its provocative ending.
Final Verdict
There Will Be Blood is a cinematic gusher—raw, uncompromising, and unforgettable. While its intensity and length may challenge some, its technical brilliance, Day-Lewis’s titanic performance, and Anderson’s audacious vision make it a modern masterpiece. As Rolling Stone’s Peter Travers wrote, it’s a “gusher” that “hits with hurricane force,” demanding multiple viewings to unpack its depths. For lovers of bold, thought-provoking cinema, it’s essential viewing, a stark reminder of ambition’s toll.
Rating: 4.5/5
Stream it on Paramount+ or revisit it on the big screen if possible—There Will Be Blood is a visceral journey that leaves you shaken, awed, and craving a milkshake.
