There Will Be Blood continues to stand as one of the most haunting and powerful films in American cinema. Released in 2007 and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, the film remains as gripping today as it was when it first hit theaters. Its striking portrayal of ambition, greed, faith, and the cost of human obsession still resonates with audiences around the world in 2025.
More than a period drama, There Will Be Blood is a meditation on the darkness that drives human progress — a story that feels both timeless and distinctly American.
The Story Behind the Film
Paul Thomas Anderson crafted There Will Be Blood as an adaptation inspired by Upton Sinclair’s 1927 novel “Oil!”. Rather than directly translating Sinclair’s political and social narrative, Anderson focused on the psychological journey of one man: Daniel Plainview, an ambitious oil prospector at the turn of the 20th century.
The film was shot primarily in Marfa, Texas, a location chosen for its raw, untamed landscapes. Those sweeping desert visuals would become an essential part of the story’s power — reflecting both the beauty and desolation of ambition.
Anderson, already known for films like Magnolia and Boogie Nights, took a more restrained and precise approach with There Will Be Blood. Every frame feels deliberate. Every sound, glance, and silence serves a purpose.
When it premiered in late 2007, critics instantly hailed it as a masterpiece. It went on to win two Academy Awards and earned eight nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director.
Daniel Day-Lewis and the Character of Daniel Plainview
The center of There Will Be Blood is the mesmerizing performance of Daniel Day-Lewis, who plays Daniel Plainview with a mix of ferocity and subtlety that has rarely been matched in film history.
Plainview begins the story as a solitary silver prospector. Through relentless drive, he becomes an oil baron, building wealth and influence — but also descending into paranoia and cruelty.
Day-Lewis’s transformation into Plainview was total. He reportedly stayed in character throughout filming, speaking in a distinct, gravelly voice inspired by classic Hollywood filmmaker John Huston. His performance captures both the grandeur and horror of ambition — a man who seeks success so completely that it leaves him spiritually bankrupt.
The actor’s commitment paid off. His portrayal earned him the Oscar for Best Actor, his second at the time, and remains one of the most studied performances in modern cinema. Acting schools and critics still cite his interpretation as an example of full immersion and emotional precision.
Paul Dano’s Dual Role: A Perfect Counterbalance
If Day-Lewis embodies power and ambition, Paul Dano represents faith and manipulation. Playing both Eli Sunday, a self-proclaimed preacher, and his twin brother Paul Sunday, Dano provided a chilling spiritual counterpoint to Plainview’s material obsession.
Eli’s confrontations with Plainview — especially during the baptism and final scene — are among the most unforgettable moments in film history. Dano’s youthful intensity, layered with insecurity and zeal, makes the character both repulsive and fascinating.
Dano’s performance in There Will Be Blood marked a major turning point in his career, propelling him from supporting actor to one of Hollywood’s most respected performers. His later work in Prisoners, The Batman, and The Fabelmans reflects the same emotional intelligence he first displayed opposite Day-Lewis.
Jonny Greenwood’s Score: The Sound of Unease
A film of this emotional weight needed music that could match its tension. Composer Jonny Greenwood, best known as the lead guitarist for Radiohead, delivered a groundbreaking score that redefined what film music could do.
Greenwood avoided traditional melodies and instead built the soundtrack from experimental strings, percussive rhythms, and ominous crescendos. The result is unsettling and hypnotic — music that feels like the heartbeat of Plainview’s ambition.
Even after nearly two decades, Greenwood’s work is frequently recognized as one of the most important film scores of the 21st century. It continues to influence both independent and mainstream composers for its daring use of dissonance and minimalism.
The Themes That Make There Will Be Blood Endure
The brilliance of There Will Be Blood lies not only in its performances or visuals, but in its themes — universal ideas that speak as loudly in 2025 as they did in 1900, or 2007.
1. Ambition and Greed
The film examines how ambition can both create and destroy. Daniel Plainview’s success comes at a terrible cost — his humanity. His desire for wealth and control leaves him isolated, a tragic figure defined by his own achievements.
2. Faith and Hypocrisy
Through Eli Sunday, Anderson explores the manipulation of religion. Eli preaches salvation but seeks power, making him as ruthless as Plainview. Their clashes reveal the shared greed beneath both capitalism and organized faith.
3. Isolation and Madness
Plainview’s journey is one of growing isolation. By the end, his wealth has bought him nothing but loneliness. His final outburst — “I’m finished” — is both a confession and a declaration of spiritual death.
4. The American Dream
At its core, the film is a critique of the American ideal of self-made success. It asks what happens when the pursuit of prosperity erases empathy and morality.
Visual Brilliance and Cinematic Perfection
Cinematographer Robert Elswit won the Academy Award for Best Cinematography for his work on There Will Be Blood. His use of natural light and wide compositions gives the film a timeless beauty.
The imagery — oil erupting from the ground, vast desert horizons, fire consuming the night sky — feels like biblical symbolism rendered in film form. Every shot tells part of Plainview’s story without a single word.
One of the film’s most striking sequences, the oil well explosion, was shot practically using real fire. The scene took days to set up and remains one of the most realistic depictions of early industrial power ever captured on camera.
Cultural Recognition and Awards
When There Will Be Blood premiered, it stunned both audiences and critics. The film’s meticulous direction and emotional intensity quickly earned it international recognition.
It received:
- 8 Academy Award nominations
- 2 wins (Best Actor and Best Cinematography)
- Dozens of critics’ awards from the U.S. and abroad
In the years that followed, There Will Be Blood became a staple in “greatest films” lists. Publications such as The Guardian, BBC Culture, and Empire regularly rank it among the top movies of the 21st century.
In 2022, the Library of Congress added the film to the National Film Registry, recognizing it as “culturally, historically, and aesthetically significant.”
The 4K Restoration and New Generation of Fans
In 2024, Paramount Pictures released a 4K Ultra HD restoration of There Will Be Blood, personally supervised by Paul Thomas Anderson. The remastered version enhanced the film’s visuals and audio while preserving its original tone.
The release sparked renewed interest among younger audiences on streaming platforms such as Netflix, Apple TV+, and Amazon Prime Video. Film critics noted how the restoration allowed new viewers to appreciate the film’s craftsmanship in unprecedented clarity.
Repertory theaters across the U.S. have since hosted special anniversary screenings, often with packed houses. Discussions about its relevance to modern corporate and political culture have reignited, proving that its themes remain strikingly current.
The Lasting Influence of Paul Thomas Anderson
Director Paul Thomas Anderson’s impact on modern cinema is immense. With films like Magnolia, The Master, and Licorice Pizza, he has established himself as one of the most versatile storytellers of his time.
But There Will Be Blood stands as his most monumental achievement — a perfect blend of artistic vision and emotional power. Its structure, tone, and visual language continue to influence filmmakers around the world.
In film schools across the United States, There Will Be Blood is a cornerstone of directing and cinematography courses. Professors often highlight its disciplined pacing, emotional precision, and willingness to let silence speak louder than dialogue.
Why There Will Be Blood Still Matters in 2025
In a world defined by constant change, There Will Be Blood feels more relevant than ever. Its examination of greed and isolation mirrors modern struggles with corporate power, economic disparity, and personal ambition.
The film reminds viewers that success without empathy leads to emptiness. Daniel Plainview’s final words — “I’m finished” — are not just his ending but a warning about the cost of obsession.
As new audiences continue to discover the film, its reputation only grows. It’s more than a movie — it’s a reflection of America’s soul, its ambition, and its contradictions.
There Will Be Blood remains one of the greatest American films ever made — a portrait of power and corruption that still echoes through every generation.