There Will Be Blood Ending Explained, Plot and Review
by Rubaditsha | Updated Jun 20, 2023
There Will Be Blood Ending Explained
The ending of "There Will Be Blood" is a culmination of the film's exploration of greed, power, and the destructive nature of the protagonist, Daniel Plainview. It provides insight into the motivations behind Daniel's actions and the themes that drive the narrative.
Throughout the film, Daniel is depicted as a relentless and ruthless individual consumed by greed. His insatiable desire for wealth and power drives him to exploit others and engage in manipulative tactics. This greed becomes a central theme, as it serves as the primary motivator for Daniel's behavior.
In the final scenes, Daniel's confrontation with Eli Sunday, the false prophet and religious leader, becomes the focal point. Despite already having the upper hand over Eli, Daniel's greed compels him to seek further dominance and control. He wants Eli to renounce his faith and aims to break him emotionally by involving his "smarter" brother, whom Daniel deems superior.
The significance of this act lies in the fact that it goes beyond mere power dynamics. Daniel's actions are driven by an uncontrollable impulse—an addiction to his own greed. It becomes apparent that his greed is not a calculated and intelligent strategy but rather an instinctual urge, much like an addiction that demands constant fulfillment.
By demanding Eli's faith renouncement and emotional breakdown, Daniel seeks to exert complete dominance over him. He wants to strip away everything that Eli holds dear, including his beliefs and family ties, reducing him to a powerless state. This reflects Daniel's need for control and the extent to which his greed permeates every aspect of his character.
Ultimately, Daniel achieves his goal, and in the final confrontation, he brutally beats Eli to death while mocking him. This violent act serves as a final demonstration of his unrestrained greed and the destructive consequences it brings. Daniel's killing of Eli signifies the culmination of his journey and the extent to which his insatiable greed has consumed him.
In the film's last line, Daniel declares that he is "finished." This statement carries a double meaning. On one hand, it signifies the end of his confrontation with Eli, marking the completion of his pursuit of dominance. On the other hand, it speaks to Daniel's personal demise—a recognition that his relentless greed has left him empty and devoid of any sense of fulfillment or satisfaction.
The ending of "There Will Be Blood" is a reflection of Daniel Plainview's relentless greed and the destructive nature of his character. It emphasizes the uncontrollable and addictive nature of his pursuit of power and showcases the devastating consequences that unfold as a result. The film's exploration of greed and its impact on individuals and society is central to understanding the motivations and actions of its characters.
There Will Be Blood Cast
Daniel Day-Lewis
Daniel Plainview
Paul Dano
Paul & Eli Sunday
Kevin J. O'Connor
Henry
Ciarán Hinds
Fletcher Hamilton
Russell Harvard
H.W. Plainview
Dillon Freasier
Young H.W. Plainview
Colleen Foy
Mary Sunday
Sydney McCallister
Young Mary Sunday
David Willis
Abel Sunday
Hans Howes
Bandy
Paul F. Tompkins
Prescott
Jim Downey
Al Rose
David Warshofsky
H.M. Tilford
Barry Del Sherman
H.B. Ailman
Cast
Character
There Will Be Blood Review
"There Will Be Blood" is a profound and thought-provoking film that explores themes of ambition, greed, and the dark side of the American Dream. Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson and released in 2007, it is widely considered a modern masterpiece. The movie showcases exceptional performances, particularly from Daniel Day-Lewis in the lead role, and offers a captivating narrative that leaves a lasting impact on its viewers.
The story revolves around Daniel Plainview, played brilliantly by Daniel Day-Lewis, a driven and ruthless prospector who discovers oil on the property of the Sunday family. Plainview's relentless pursuit of wealth leads him to rise in the oil industry, but along the way, he becomes entangled in a complex and tense relationship with Eli Sunday, a charismatic young minister portrayed by Paul Dano.
The film reaches its conclusion in 1927, portraying the aftermath of years of power struggles and personal conflicts. Daniel Plainview, despite amassing immense wealth, lives a lonely and troubled existence, consumed by alcoholism and bitterness. His relationships have deteriorated, and he is haunted by the revelation that his son, H.W., is not his biological child. Plainview's tragic fate serves as a cautionary tale about the destructive consequences of unchecked ambition and moral decay.
H.W. Plainview, played by Russell Harvard, has adapted to life as a deaf person following an accident during his youth. In 1927, he seeks to break away from his father and pursue his own ambitions in Mexico. However, their encounter reveals the painful truth about his parentage, causing H.W. to leave in anger and uncertainty. The film suggests that H.W. may find his own path and personal fulfillment outside the shadow of his father.
Eli Sunday, portrayed by Paul Dano, starts as a young preacher receiving financial support from Plainview in exchange for land rights. Their relationship becomes increasingly strained as they compete for power. In the end, Daniel confronts Eli, exposing his deceit and manipulation. Eli's fate is left ambiguous, but it is implied that his influence has waned, overshadowed by his brother Paul's success in the oil industry.
Paul Sunday, played by Paul Dano, initiates the events of the film by informing Daniel about the oil on his family's land. He receives financial compensation and appears briefly as a secondary character. However, in the final confrontation, Daniel reveals that Paul used the money to start his own prosperous oil company, highlighting the corrupting influence of wealth and power.
"There Will Be Blood" concludes with a sense of tragedy and moral decay, leaving viewers with a haunting reflection on the cost of ambition and the destructive forces unleashed in the pursuit of wealth. The film's exceptional performances, meticulous direction, and thematic depth have solidified its reputation as a cinematic masterpiece, offering a profound exploration of the human condition.
There Will Be Blood Plot
In the late 19th century, Daniel Plainview discovers silver and gold while mining in New Mexico. He sustains an injury but manages to secure a claim. In 1902, he strikes oil near Los Angeles and establishes an oil drilling company. After a worker dies, Daniel takes in the worker's orphaned son, H.W., who becomes his adopted son and business partner.
In 1911, Paul Sunday approaches Daniel and informs him about an oil deposit on his family's land in Little Boston, California. Daniel meets Paul's twin brother, Eli, who is a preacher. Daniel tries to buy the land at a low price under the pretense of hunting quail, but Eli suspects the true value of the land and demands money for his church. Daniel agrees to the deal but fails to negotiate with William Bandy, who owns a small portion of the land.
Eli asks to bless the well before drilling, but Daniel refuses at the last moment. Unfortunate events follow, including the death of a worker and a gas blowout that leaves H.W. deaf and destroys the drilling equipment. Eli blames these disasters on the lack of a blessing. When Eli demands the money owed to him, Daniel beats and humiliates him. At dinner, Eli berates his father for trusting Daniel.
A man claiming to be Daniel's half-brother, Henry, arrives and is hired. Jealous of Henry, H.W. sets fire to their house to kill him. Daniel sends H.W. to a school for the deaf and considers selling his local interests to Standard Oil. However, after a perceived insult, he refuses the offer and instead makes a deal with Union Oil to build a pipeline. Bandy's ranch remains an obstacle.
Daniel becomes suspicious of Henry and confronts him at gunpoint. "Henry" admits to impersonating Daniel's deceased half-brother and hoping for employment. Enraged, Daniel kills him and buries the body. He spirals into heavy drinking and tears.
The next day, Bandy confronts Daniel, aware of his crime. Bandy offers an easement for the pipeline in exchange for Daniel's public repentance in Eli's church. During the baptism, Eli humiliates Daniel and coerces him into confessing that he abandoned his son. Later, while the pipeline is being constructed, H.W. reunites with Daniel, and Eli leaves Little Boston for missionary work.
In 1927, H.W. marries Mary Sunday, Paul and Eli's sister. Daniel, now wealthy but alcoholic, lives alone in a mansion. H.W. asks to dissolve their partnership to start his own drilling company in Mexico. Daniel cruelly mocks H.W.'s deafness and reveals that he is not his biological father. H.W. leaves, and Daniel jeers at him.
While intoxicated in his mansion's bowling alley, Daniel is visited by Eli, now a radio preacher. Eli offers to sell him the rights to the Bandy ranch, as Bandy has died. Daniel agrees but demands that Eli renounce his faith and credibility. After Eli complies, Daniel reveals that the property is worthless because his other wells have already drained the oil reservoir.
Desperate, Eli confesses his financial losses and moral failures. Daniel taunts him, chases him, and kills him with a bowling pin. When his butler arrives, Daniel declares, "I'm finished."
There Will Be Blood Where to Watch?
Currently, "There Will Be Blood" is available for streaming on Paramount+. If you prefer to rent or purchase the film, it can be found on various platforms such as iTunes, Amazon Instant Video, Google Play, and Vudu. Additionally, you have the option to stream "There Will Be Blood" for free on Pluto. These streaming services provide convenient access to the film, allowing you to enjoy the cinematic experience from the comfort of your own home.
There Will Be Blood Ending Explained:FAQs
The main themes explored in the film include greed, power, the destructive nature of ambition, and the dark side of the American Dream.
Daniel Plainview is driven by an insatiable greed for wealth and power. His relentless pursuit of these goals leads him to exploit others and engage in manipulative tactics.
In the final confrontation, Daniel seeks complete dominance over Eli by demanding his faith renouncement and involving his brother. Daniel brutally beats Eli to death, demonstrating the extent of his greed and the destructive consequences it brings.
"There Will Be Blood" is currently available for streaming on Paramount+. You can also rent or purchase the film on platforms like iTunes, Amazon Instant Video, Google Play, and Vudu. Additionally, it can be streamed for free on Pluto.
"There Will Be Blood" is widely considered a profound and thought-provoking film. It is praised for its exceptional performances, particularly from Daniel Day-Lewis, and its exploration of themes such as ambition, greed, and the dark side of the American Dream.