Cast and Crew of There Will Be Blood

There Will Be Blood

"There Will Be Blood" follows the intense journey of Daniel Plainview (Daniel Day-Lewis), a ruthless silver miner turned oil prospector, who relocates to oil-rich California to capitalize on the booming industry. Using his adopted son as a means to appear as a trustworthy family man, Plainview manipulates and cons local landowners into selling their valuable properties for meager sums. However, his path to wealth and power becomes entangled with the local preacher, Eli Sunday (Paul Dano), whose suspicion and moral opposition ignite a fierce and destructive rivalry that escalates as the story unfolds.

Central to the film are themes of ambition, greed, and the corrupting influence of power. Daniel Plainview embodies the dark side of the American Dream—how the pursuit of wealth can erode one's humanity and relationships. The film also explores the volatile intersection of capitalism and religion, represented by the antagonism between Plainview and Eli Sunday. Their conflict highlights the tension between materialism and spiritual belief, as well as the manipulative nature both characters employ to attain control.

Upon its release, "There Will Be Blood" received widespread critical acclaim, particularly for Daniel Day-Lewis's commanding performance and Paul Thomas Anderson's masterful direction. The film has since been hailed as a modern classic, earning multiple Academy Award nominations and winning Best Actor for Day-Lewis. Its exploration of early 20th-century oil exploitation and complex character study has left an indelible mark on pop culture, inspiring discussions on morality, ambition, and the American ethos in cinema and beyond.

Main Cast of There Will Be Blood

Daniel Day-Lewis as Daniel Plainview

Daniel Day-Lewis

Daniel Plainview
Paul Dano as Paul Sunday / Eli Sunday

Paul Dano

Paul Sunday / Eli Sunday
Kevin J. O'Connor as Henry

Kevin J. O'Connor

Henry
Ciarán Hinds as Fletcher Hamilton

Ciarán Hinds

Fletcher Hamilton
Dillon Freasier as H.W. Plainview

Dillon Freasier

H.W. Plainview
Hope Elizabeth Reeves as Elizabeth

Hope Elizabeth Reeves

Elizabeth

Crew of There Will Be Blood

Full backstage crew list →