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There Will Be Blood

There Will Be Blood is a 2007 American epic period drama film written and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

There Will Be Blood is a 2007 American epic period drama film written and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson. Loosely based on Upton Sinclair’s novel *Oil!*, the film follows oilman Daniel Plainview during the California oil boom as his pursuit of wealth turns destructive. The film stars Daniel Day-Lewis and Paul Dano.

Plot

The film follows Daniel Plainview as he builds an oil empire in California. His ambition brings him into conflict with local landowners and the preacher Eli Sunday, while his relationships become increasingly strained.

Production

Written and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, the film adapts Upton Sinclair’s *Oil!* very loosely. It was produced as a historical drama set around the turn of the 20th century.

Cast

The principal cast includes Daniel Day-Lewis, Paul Dano, Kevin J. O'Connor, Ciarán Hinds, and Dillon Freasier. Day-Lewis plays the central role of Daniel Plainview.

Themes

The film is widely associated with themes of capitalism, greed, religion, corruption, and obsession. Its narrative presents a harsh portrait of ambition and moral decay.

Key facts

  • The film is set during the California oil boom of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
  • Daniel Plainview is a silver miner who becomes an oil prospector and tycoon.
  • The story centres on greed, power, religion, and family conflict.
  • It is loosely based on Upton Sinclair’s 1927 novel *Oil!*.
  • The film runs 158 minutes and was released in 2007.
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Canadian context

The film has been widely screened, reviewed, and studied in Canada as part of North American cinema, including at Canadian repertory and university film venues.

Frequently asked questions

What is *There Will Be Blood* about?
It is about Daniel Plainview, an ambitious oil prospector whose quest for wealth leads to conflict, corruption, and personal ruin.
Who directed *There Will Be Blood*?
Paul Thomas Anderson directed and wrote the film.
What is the film based on?
It is loosely based on Upton Sinclair’s 1927 novel *Oil!*
Who stars in the film?
Daniel Day-Lewis stars as Daniel Plainview, with Paul Dano as Eli Sunday and Dillon Freasier as H.W. Plainview.
When was *There Will Be Blood* released?
It was released in 2007.
What genre is it?
It is generally classified as an epic period drama.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/There_Will_Be_Blood
    Supports: Basic identification, director, release year, cast, source novel, and plot overview.
  2. Paramount Pictures — https://www.paramountpictures.com/movies/there-will-be-blood
    Supports: Official synopsis, runtime, genre, release year, and cast.
  3. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/there_will_be_blood
    Supports: Synopsis, runtime, rating, release information, and genre.
  4. RogerEbert.com — https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/there-will-be-blood-2008
    Supports: Critical description of the film, plot context, and its loose basis on *Oil!*.
  5. NPR — https://www.npr.org/2007/12/26/17628099/there-will-be-blood
    Supports: Director, runtime, genre, and literary basis.