20 Things You Somehow Missed In There Will Be Blood

While we knew Plainview didn't like to support Eli's endeavors, there was some ambiguity about whether his attitude was specific to Eli or against religion altogether. As we saw more of him in the course of the film, the answer leaned towards the latter. There is one moment that cements the notion, more or less. But it is so brief, that you could have easily missed it.

It comes when one of his men dies in an accident on the oil derrick. Fletcher informed him of it as Plainview lied on the floor, and passed out due to alcohol. The next morning, as they pack his things to send them to his family, we see Plainview hold the man's cross. If you look closely enough, you can see him almost wincing as he passes it.

It is almost as if he is the devil and the cross burns him. That is the level of hate and disbelief Plainview had against religion. Probably why he hated the living manifestation of it in Eli so much.