Ranking The Films Of Paul Thomas Anderson From Worst To Best

A modern masterpiece and the best leading performance of the 21st century. There will be Blood is a character study of an oil tycoon named Daniel Plainview (Daniel Day-Lewis) who strives to find oil and wealth. Plainview is narcissistic and self-obsessed and often uses his adopted son H.W. in his schemes. He clashes with a young religious zealot (Paul Dano) who wishes for Daniel to pay him money he's owed to build a church and as a result some of the most gripping cinema ever made is produced.

Plainview is dripping with seething entitlement and his ego is almost bigger than the film itself. Watching him slowly go mad over the course of the narrative is a joy to watch and really showcases PTA's storytelling abilities as well as Day-Lewis' infinite talents. The tension between Day-Lewis and Dano slowly builds before erupting in a series of iconic scenes that will stay with you for a long time.

Its unflinching portrayal of greed makes the experience so captivating from start to finish and the film is truly hard to fault. You'd never think the phrase "I drink your milkshake!" could be as chilling as it is out of Day-Lewis' mouth.

Paul Thomas Anderson's main strength is his character work and that has never been on display more successfully than in There will be Blood.