Ambition & Blood: Analyzing the Psychology, Philosophy, and Ethics of Masculinity in There Will Be Blood: Lessons for Modern Men

There Will Be Blood (2007), directed by Paul Thomas Anderson and based loosely on Upton Sinclair’s Oil!, is a deep, multi-faceted exploration of human ambition, greed, and the destructive nature of unchecked masculinity. The film’s protagonist, Daniel Plainview (played by Daniel Day-Lewis), is a towering figure of ruthless determination, driven by an insatiable desire for wealth and dominance. His interactions with other men—most notably his son H.W. and the preacher Eli Sunday—create a psychological, philosophical, and ethical battleground that delves into questions of power, identity, and moral decay. By examining the film’s portrayal of these characters, modern men can extract valuable lessons about the dangers of unchecked ambition, the complexities of fatherhood, the relationship between power and ethics, and the importance of humility.

Psychology: The Complex Inner Worlds of Men

At its core, There Will Be Blood is a character study of Daniel Plainview, a man who is driven by a primal need for success and dominance. Psychologically, Plainview’s trajectory showcases an individual increasingly isolated by his ambition, paranoia, and distrust of others. His obsession with controlling his environment, whether through oil drilling or dominating the lives of those around him, reveals a psyche that equates power with survival.

• Narcissism and Paranoia: Plainview is not simply ambitious; he is narcissistic, convinced that his success places him above others. This is evident in his manipulative relationships, especially with Eli Sunday, the young preacher who represents a spiritual counterpart to Plainview’s secular greed. Throughout the film, Plainview exhibits a growing paranoia, fearing that those around him—such as his son H.W. or Eli—are threats to his autonomy and empire. The result is a man who, despite his wealth, becomes emotionally impoverished and consumed by self-destructive tendencies.
• Fatherhood and Emotional Repression: Plainview’s relationship with his adopted son, H.W., is central to understanding his psychological makeup. While Plainview initially seems to care for H.W., seeing him as a legacy and a partner, his actions suggest that he views the boy as a tool rather than a person. When H.W. becomes deaf after an oil rig explosion, Plainview’s inability to show empathy or vulnerability is glaring. His emotional repression, a trait often idealized in traditional models of masculinity, prevents him from forming meaningful bonds, leading to H.W.’s eventual estrangement. For modern men, this aspect of Plainview’s psyche serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of emotional detachment and the cost of treating relationships as transactional rather than nurturing.
• Identity and Isolation: Plainview’s growing isolation mirrors a deeper identity crisis. His drive for material success seems to obscure any sense of moral or personal identity outside of being an oilman. He rejects any form of connection that might challenge or soften his ambitions, culminating in a life devoid of love, companionship, or fulfillment. This psychological unraveling reveals the hollowness of defining oneself solely through career or achievement, a lesson particularly relevant to modern men facing societal pressures to constantly “prove” their worth.

Philosophy: The Nature of Power, Ambition, and the Self

The philosophical underpinnings of There Will Be Blood can be traced to themes of Nietzschean will to power, existential isolation, and the morality of capitalism. Plainview’s journey is a microcosm of unchecked ambition, where the pursuit of power becomes an end in itself, devoid of ethical considerations or spiritual meaning.

• Will to Power: Nietzsche’s concept of the “will to power” resonates throughout the film. Plainview epitomizes the man who seeks to dominate his surroundings and bend the world to his will, using both violence and manipulation to achieve his ends. His struggle with Eli Sunday becomes a metaphysical battle between two men who each represent different forms of power: Eli’s spiritual authority versus Plainview’s material domination. For Plainview, the acquisition of wealth and land is not about providing for others or building community—it is about exerting control, an impulse that ultimately consumes him.
• Existentialism and Isolation: The film’s portrayal of Plainview also raises existential questions about the nature of purpose and fulfillment. As he achieves greater financial success, his isolation grows, suggesting that his pursuit lacks deeper meaning beyond self-gratification. His life becomes a series of hollow victories, where each conquest leaves him emptier than before. For modern men, this philosophical quandary offers a critical reflection on the emptiness of success when divorced from values, community, and personal fulfillment. The film asks a pressing question: what is the value of power and success if it comes at the cost of one’s soul?
• Capitalism and Moral Compromise: Another key philosophical thread in There Will Be Blood is the critique of capitalism’s moral costs. Plainview is a representation of raw capitalist ambition, willing to exploit people and land for profit. His moral compromises—lying, cheating, and even killing—are justified in his mind by the end result: wealth and dominance. This critique of capitalism asks viewers to consider how far one should go in the pursuit of material success and what ethical lines should not be crossed. For contemporary men navigating a world that often prizes financial success above all else, the film serves as a reminder of the potential moral hazards in chasing wealth at any cost.

Ethics: Morality, Corruption, and Redemption

The ethical landscape of There Will Be Blood is defined by moral decay, with each of the central male figures embodying different aspects of corruption and ethical failure. Both Daniel Plainview and Eli Sunday manipulate and exploit others for personal gain, revealing a shared capacity for moral compromise, despite their apparent opposition as secular and spiritual leaders.

• Plainview’s Ethical Corruption: Daniel Plainview’s ethical downfall is clear from the beginning of the film, where his pragmatism quickly gives way to greed. His willingness to deceive local landowners and extract oil at their expense exemplifies the moral compromises he is willing to make. His ethical decline reaches its zenith when he murders Eli Sunday in the film’s final scene, a symbolic act of eliminating any remaining moral opposition. Plainview’s descent is a stark warning about the corrosive effects of unchecked ambition, greed, and the erosion of empathy.
• Eli Sunday and Spiritual Hypocrisy: Eli, the preacher, presents himself as a man of faith, but his actions reveal a deep hypocrisy. He seeks power through spiritual manipulation, using religion as a tool for personal gain rather than genuine guidance. Eli’s eventual submission to Plainview in the film’s climax, where he admits his own desperation and greed, underscores the ethical collapse of both men. Eli’s fate illustrates the dangers of using moral authority for selfish ends, a lesson that resonates in a world where spiritual and political leaders sometimes prioritize personal gain over ethical integrity.
• Lack of Redemption: Perhaps one of the most striking aspects of There Will Be Blood is the absence of redemption for its characters. Plainview’s refusal to change or show remorse, even in the face of his own moral bankruptcy, highlights the film’s bleak view of human nature. Unlike other cinematic narratives of downfall, There Will Be Blood offers no hope for repentance or transformation, suggesting that for some, the pursuit of power and dominance leaves no room for redemption. This raises an important ethical question for modern men: is it possible to pursue success while maintaining one’s moral integrity, or does the pursuit of power inevitably lead to ethical compromise?

Lessons for Modern Men

There Will Be Blood presents a complex and cautionary tale for modern men. The film’s portrayal of Daniel Plainview offers critical insights into the psychological, philosophical, and ethical dimensions of masculinity, ambition, and power.

1. The Importance of Emotional Vulnerability: Plainview’s emotional repression ultimately leads to his isolation. Modern men can learn from this that vulnerability and emotional openness are crucial for building meaningful relationships and avoiding the loneliness that comes from prioritizing power over connection.
2. Success Without Meaning is Hollow: Plainview’s relentless pursuit of wealth leaves him morally bankrupt and alone. Modern men should strive to define success not merely through material wealth but also through purpose, values, and community.
3. Ethical Boundaries Matter: The film highlights the ethical dangers of unchecked ambition. In a world that often rewards aggressive competition, men should remember the importance of maintaining ethical boundaries and considering the impact of their actions on others.
4. Power Should Not Come at the Expense of Integrity: Both Plainview and Eli Sunday compromise their integrity in the pursuit of power. Modern men can learn from their downfall that true success is not just about dominance but about maintaining one’s ethical principles.

In conclusion, There Will Be Blood serves as a powerful exploration of the complexities of masculinity, ambition, and moral choice. For modern men, it offers a sobering reminder that the pursuit of power, if left unchecked, can lead to personal and ethical ruin.