A focal point of There Will Be Blood’s narrative is the fierce rivalry between Daniel Plainview, the driven protagonist and a ruthless oil prospector, and Eli Sunday, a charismatic preacher. Daniel’s ambition of becoming the most powerful oil tycoon takes him to extreme bounds where he is willing to manipulate people using his adopted son.
Relationship Between Daniel Plainview and Eli Sunday
The 2007 film There Will Be Blood, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, is a masterful depiction of greed, obsession, and enmity set against the backdrop of California’s early 20th-century oil boom. With an 8.2 IMDB rating, Anderson hit it out of the park with his epic period drama. Daniel Plainview, portrayed masterfully by Daniel Day-Lewis, is an oilman through and through, his identity inextricably tied to his profession. He is a man of the earth, understanding and manipulating its riches for his gain. On the other hand, Eli Sunday, played by Paul Dano, is a man of faith, using religion as his tool for control and personal prosperity.
Their starkly contrasting worldviews, coupled with their shared ambition and desire for power, make for an explosive dynamic right from the start. From the outset, the relationship between Daniel Plainview and Eli Sunday in the movie is marked by palpable tension. Their initial meeting sets the stage for a gruelling rivalry, a battle of wills that unfolds throughout the film, and it is clear at their first interaction that Daniel harbours a deep loathing for Eli.
Daniel’s distaste for Eli is evident in his dismissive attitude and thinly veiled disdain during their conversation. He views Eli’s faith as a means to control and manipulate, much like his own use of oil. Their shared ruthlessness, albeit channelled through different mediums, amplifies Daniel’s resentment towards Sunday.
Why Does Daniel Plainview Hate Eli Sunday?
Plainview’s instant detest for Sunday is a result of their clashing worldviews and mutual power ambitions, laying the groundwork for a gripping narrative in There Will Be Blood. Daniel Plainview detests Eli Sunday for several reasons. First, Eli is a young and ambitious preacher who represents everything that Daniel despises. Daniel is a self-made man who has worked hard to build his wealth and success, while Eli is a religious figure who claims to have a direct line to God. This clashes with Daniel’s worldview, which is based on self-reliance and individualism.
Second, Eli is a constant thorn in Daniel Plainview’s side. He is always trying to get the upper hand in their relationship, whether it’s by demanding more money for his church or by trying to convert Daniel to his faith. This puts Daniel on the defensive and makes him feel like he is being taken advantage of.
Third, Eli represents a threat to Daniel’s power and control. As the owner of the land that Daniel wants to drill for oil, Eli has the ability to block Daniel’s plans and derail his business. This creates a power struggle between the two men, with each trying to outmanoeuvre the other.
Finally, Daniel detests Eli because he sees him as a fraud. Despite his claims of being a holy man, Eli is shown to be just as greedy and manipulative as Daniel. He is willing to sell out his own family members for personal gain, and he uses his position as a preacher to enrich himself. This hypocrisy disgusts Daniel and makes him even more determined to destroy Eli.
There Will Be Blood is available to stream on Netflix.
