Why Daniel Plainview Is One Of The Most Terrifying Villains In Film History

Paul Thomas Anderson's There Will Be Blood will go down in history as one of the best movies of its time. Coming home with multiple Oscar Awards and critical success, There Will Be Blood cemented itself in cinema history. But none of this could have been possible without the terrifying portrayal of Daniel Plainview by Daniel Day Lewis. Daniel Plainview is the backbone of There Will Be Blood, and his intensity can be felt by every person that sees the film.

#ThereWillBeBlood #DanielPlainview #Nerdstalgic

Written by Dave Baker
Edited by Dan Smiley

[Nerdstalgic]

What iconic villain should we cover next?

[steviegilliam]

My dad who never comments on movies, when saw the ending he said "that sure was a mean fella" I have not forgotten that even years later

[arnoldgarcia]

You have to give some credit to Paul Dano. He definitely held his own in this scene. Daniel was incredible! But Paul was amazing as well. It must be absolutely intimidating to be in a scene with a legendary actor like Daniel Day Lewis !

[freddieklein]

"Don't bully me Daniel!" spoken by a man who's been a phony and a coward his whole life would understandably set off a man who was the exact opposite of those things and saw before him a leach, saboteur, and unworthy competitor.

[myaccount]

At the same year, two of the most remarkable villains of cinema history were presented to the public: Daniel Plainview and Anton Chighur.

[harrykelly]

The look Day Lewis gives the man masquerading as his brother before executing him earlier in the film is some of the best acting I’ve ever witnessed. Pure unfiltered rage

[CreamCornXL]

This movie had one of the best character introductions I've ever seen. You basically learn everything you need to know about Plainview right off the bat when he breaks his leg and still manages to climb his way out of the hole and crawl to civilization. The sheer determination and grit that had to take, coupled with the wry smirk when he finally makes it back, knowing hes struck oil and is about to be mega rich.

[ounce]

Paul Dano and Daniel Day-Lewis were both awesome villains in this movie. Both actors can adapt to any character they morph into. The movie was chilling and intense.

[dunphyc]

Daniel Day Lewis is hands down the greatest actor of all time. No one else even comes close. You can see why he isn’t prolific because he gives each role absolutely everything.

[WackyJack]

I see this more as a Villain vs Villain story. Eli is just as exploiting and manipulative as Daniel is. He demonstrates this by making Eli denounce his God and faith before the sell, someone who frames himself as a fundamentalists like Eli should not have agreed to that.

It shows he was just as willing to compromise himself and his values like Daniel was. They're both villains, Daniel was just better at it.

[hideousruin]

"I drink your milkshake" is one of my favorite lines from all of cinema. I'm surprised I don't see it used more.

[flcon]

"I'm finished" Remains one of my favorite lines in cinema. It has layer upon layers of meaning. I was still just in shock and awe when it was first delivered, and on rewatch it just dug deeper and deeper.

It's funny how 'old Hollywood' the tracking shot down the spiral staircase leading up to it feels.

[JimmyPlaylists]

That final scene is the flip-side of the incredible church "baptism" scene... Daniel's big payback.
Great video! Definitely the most iconic Day-Lewis role, for me.

[MJB_]

Paul Dano is so underrated. He's been in alot of good things and usually always acts his roles well

[samuelsorenson]

I may be alone, but I was definitely somewhat rooting for Daniel, even at the end. That last scene was absolutely captivating!

[curtisthomson]

Eli wasn’t attempting to sell his land. Daniel purchased it from Eli’s father earlier in the movie. Eli was trying to broker the sale of the Bandy property. Daniel was playing along with this proposal initially to simply build up and then knock down and humiliate Eli.

[jamiedalke]

Lewis's performance in this film is hands down the best acting I've ever witnessed! I've said it ever since the first time I watched this movie, and no-one has even come close. Was not surprised at all when he won the Oscar for this role.

[JustWastedHoursHere]

That final scene in the bowling alley was shocking in the best possible way. I remember just sitting there, numb, when the credits started to roll. DDL is one of the greatest actors of our generation, and Paul Dano is no slouch either. Looking forward to seeing his take on the Riddler in "The Batman".

[brandonfranzen]

"Is hw alright?"
"No he isn't"
That scene kills me everytime

[Jimmersaunt]

When he won the Oscar for this role you could see even from just the clips that Day-Lewis was simply on another level from the other actors. He truly is one of the greatest actors there ever was!