The Corruption of the American Dream: Capitalism and Religion in There Will Be Blood

The Dark Side of the American Dream

There Will Be Blood is a powerful critique of the American Dream, exploring the corrupting forces of capitalism and religion through the rivalry between Daniel Plainview and Eli Sunday. Set in the early 20th century, the film delves into the relentless pursuit of power and wealth, showing how these ambitions can lead to moral decay and destruction. Daniel Plainview, a ruthless oilman, embodies the cutthroat nature of capitalism, willing to sacrifice anything in his quest for dominance. In contrast, Eli Sunday, a manipulative preacher, represents the darker side of religious authority, using faith as a tool for control.

The film brilliantly weaves together these two forces, depicting how both capitalism and religion can become corrupted in the pursuit of personal gain. As Daniel and Eli clash, There Will Be Blood reveals the dangerous consequences of unchecked ambition and the moral compromises made in the name of success.

Daniel Plainview: Capitalism Personified

Daniel Plainview stands as a symbol of capitalism’s most ruthless and exploitative side. From his early days as a prospector to his eventual rise as a wealthy oil tycoon, Daniel’s character is driven by an insatiable ambition to dominate the oil industry. In key moments, such as his acquisition of land from vulnerable families and his manipulation of local communities, Plainview’s hunger for power becomes increasingly evident. He is willing to deceive, lie, and betray those around him to expand his empire. One particularly telling scene is when Daniel convinces the Sunday family to sell their land, only to exploit its resources for his own gain, showing no regard for the people he manipulates.

What makes Daniel a fascinating embodiment of capitalism is not just his ambition, but the emotional cost of his pursuit. As he becomes wealthier and more powerful, he grows increasingly isolated from those around him. His relationships, including those with his adopted son, H.W., and others, deteriorate as he prioritizes his own success. This emotional isolation reflects how his relentless drive for wealth corrodes his humanity, turning him into a symbol of greed and self-destruction. Through Daniel Plainview, There Will Be Blood critiques the moral dangers of a capitalist system that rewards unchecked ambition at the expense of human connection and ethical integrity.

Eli Sunday: The Exploitation of Faith

Eli Sunday, in contrast to Daniel Plainview, represents the manipulation of religion for personal gain. As the preacher of the small town where Daniel sets up his oil operations, Eli initially appears to be a man of faith, eager to build his church and guide his community. However, as the film progresses, it becomes clear that Eli’s motives are far from pure. He uses his position as a religious leader to wield influence and power over others, often demanding recognition and submission from those around him. This is evident in scenes where Eli seeks to gain financial backing from Daniel for his church, positioning himself as an intermediary between God and the people.

Eli’s manipulation of faith is most apparent in the iconic baptism scene, where he humiliates Daniel in front of the congregation. Rather than an act of spiritual salvation, the baptism becomes a power play, with Eli seizing the opportunity to assert control over Daniel. However, Eli’s exploitation of religion is not without consequences. His desire for power ultimately makes him vulnerable to Daniel’s own ambitions, and their final confrontation in the bowling alley reveals the hollowness of Eli’s faith. Through Eli Sunday, There Will Be Blood exposes the hypocrisy within organized religion, showing how faith can be distorted into a tool for personal control and influence.

The Battle for Power: Capitalism vs. Religion 

There Will Be Blood centers on the intense rivalry between Daniel Plainview and Eli Sunday, which serves as a metaphor for the clash between capitalism and religion. Both men represent larger forces, with Daniel embodying the ruthless nature of capitalism and Eli standing for the manipulative potential of organized religion. Their battle is not one of principle or service but rather a fight for dominance and personal gain.

One of the most iconic scenes that encapsulates this struggle is the forced baptism. Daniel, a man of wealth and power, is momentarily humbled by Eli, who uses the ceremony to assert his control over Daniel. For Eli, this act is not about spiritual redemption but an opportunity to humiliate Daniel and display his own authority. Daniel’s participation in this ritual, however, is purely transactional—he tolerates it only to secure access to land for oil. The scene illustrates how both capitalism and religion can be twisted into instruments of power rather than forces for good.

The final showdown in the bowling alley marks the culmination of this rivalry. Daniel, now completely consumed by his greed and ambition, turns the tables on Eli. He physically and symbolically destroys Eli, who, by that point, has also been corrupted by his own pursuit of wealth and status. The “I drink your milkshake” line reflects Daniel’s complete dominance over Eli, illustrating how the quest for power has become an all-consuming force for both men. Neither Daniel’s oil empire nor Eli’s religious facade has brought them fulfillment, only emptiness and ruin.

Through this rivalry, the film portrays the dangerous consequences of unchecked ambition in both capitalism and religion, revealing how both fields can become tools for manipulation, exploitation, and personal gain.

The Corruption of the American Dream

There Will Be Blood offers a sobering critique of the American Dream, exposing how its idealized promise of success can become a destructive force when fueled by greed and exploitation. The film portrays Daniel Plainview’s rise from a struggling prospector to a powerful oilman as a twisted version of the American Dream. What begins as a journey of hard work and ambition quickly turns into a ruthless pursuit of wealth and dominance, with little regard for morality or human connection.

Daniel’s relentless drive to accumulate wealth and power comes at a steep cost. His obsession isolates him from his son, H.W., and distances him from any sense of humanity. Similarly, Eli Sunday’s manipulation of religion for personal gain demonstrates the moral corruption that can result when ambition is unchecked. Both men’s journeys showcase the dark side of the American Dream: a world where success is defined solely by power, control, and the accumulation of wealth, even if it leads to personal and moral ruin.

Through Daniel’s and Eli’s stories, There Will Be Blood reveals that the American Dream can be a double-edged sword. When driven by selfish ambition and greed, it becomes a destructive force that leads not to fulfillment, but to isolation, betrayal, and a loss of humanity. In the end, both characters are left broken and alone, their pursuits of wealth and influence having cost them everything.

A Tale of Greed and Manipulation 

There Will Be Blood offers a powerful critique of the intersection between capitalism and religion through the characters of Daniel Plainview and Eli Sunday. Both men, consumed by their respective quests for power and dominance, manipulate their fields—oil and faith—not to serve others, but to satisfy their own greed and egos. As their rivalry escalates, the film reveals the dangers of unchecked ambition and the moral decay that comes with it.

Ultimately, There Will Be Blood serves as a cautionary tale about the corruption of the American Dream. In their pursuit of wealth and power, Daniel and Eli lose their humanity, leaving them broken and isolated. The film’s exploration of greed, power, and morality remains as relevant today as ever, resonating with modern audiences as a timeless reflection on the costs of ambition.