In the climax of the film, Daniel Plainview (played by Daniel Day-Lewis) reaches the pinnacle of his success as an oil tycoon but descends into madness and isolation, leading to a violent confrontation with Eli Sunday (played by Paul Dano), a charismatic preacher.
Throughout the movie, Plainview relentlessly pursues wealth and power in the oil business, ruthlessly exploiting land and people to achieve his goals. Meanwhile, Eli, a fervent evangelical preacher, challenges Plainview’s authority and morality, leading to a tense and contentious relationship between the two men.
In the final moments of the film, Plainview’s descent into madness becomes evident as he becomes increasingly paranoid and unhinged. He has achieved great wealth but is consumed by loneliness and despair, estranged from his family and society.
Eli reappears, seeking financial assistance from Plainview to save his church from foreclosure. Plainview agrees to help but humiliates Eli in front of his congregation, forcing him to renounce his faith and admit that he is nothing but a false prophet.
In a fit of rage, Plainview violently murders Eli, symbolizing the ultimate triumph of greed and corruption over faith and morality. The film ends with Plainview sitting alone in his mansion, surrounded by his wealth but utterly isolated and tormented by his inner demons.
Through its exploration of themes such as capitalism, religion, and the corrupting influence of power, “There Will Be Blood” offers a dark and haunting portrayal of the American dream gone awry. The ending of the film leaves viewers with a profound sense of unease and moral ambiguity, as they contemplate the consequences of unchecked ambition and the cost of human ambition.