There Will Be Blood has the Greatest Final Line in Western Movie History

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While Westerns aren’t as widely popular now as they were during the time of legendary directors like John Ford and Sergio Leone, the genre has still seen some fantastic films made recently. In fact, Westerns have been making a comeback over the last few decades, and a truly exceptional film considered one of the best ever was released nineteen years ago.

Paul Thomas Anderson’s film There Will Be Blood is a stunning Western set in early 1900s California, focusing on a ruthless oilman. Released in 2007, it’s considered one of the best American films of the last quarter-century and features a truly unforgettable closing line.

There Will Be Blood Is A Gripping Old West Morality Tale

Paul Thomas Anderson’s There Will Be Blood doesn’t fit the traditional mold of a Western, but it’s still firmly rooted in the genre. While it lacks the typical shootouts and horseback riding, the film explores classic Western themes like greed, the pursuit of wealth, and the corruption of values. It’s a powerful story about how ambition and capitalism can triumph over morality, powerfully portrayed by Daniel Day-Lewis and a strong supporting cast.

The film There Will Be Blood charts the journey of Daniel Plainview, from humble beginnings to becoming a powerful figure in the early oil industry. It also examines how capitalism and religion are linked, portraying both as systems that can be used to control people and allow others to profit. Daniel Day-Lewis delivers a stunning performance, and he’s brilliantly matched by Paul Dano as Eli Sunday, a charismatic preacher, in what is considered one of the best supporting roles of the 21st century.

Throughout the film There Will Be Blood, the two main characters frequently clash, and their intense rivalry is captivating. As the story unfolds, Daniel Plainview becomes increasingly consumed by greed and loses his moral compass, even neglecting the well-being of his son, who is sadly deafened in an accident. Plainview’s lack of empathy leads to professional success, but ultimately leaves him isolated, exhausted, and dependent on alcohol – a fitting end for someone so driven by avarice.

The Final Scene of There Will Be Blood Is An Era-Defining Confrontation With One of The Greatest Ending Lines

Nearly twenty years later, Daniel Plainview is living a wealthy but isolated life in a huge mansion. His son comes to ask for help with a business venture, but Daniel cruelly rejects and insults him. Shortly after, Eli Sunday arrives – the two former enemies haven’t seen each other in years – and their ensuing encounter is one of the most intense and unsettling scenes ever filmed.

Eli approaches Daniel hoping for money and tries to convince him to invest in a potentially lucrative business. However, Daniel already secretly profited from the land Eli is offering, and he cruelly mocks Eli, pushing him to abandon his principles. The situation escalates into violence, and Daniel brutally kills Eli with a bowling pin from his home bowling alley.

The relationship ends tragically, marking a point of no return for Daniel and revealing how far he’s fallen morally. He’s isolated everyone, amassed wealth he can’t enjoy, and finally defeated his enemy. But all that remains is a meaningless life, and he understands that. Immediately after killing Eli, Daniel’s servant checks on him. Drained and covered in blood, Daniel simply replies, “I’m finished.”

The film, and especially Daniel Plainview’s journey, powerfully illustrate the emptiness of chasing wealth at the expense of everything else. Despite achieving all his goals, Daniel remains unfulfilled, ultimately left with nothing and no one. His success feels hollow because he has no meaningful connections or purpose left. It’s a tragic ending to a heartbreaking story, and that final line continues to resonate with audiences almost twenty years later.

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2026-01-13 07:10