Last time I watched I had partaken in a little THC and found myself focusing on two main things…which I guess are the two biggest themes of the film.

1. Plainview vs Eli
This power struggle is amazing to watch. Both characters are after the same thing albeit through very different means. These two are not that different. It could be argued that Daniel just wants money/power and to be mostly left alone whereas Eli wants money/power AND a following. He wants the adoration and validation from a congregation. For me that made see Daniel more favorably. Daniel's focused pursuit forces him to the church when Bandy only agrees to sell/lease on the condition that Daniel donates to the church AND ask for forgiveness of his sins.

One of my favorite scenes and just done exceptionally well. Eli is relishing this opportunity to put Daniel in his place. Daniel however does appear to be genuinely crying out for "abandoning his boy". Daniel Day Lewis is incredible. Pay attention here. Eli gets his moment but immediately after Daniel confronts him in the corner. There is no dialogue but you can clearly see Daniel saying something to Eli and when he walks away Eli looks full of regret and fear. The audience is left wondering what exactly was said but knowing full well it was Daniel being Daniel. Very clever by the filmmakers.

2. Daniel and H.W.
Daniel clearly has some issues stemming from childhood. And although H.W. wasn't his biological son, I think he truly loved him. It might have started out as a business gimmick, but there are moments that you can see great compassion from Daniel. I think he saw him as his own. The third act is tough when he spews all kinds of vitriol to H.W. Once he decides to go out on his own. But I think Daniel is lashing out as it triggers some abandonment issues from his own childhood that were touched on earlier in the film.