The Master
A volatile postwar drifter finds temporary purpose inside a charismatic cult, where devotion and domination become inseparable.
Overview
A troubled drifter grapples with his demons and seeks belonging in a world of cults and chaos.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Dense
- Violence
- Mild
- brooding
- intense
- opaque
- focused cinephile viewing
- late night drama
What critics said
Critics broadly acclaimed the film as a challenging, superbly crafted drama distinguished by Paul Thomas Anderson’s direction and exceptional performances from Joaquin Phoenix, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Amy Adams.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Freddie Quell, psychologically adrift after military service, becomes dependent on Lancaster Dodd and the Cause for direction.
Lancaster leads the Cause while claiming it can cure illness and produce world peace through its teachings.
Freddie returns from the Navy unable to maintain work, relationships, sobriety, or emotional control.
The film’s carefully composed widescreen imagery and cool visual control oppose Freddie’s jagged behavior and the Cause’s coercive intimacy.
Films like The Master, and why
There Will Be Blood
Shared austere psychological drama, corrosive ambition, charismatic authority figure, and intense central performances.
The Tree of Life
Shared postwar American disillusionment, volatile male protagonist, formal ambition, and morally opaque character study.
Martha Marcy May Marlene
Shared cult dynamics, psychological trauma, spiritual manipulation, and unsettlingly intimate drama.
The Last Black Man in San Francisco
Shared challenging art-house drama, damaged outsider protagonist, and ambiguous master-disciple power relationship.
Movie Details
- Director
- Paul Thomas Anderson
- Release Date
- 2012-09-14
- Runtime
- 137 min
- Rating
- 7.1 / 10 (3427)
Cast
- Joaquin Phoenix
- Philip Seymour Hoffman
- Amy Adams
- Rami Malek
- Laura Dern
- Jesse Plemons
- Ambyr Childers
- Madisen Beaty
- Kevin J. O'Connor
- Patty McCormack
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, Lionsgate+ Amazon Channel, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Master about?
- A volatile postwar drifter finds temporary purpose inside a charismatic cult, where devotion and domination become inseparable.
- What is The Master like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Master as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as dense.
- Is The Master violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in The Master as mild.
- What did critics think of The Master?
- Critics broadly acclaimed the film as a challenging, superbly crafted drama distinguished by Paul Thomas Anderson’s direction and exceptional performances from Joaquin Phoenix, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Amy Adams.
- Which films are like The Master?
- Films with a similar feel include There Will Be Blood, The Tree of Life, Martha Marcy May Marlene, and The Last Black Man in San Francisco.
- How long is The Master?
- The Master runs 137 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Master?
- In United States, The Master streams on Amazon Prime Video, Lionsgate+ Amazon Channel, Amazon Prime Video with Ads.
