The Master
Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson7.185%62%
Freddie, a volatile, heavy-drinking veteran who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, finds some semblance of a family when he stumbles onto the ship of Lancaster Dodd, the charismatic leader of a new "religion" he forms after World War II.
Cast of The Master
The Master Ratings & Reviews
- stuhannafordJuly 21, 2025The very definition of a film critics fall over themselves to proclaim, whilst the average movie goer struggles to find entertainment in it. If, like me, you became drawn to it, via the loose Scientology links, in hopes of some sort of exposé, save your time and look for Going Clear (2015). The intrigue regarding the organisation, or ‘cause’ wasn’t distanced by the filmmakers, and with good reason… the subject matter on show is dull and repetitive. There’s simply very little substance, and suffers from incredible delusions of importance, much like our loosely linked Master. Long, drawn out scenes gave the feeling of uncomfortable silences, almost daring you to find alternative meaning from the quiet, but actually adds to the empty feeling at the core of the story. There is an early draft of Phoenix’s Joker, which feels flat in comparison. The only element that keeps the ship afloat, is yet another example of the extraordinary talent lost, Seymour-Hoffmann. The calm, erratic, caring, manipulative, decisive and uncertain duality of his character is captivating, and without his performance, it would be easy to begin processing daydreaming thoughts. It is a real process to get through.
- Rowan KrzysiakMarch 3, 2025This is a very painful watch and it's not because the film is bad, far from it. The film is engaging, the performances are hypnotic but as the protagonist's 'treatment' endures I felt I was starting to suffer also. There is all the required depth and quality that anyone could want her but the motivation to read it with clarity could well be a hurdle too far.
