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The Master

Play trailer Poster for The Master R 2012 2h 16m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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85% Tomatometer 257 Reviews 62% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
Freddie Quell (Joaquin Phoenix) is a troubled, boozy drifter struggling with the trauma of World War II and whatever inner demons ruled his life before that. On a fateful night in 1950, Freddie boards a passing boat and meets Lancaster Dodd (Philip Seymour Hoffman), the charismatic leader of a religious movement called the Cause. Freddie tries hard to adhere to Dodd's weird teachings and forms a close bond with his mentor, even as other members of Dodd's inner circle see him as a threat.
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The Master

The Master

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Critics Consensus

Smart and solidly engrossing, The Master extends Paul Thomas Anderson's winning streak of challenging films for serious audiences.

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Critics Reviews

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J. Hoberman ARTINFO.com 02/25/2019
The main thing is that The Master is so unlike anything else in its seriousness and so admirable in its vitality that one has to support it. Go to Full Review Deborah Ross The Spectator 09/01/2018
It is all so enigmatic and underwritten I felt rather shut out. A 'challenging' film is one thing, but one that actually slams the door in your face is quite another, as well as rude. Go to Full Review Nick Pinkerton Sight & Sound 04/09/2018
Towering standalone moments all, they are certainly impressive when first encountered, though they wobble perilously the longer one looks at them...It isn't a great film - but it has a great film rattling around inside it. Go to Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Feb 16
2.5/4
"You are passionate … but you do not persuade." That snatch of dialogue from Amadeus might as well be the slogan for Paul Thomas Anderson’s The Master. Go to Full Review Ezequiel Obregón EscribiendoCine May 26
10/10
With its sordid humor and lack of heroics, The Master is likely to be viewed as a bitter tale about faith in American society, oscillating between pragmatism and profit. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Fico Cangiano CineXpress Podcast 03/28/2025
4.5/5
The electricity between actors Joaquin Phoenix and Philip Seymour Hoffman is off the charts in this complex study of power, loyalty and contradictions. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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andrea C @Charst Apr 13 Film che porta in dote una delle trame più complesse ed originali degli ultimi anni se si parla di prodotti per la grande produzione. Non si può dire che il film sia accessibile a tutti perchè effettivamente si fatica davvero a comprendere la spinta e la posizione di alcuni personaggi soprattutto secondari. Ad elevare il film ci pensa l'incredibile cast che con performance eccelse convogliano tutta l'attenzione sugli sguardi, sui dialoghi e sulle reazioni imprevedibili che si susseguono lungo tutta la durata della pellicola. Il finale non lascia del tutto soddisfatti in quanto spegne un po' quella frizzantezza data dall'imprevedibilità. Phoenix ed Hoffmann sono semplicemente fantastici. See more Alison L @RT56775296 Mar 30 A talented cast lost in a quagmire of a disjointed story that lingers but never gets anyplace. Phoenix tries to hard, with a variety of affectations, that are more for drama than than his character. Hoffman was a believable megalomanic and his passing was a loss to the film industry. I barely got through this film and would not recommend it. See more Viewer @M2c46 Feb 6 Anything Hoffman was in keeps me interested. Well acted, I just wish that he had held on and lived years longer. One of the best actors of all time. See more Zane T @ZaneThind Nov 29 A beautiful shot and masterfully acted film. It's a psychological drama that will make you feel depressed in the end. This is a slow burn so you're in for a ride. But whenever Hoffman is on screen he steals the show. See more Harry H. @Movies10 Oct 26 Idk for a film about a ptsd ridden WW2 veteran joining a cult i thought it would be more tense it was fine for one viewing but I dont plan on watching it again. See more Julian M. @Julian.mcclain Oct 9 Another gem for PTA. It warrants a second veiwing though; the rating could go up even more after. See more Read all reviews
The Master

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Cast & Crew

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Paul Thomas Anderson

Director

Joaquin Phoenix

Freddie Quell

Philip Seymour Hoffman

Lancaster Dodd

Amy Adams

Peggy Dodd

Laura Dern

Helen Sullivan

Jesse Plemons

Val Dodd

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The Master

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Movie Info

Synopsis Freddie Quell (Joaquin Phoenix) is a troubled, boozy drifter struggling with the trauma of World War II and whatever inner demons ruled his life before that. On a fateful night in 1950, Freddie boards a passing boat and meets Lancaster Dodd (Philip Seymour Hoffman), the charismatic leader of a religious movement called the Cause. Freddie tries hard to adhere to Dodd's weird teachings and forms a close bond with his mentor, even as other members of Dodd's inner circle see him as a threat.
Director
Paul Thomas Anderson
Producer
JoAnne Sellar, Daniel Lupi, Paul Thomas Anderson, Megan Ellison
Screenwriter
Paul Thomas Anderson
Distributor
Weinstein Co.
Production Co
Ghoulardi Film Company, Joanne Sellar, Annapurna Pictures
Rating
R (Language|Graphic Nudity|Sexual Content)
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 14, 2012, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Jul 12, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA)
$16.2M
Runtime
2h 16m
Sound Mix
Datasat, Dolby Digital