History Film / PhantomThread

* AmbiguousDisorder: Reynolds' behavioral patterns bear a striking resemblance to those found in people with Asperger's Syndrome. He is obsessively committed to his work and relies on a carefully constructed routine to get through each day, becoming irritated whenever it is interrupted. He has NoSocialSkills and is averse to being in large crowds. He is also hypersensitive to sound and small details. [[spoiler:There's also his willingness to be poisoned by Alma a second time, which indicates some level of masochism on his part.]] Some have also speculated Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), as he exhibits an anxiety caused by his routine needs not being met — the main issue not shown in films that depict the disorder.

* FashionDesigner: Reynolds is this, running one of the finest couture houses in the world.

''Phantom Thread'' is a 2017 drama film written and directed by Creator/PaulThomasAnderson, starring Creator/DanielDayLewis (in what is his final role before retirement), Creator/LesleyManville, and Vicky Krieps.

''Phantom Thread'' is a 2017 drama film written and directed by Creator/PaulThomasAnderson, starring Creator/DanielDayLewis (in what is his final role), Creator/LesleyManville, and Vicky Krieps.

''Phantom Thread'' is a 2017 drama film written and directed by Creator/PaulThomasAnderson, starring Creator/DanielDayLewis (in what is his final role), Lesley Manville, and Vicky Krieps.

* LadyDrunk: Barbara Rose, who complains about how ugly she looks even in a Woodcock dress, then passes out drunk at a party while wearing said dress.

* ImagineSpot: [[spoiler:After Reynolds finally gives in to her requests about the relationship, she imagines the two of them having a child, along with a more substantial role for her at the fashion house.]]
* LadyDrunk: Barbra Rose, who complains about how ugly she looks even in a Woodcock dress, then passes out drunk at a party while wearing said dress.

* {{Catchphrase}}: Cyril's "Let me rephrase that".

* ClusterFBomb: Reynolds goes into a flurry of dropping f-bombs when the word "chic" is used to describe current fashion.

* DoubleStandardAbuseFemaleOnMale:Downplayed:[[spoiler:While Alma poisoning Reynolds would play out quite differently were the genders reversed, it is still treated as messed up in the film.]]

* DoubleStandardAbuseFemaleOnMale: Downplayed:[[spoiler:While Alma poisoning Reynolds would play out quite differently were the genders reversed, it is still treated as messed up in the film.]]

* AmbiguouslyGay: When Alma asks Reynolds why he's not married, he says he's a "ConfirmedBachelor" and that marriage would "make [him] deceitful". In the time period in which the film takes place, he's pretty much spelling it out for her. Later events may be a case of [[spoiler:IfItsYouItsOkay]].

''Phantom Thread'' is a 2017 drama film written and directed by Creator/PaulThomasAnderson, starring Creator/DanielDayLewis (in what is reportedly his final role), Lesley Manville, and Vicky Krieps.

-->-- '''Alma''' to '''Reynolds Woodcock'''

* BerserkButton: Do '''not''' use the word "chic" around Reynolds. See ClusterFBomb.

* AmbiguouslyGay: When Alma asks Reynolds why he's not married, he says he's a "ConfirmedBachelor" and doesn't want to "live a lie". In the time period in which the film takes place, he's pretty much spelling it out for her. Later events may be a case of [[spoiler:IfItsYouItsOkay]].

* PowerDynamicsKink: [[spoiler:When Alma learns to poison Reynolds so she can make him well again and put him in his place (because WeaknessTurnsHerOn), both Reynolds and Alma seem to develop a mutual sexual attraction to Alma (non sexually) taking control.]]

* DoubleStandardAbuseFemaleOnMale: Downplayed:[[spoiler:While Alma poisoning Reynolds would play out quite differently were the genders reversed, it's treated as messed up in the film.]]

* DoubleStandardAbuseFemaleOnMale: [[spoiler:Alma poisoning Reynolds would play out quite differently were the genders reversed.]]

* LoveEpiphany: Reynolds seems to have this about Alma when she get just as outraged as him--if not ''moreso''. If anything, it's ''she'' who gets ''him'' riled up --over a customer's disreputable behavior while wearing one of his dresses.

* AmbiguouslyGay: When Alma asks Reynolds why he's not married, he says he's a "ConfirmedBachelor" and doesn't want to "live a lie". In the time period in which the film takes place, he's pretty much spelling it out for her. Later events may be a case of [[spoiler:IfItsYouItsOK]].

** [[ThePowerOfLove The importance of communication and relationships]].

* InterclassRomance: Reynolds is already a well established and wealthy dressmaker by the time he meets Alma, an immigrant waitress.

* MayDecemberRomance: Between Reynolds and Alma. The Countess he designs a wedding dress for appears to be slightly older than her husband also.

* RealitySubtext: It's difficult not to see parallels between Reynold's perfectionist tendencies and how seriously he takes his work and Daniel Day-Lewis' own attitude towards acting.

* DoubleStandardAbuseFemaleOnMale: [[spoiler:Let's be blunt here; if the genders of this story were reversed, women would be ''screaming'' hate about this film for presenting a relationship in which one party poisoning the other to make them vulnerable and assume control is a twisted-yet-sincere romantic relationship. Because it's a woman poisoning a man in a ''literal'' act of toxic love mixed with sadomasochistic overtones, people adore it; the complaints are universally claims that the film is celebrating "toxic masculinity".]]