Phantom Thread, Paul Thomas Annotated: In the Margins

Phantom Thread

Set in the world of London 1950s haute couture (“high dressmaking”), Phantom Thread (2017) is PTA’s only film shot entirely abroad. It provided the director—and audiences—an opportunity to consider how his prevailing themes of power dynamics in relationships, sexual urges and hunger, and art’s intersections with commerce play out in a setting much different from the San Fernando Valley that was so central to his earlier work.

Phantom Thread is also notable as PTA’s second collaboration with the enigmatic Daniel Day-Lewis. Here, he plays Reynolds Woodcock, a fussy fashion designer whose regimented way of life is thrown into disorder when he meets Alma Elson (Vicky Krieps). His new muse both resists his idiosyncratic demands and feeds his innermost desires in unusual ways. Darkly comedic and surprisingly romantic, Phantom Thread depicts what happens when two immovable personalities collide.

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A woman sitting in an armchair by a fire speaks to someone offscreen.

A man applies shaving cream to his face.

A man uses two brushes, one in each hand, to style his hair.

A man sits on a wooden stool and pulls a sock up to his knee.

A man stands and reaches for something hanging on his door.

A man pulls his pants on and tucks his shirt in, looking in a mirror offscreen.

A large building with a British flag over the door. The shutters behind a few of the many large windows begin to open.

A woman opens the shutters on a floor-to-ceiling window.

A woman opens the shutters on a floor-to-ceiling window, then walks across the room.

A woman walks into a room and turns on the lights.

A woman walks across the room while another woman pushes open the shutters on a large window.

A woman turns on the lights on a full-length mirror as the other woman departs.

A group of women chats in an alley as they file into the door.

A man walks into a bedroom, putting on glasses.

A man walks through a bedroom, picking up a notebook from a table before leaving.

A man greets three women as they ascend a staircase before going down the stairs himself.

Women file into a workshop with mannequins and fabrics.

A woman hangs a scarf and purse on a hook and dons a white lab coat.

A woman takes a dress jacket from a mannequin.

Two women lay dress jackets on a work table.

A man and woman sit at a breakfast table. The woman offers a basket of pastries to the man, who is sketching.

A woman offers a man a basket of pastries.

A man chews his breakfast and sketches, looking up briefly to speak to a woman.

A woman sets mail down in front of a man at a breakfast table.

A woman sits at the table, her own mail and glasses in hand.

A woman watches the others at the table.

A man and woman pour tea while another woman watches.

A woman gazes at a man offscreen before speaking to him.

A woman looks up from her breakfast at a woman offscreen.

A man speaks to a woman offscreen and sips from a mug.

A woman looks uneasily at a woman offscreen.

A woman opens the front door for a couple.

Two women greet each other with a kiss on the cheek.

A woman looks over her shoulder with a smile.

A woman looks upward as she walks upstairs.

A man extends his hand in greeting as he stands at the top of the stairs.

The back of a woman's dress gets clipped in place.

A pair of hands ties a ribbon into a bow.

A woman shows off her new dress with her back to the camera.

A woman puts on her glasses as a mam fixes her dres.

A woman looks at her self in the mirror.

A man inspects a woman in the dress he made.

A man and woman hug and smile at each other.

A woman smiles as a man walks offscreen.

A man gestures for a woman to show off her new dress.

A man and a woman sit down holding hands.

A shot of a man and woman fade into a woman looking over an indoor balcony.

A woman looks down over an indoor balcony.

A man and woman walk in front of a bright spotlight.

A woman looks down from a second-floor balcony.

A man opens the entrance door to a restaurant.

A man takes off his coat as he sits down at a restaurant table.

A man and woman sit at a table in the corner of a room.

A man stares at a woman a she speaks to him.

A man looks down as a woman speaks to him.

A shot of a man and woman fade into a car driving on a dark road.

A man approaches a building next to the gas station.

A man steps through the convenience store front door.

A man accompanies another man to his car parked at a gas station.

A shot of a man at a gas station fades into a shot of a seaside hotel.

A man sits alone at a restaurant table with a window overlooking the sea.

A waitress, carrying a tray, walks quickly through the restaurant, glimpsing a man offscreen.

A waitress picks up dishes from a table of customers.

A waitress glimpses behind her at a man offscreen.

A waitress leaves the restaurant sitting room, entering the kitchen.

A waitress exits the kitchen with a plate of toast.

A waitress approaches a customer's table.

A man smiles up at the waitress at his table.

A man wearing glasses smiles at a waitress's notepad while she takes his order.

A waitress brings a customer two plates full of food.

A waitress hands a customer a slip of paper.

A pair of hands hold a slip of paper that reads:

A man and woman drive in a car at night.

A woman eats from a spoon while smiling at a man sitting opposite her.

A man dips his pointer finger in a pot of custard.

A hand dips a red napkin in a glass of water.

A man wipes the lips of a woman with a napkin.

A man smiles at a woman sitting across from him.

A woman and man sit at a table in an empty restaurant.

A man crosses his hand over his chest toward his heart, while speaking to a woman sitting opposite him.

A man taps his chest while glancing up and talking.

Car headlights shine on a house's gated driveway.

People step out of a car parked in front of a house.

A wall separates a dimly-lit hallway and a door which opens into a bedroom.

A plain dress form stands in a designer's workshop.

A man and woman enter the front door of a home.

A man helps a woman take off her coat as dogs circle their legs.

A man enters a dimly-lit room as a woman follows.

A framed photo of a bride in a dark room.

A framed photo of a bride in a lighted room.

A man holds a framed photo in his hands as he stands talking to a woman.

A man sets his hands on a table adorned with photographs as he looks at a woman standing next to him.

A man is seated with his legs crossed, smiling at a person offscreen.

A woman smiles and stares at a man seated across from her.

A man sits with his legs crossed and his hands clasped toether.

A woman sits leaning forward and smiling.

A man sits stoically with his legs crossed.

A seated woman looks up at a man standing in front of her.

A man and woman hold hands as they exit a room.

A woman tries on a dress designed by the man helping her put it on.

A woman stares at a man as he puts her in a dress.

A pair of hands hooks together a corset.

A man examines a dress he's made on a woman who models it.

A man tests a blue fabric against a model.

A woman smiles, staring slightly offscreen.

A man compares dress fabrics on his model.

A man compares two pink fabrics on his model.

A woman looks over the shoulders of a designer.

A pair of hands sew a pink piece of fabric.

A man speaks to a woman with a sewing needle in his mouth.

A man fastens together the top of a dress.

A woman enters the atelier from the top of the stairs.

A woman stands nervously, staring ahead of her, as a man walks away.

A woman stalks across the atelier, speaking to another woman.

A woman looks around her in nervousness.

A woman reaches for something on a worktable while a man and woman stand on either side of her.

A woman sits down with a large notebook.

A man wraps a blue ribbon around a woman's waist.

A woman with glasses on looks down at her notebook.

A man begins crafting a new dress on a woman.

A woman looks up and gives a curt smile.

A woman jots something down in her notebook.

A man measures something with a tape measure.

A woman stands up straight as a man eyes her.

A man speaks to a woman as she looks visibly uncomfortable.

A part of someone's body is being measured.

A tape measure traces the top of a skirt to the floor.

A woman stands slouchily as a designer stands from the floor.

A woman speaks to another woman offscreen.

A woman sits cross-legged on a chair with a notebook.

A man enters a storage space and turns on the light.

A man examines a box on a shelf, putting on and taking off his glasses.

A man picks up a box off a shelf and walks away.

A man and woman walk on a hillside by the sea, holding hands.

A man and woman talk on a hillside by the sea, holding hands.

A man and woman walk down a cobblestone road, holding hands.

A man and woman enter a restaurant, and the man hands their coats to the host.

A man and woman walk through a restaurant.

A woman sits at a table in a restaurant.

A table is pushed against another, and a woman and server approach the seated couple.

A woman sits next to the couple and speaks with the man.

The woman sips her drink and looks around.

A woman follows a man up a flight of stairs.

A man and woman talk outside a bedroom door.

The man and woman go to separate rooms and close their doors.

A woman backs against her wall and looks around.

A woman stands still in a moonlit room while a man kneels behind her, pinning the hem of her full skirt.

A woman stands uneasily in a fancy dress while others study her.

The remaining couple bicker, an employee standing behind them.

Two young woman approach four people eating in a restaurant.

A man speeds down cobblestone roads, a woman smiling at him from the passenger seat.

A man sketches at a breakfast table, and a woman bends to kiss his cheek before sitting down.

As one woman seats herself, the other acknowledges her courteously.

The man pauses his sketching as the woman begins loudly buttering toast.

The other woman fixes her hair nervously.

The woman continues loudly preparing her breakfast.

The man takes a large bite of a cinammon roll.

Two women sit opposite one another at a breakfast table.

One woman purses her lips in discomfort before speaking to the other.

One woman glares at the other before speaking.

One woman sits at the table as the other leaves.

A piece of white lace fabric is laid over purple fabric.

A woman rests her head on her hands as she looks to the side.

A man holds pieces of fabric up to the chest of a woman.

A woman in a pink ballgown sits on a bench in an elegant room.

A woman poses in a pink ballgown with her backside in front of the camera.

A woman poses in a ballgown for a photoshoot with crew members surrounding the set.

A man watches as a woman fixes the dress on a model posing in the background.

A woman smiles down while posing in a ballgown.

A man sits on the ground, smiling up at a model.

A man stands up while a woman smiles at him.

A woman glances out of a door frame into a darkened hallway.

A woman knocks on a closed hallway door.

A woman walks up stairs carrying a tea tray.

A woman stares at another woman entering a doorway.

A woman puts on a red dress in a crowded dressing room.

A woman removes a red cloth from her face.

A man speaks to a woman in a crowded room.

A woman applies makeup in a crowded dressing room.

A man gazes at a woman offscreen while a face in the foreground remains blurry.

A woman clasps a necklace around another woman's neck.

A woman prepares to walk through a curtained hallway.

A woman enters a room of seated spectators.

A man ties the strings of a coat on a fashion model.

A man leans to look out of a door's peephole.

A woman glances at a door with a peephole.

An eye illuminated by a small, circular light.

A woman gives a knowing smile as she models a dress.

A woman walks down a hallway toward a dressing room.

A man and woman talk to each other in a crowded dressing room.

A woman laughs as she undresses in a dressing room.

A man readjusts a hat on a woman's head.

A woman gets undressed in a crowded dressing room.

A woman models an ensemble while displaying a card with the number

A group of spectators sit watching the fashion show.

A man fixes a model's outfit in a dressing room.

A woman models a dress as a haze envelopes the showroom.

A woman models a dress while displaying a card with the number

A seated woman smiles up at a model walking by.

A man and woman ready a model to enter the showroom.

A man yells frantically at figures offscreen.

A woman looks at a man as they sit in a stationary car.

A woman stands at a man's bedside holding his hand.

A woman smiles as she talks to a man offscreen.

A man and woman lay together in bed as they hold each other.

A woman gazes up at the man she is laying in bed with.

A shot of a woman fades into an isolated house.

A woman carries a tea tray to a man working in his atelier.

The woman exits the atelier while the man continues to work.

A woman crouches down to cut some mushrooms off of the forest floor.

A woman stands in a kitchen brushing the dirt off of a mushroom.

An embroidered rose with a needle puncturing the fabric.

A woman embroiders a cloth while a man sits opposite her on a couch.

A woman chews food while looking at another woman seated across from her.

A woman stares at another woman seated across from her.

A woman smiles at another woman seated across from her.

A woman looks down as she takes a sip of tea.

A trio of people are seated around a table for breakfast.

A woman speaks pointedly to a man offscreen.

A woman guides two visitors up a flight of stairs.

A woman stumbles giddily up a flight of stairs as a man tries to steady her and an older woman follows behind.

A woman kisses the cheek of a man in greeting.

A woman drops a pear necklace into a bag held by another woman.

A woman places jewelry into an opened purse as woman stand around her.

A woman distressingly places a hand to her temple as a man adjusts the dress he alters on her.

A woman stares up at a man altering the dress she wears.

A seated woman smiles at an interviewer as two men sit on either side of her.

A man scratches his head as a woman gazes to people offscreen.

A woman turns her head to listen to the man seated behind her.

A man stares out a window and a woman stands next to him as a camera flash goes off.

A bright camera flash goes off on a couple seated on a couch.

A trio seated on a couch are surrounded by reporters.

A man kisses a woman as a camera flash goes off.

A woman pulls at the dress she wears in distress, seated at a table with a man and woman on either side.

A man and woman sit at a party table, glaring at someone offscreen.

A woman passes out, facedown at the table she sits at.

A man and woman sit and stare annoyed at a person offscreen.

Two men help lift a woman from her chair as she is passed out.

A trio of men help carry a woman who has passed out.

A woman speaks, wearing a look of concern.

A woman speaks to a man wearing a blank expression.

A woman stands from her chair, taking the hand of a man.

An older woman looks through a hotel door's peephole.

A woman opens the door to the unhappy faces of a man and woman.

An older woman speaks to a man and woman at her hotel door.

A man and woman stand on either side of a doorway as another woman passes through.

A man stands imposingly in a doorway holding a woman's clutch as an older woman walks away.

Two women walk through a hotel room as a man stands in a doorway.

A woman enters another woman's hotel bedroom.

A woman attempts to lift a woman passed out on a hotel bed.

A woman rolls over a woman passed out on a hotel bed.

A woman unzips the dress of an unconscious woman.

A woman takes off the dress of an unconscious woman.

A man steps out into a hotel room entryway as another man stands in the doorway.

A woman speaks angrily to another woman.

A man with a gown slung over his shoulder walks down a dimly lit street with a woman.

A man with a gown slung over his shoulder kisses a woman in front of a shop.

A woman gazes up into the eyes of a man.

A woman eats at a dining table while smiling at people across the room.

A man and woman discuss plans while stading in a kitchen.

A man speaks to a woman in another room as he puts on his bow tie.

A woman stares at a man seated across from her.

A car with a Belgian flag pulls up to the front of a townhouse.

A group of people arrive at a townhome, greeting a man and a woman.

A woman greets and shakes the hands of the staff of a fashion house.

A woman turns away from staff lining a hall to greet her.

A woman stares as another woman walks away.

A group of people have tea and talk in a sitting room.

A woman glares at another woman offscreen while helping a seamstress.

A woman smokes a cigarette, sitting at her desk.

A woman looks up from her desk to a woman standing in front of it.

A woman smiles as she speaks to another woman across a desk.

A woman stares at another woman offscreen.

A woman's face falls as she speaks to another woman.

The staff of a house leaves as two women watch on.

A woman shuts a door as she faces another woman.

A woman stares out an upper-floor window, looking down at a man walking on a dimly-lit street.

A man looks around his home for its occupants.

A woman stands at the top of a staircase, looking down at a man at the bottom.

A woman smiles down from the top of a staircase.

A woman's face falls as she stands at the top of a staircase.

A man lowers his head and begins to ascend a staircase.

A man leans against the wall of a staircase as he looks up at a woman.

A man and woman stand facing each other on a stairacse.

A woman's head rests on her fist as she sits at a dinner table.

A man walks down the stairs wearing pajamas and a blazer, carrying a book.

A woman watches as a man offscreen enters the dining room for dinner.

A hand drops a lemon peel in a martini glass.

A pair of hands pours melted butter over a plate of asparagus.

A hand swirls a piece of asparagus in melted butter.

A woman looks up at a man seated across from her.

A man speaks angrily at a woman across from him.

A man yells at a woman sitting across from him.

A woman argues tearfully with a man across from her.

A man throws accusations at a woman across from her.

A woman grabs at the dress she's wearing.

A woman pushes out her chair to stand up from the dining table.

Edible and Poisonous Mushrooms. What to eat and what to avoid

woman scoops ground up mushroom into tiny vessle

Man looks at wedding dress, assistants watch

Man clutches onto mannequin, assistants watch

Man walks up the stairs grabbing his stomach

Man sits on bed with head in hands, woman supports hum

Man's purple socks in bed, woman gripping his foot

Man, laying down, and woman at his bedside hold hands

Woman hugs man in bed, other woman watches

Woman exists room, other woman sees her out

Two women with their heads facing camera, looking inside room

A man sits at a table reading a magazine and smoking a cigarette

Man with concerned expression speaks to woman

Man and woman speak, woman goes up stairs

Man lays in bed while women and doctor stand above him

Two women and one man stand over man in bed

Woman stands over men in bed, holds his hands

A man and two women stand in front of door

Woman closes door and looks behind her at other woman

fingers hold onto upside down dress label

Fingers hold onto dress label, the label reads

Woman in wedding dress stands by the door ominously

man in bed looks up at woman in wedding dress

Woman stands in front of the door, woman in wedding dress stands next to her unnoticed

Woman places something on desk, wedding dress woman stands behind her

Top of mannequin with wedding dress center frame. Man peeking out from room in back left

Person lays on the couch in green blanket, wedding dress left of frame

Man kisses the woman on the couch's feet

Woman and man sit on the couch, facing each other and holding hands

Man and woman stand in front of officiant, two guests' back face the camera

Man and woman face each other, officiant in between them

Man and woman look at each other, guests watch around them

A man and woman sit eating breakfast on a balcony in Switzerland.

A woman eats a bowl of yogurt on an outdoor balcony.

A man stares at a woman eating offscreen.

A ski resort in the midst of snowy mountains.

A woman leans down to speak to a seated man.

A man watches a woman as she walks away from him.

A man sits in a chair overlooking a Swiss mountain.

A shot of a man in the Swiss mountains is overlaid by a shot of snow falling.

A shot of a man and woman walking down a staircase is overlaid with a shot of snow falling.

A man and woman walk down a staircase decorated for Christmas.

A man and woman grab glasses of champagne from a waiter.

A large group of people are seated around a dining table for a candlelight dinner.

A man watches as a woman eats a piece of food off of her fork.

A woman gazes at a man offscreen while another man speaks to her.

A woman and man play a game of backgammon.

A man looks at a woman seated across from him.

A woman looks down as she plays backgammon.

A man and woman play a game of backgammon.

A man sits with his arms crossed looking at a woman.

A woman whispers in a man's ear as another woman approaches.

A man and woman watch as another woman exits the room.

A woman pouts at a man seated across from her.

A woman gestures with her hand as she speaks to a man.

A woman looks at a man sitting across from her.

A man and a woman sit at a small table near a home's staircase.

A man looks up from the table as a woman stomps up the stairs.

A woman walks down the stairs in a purple gown.

A man peeks his head out from a doorway to watch a woman walk out of the house.

A pair of hands sketches a dress in ink.

A man stands sadly in front behind his front door.

A man passes through a doorway in his house.

A man searches a crowded dance hall from an upper balcony.

A man searches a crowded dance hall from an upper balcony as balloons drop.

A person in a dog costume barrels into a crowd of people.

A woman gets caught in a panicked crowd.

A man walks around a dance hall's second floor balcony.

A woman looks around frantically in a panicked crowd.

A man ducks, narrowly missing a hit to the head.

A man rubs his face in frustration as he stands in front of an angry woman.

A man and woman stare at each other angrily.

A man tries to tug a woman as he stalks off, but she tries to plant her feet firmly.

A man pulls a woman behind him through a crowd.

A woman holds up a glass of liquid in a cheerful room of partygoers.

Man sits with head in his hand, looking down

Man looks toward offscreen, woman looks at man, another woman in the back looks forward toward camera

Two seamstresses hellp woman try on dress while man and woman watch

Man exits room, two women flank his sides

Two women's faces, one behind the other as she helps with dress fitting

Woman holds green fabric flower to dress

Man sits angrily at desk across from woman

Man sits with hands together in front of his face

Woman looks at man, heavily obscured by man's back

Man looks down, woman enters door behind him

Man looks angry as woman behind him approaches

Man angrily turns his head toward woman behind him

Man looks angry as woman behind him leaves with her hands behind her back

Woman looks at man, her expression is hard to read

Woman stands in the woods holding a brown basket

Man sits in chair looking up from his book, empty kitchen table covered in bowls and glasses is in front of him

Man continues looking at woman in kitchen from his seat

Man looks up at omelette on kitchen table from his chair

Woman pours water dramatically as man watches

Man smells holds omelette up to his nose as woman watches

Man holds fork and knife in his hands as woman watches

Woman kisses man while they sit in bathroom

Woman looks at man while holding his arm

A man walks up to a home's front entrance.

A woman exits her front door to shake the hands of a visitor.

A woman speaks to a man seated across from her.

A woman speaks to a man seated across from her offscreen.

A man gets his ear looked at by a doctor.

A woman looks at a man sitting across from her offscreen.

A man gets his mouth checked by a doctor.

A man blows a kiss to a woman offscreen.

A shot of a woman smiling fades into a shot of a woman pushing a stroller through a park.

A woman pushes a stroller through a park.

A trio of people stand and sit around a park bench with a stroller.

A woman pushes a stroller while sitting on a park bench.

A couple dances on an empty dancefloor covered in balloons and the remnants of a grand party.

Couples dance across a sparse dance floor at the end of a party.

A woman tailors an outfit on a model, carrying a needle between her teeth.

A man rests his head in a woman's lap as they sit on the couch.

A man rests his head in a woman's lap as she cradles his face.

A woman looks down at a man offscreen, smiling.

Credits over a shot of a man tailoring a woman's dress.