BIGSTAR

Here is the first teaser trailer for director Paul Thomas Anderson’s much-anticipated new film ‘The Master,’ starring Joaquin Phoenix (yes, he’s back), Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams, and Laura Dern. You might know Anderson from his other distinguished films such as ‘Boogie Nights,’ ‘Magnolia’ and ‘There Will Be Blood.’

While it’s still unproven, it’s been widely reported that Anderson’s film is some sort of thinly-veiled biopic inspired by the life of creepy Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard, and one could speculate that this trailer is drawing from Hubbard’s checkered career in the Navy. Very few artists have dared to use the religion of Scientology as material so this film should make some noise.

The plot centers on a religion known as “The Cause,” which seems to mirror the controversial principles of Scientology. Philip Seymour Hoffman’s character (who we don’t see in this trailer) starts a movement based on newfound religious principles shortly after World War II. By comparison, L. Ron Hubbard began promoting Scientology only seven years after the same war.

Also, music fans should note that Jonny Greenwood of Radiohead composed the eerie score for this, which makes sense since he also did the music for Anderson’s last film, ‘There Will Be Blood.’

Here’s the trailer: