Joaquin Phoenix Returns To Real Acting In 'The Master' Trailer

Mystery has long swirled around Paul Thomas Anderson's "The Master." Is it a thinly veiled biopic of L. Ron Hubbard, controversial founder of the Church of Scientology? Is it a satire of the same? Did the Church—and a secret cabal of Hollywood power-players, including known Scientologist Tom Cruise—try to sabotage the film's production? Or is all that just ridiculous Hollywood conspiracy theory hogwash/clever viral marketing? Can't a film dramatically dissect a curiously powerful, enigmatic cult-like father figure without everybody assuming it's about Scientology?

The film's first teaser, posted above, offers no answers. What it does offer, however, is firm proof that Joaquin Phoenix isn't crazy, and that his "retirement" from acting was, well, just the bad joke that we all know it was already. And let's thank the stars for that. He remains a confounding yet undeniably compelling screen presence. His character's inexplicable memory loss? His impish laugh? His bewildering lip curl? Color us intrigued.

What do you think, Hitlisters? Where do you come down on "The Master's" rumored pro-/anti-Scientolog​ist themes? (No comment.) Impressed by the clip's ambience, and Phoenix's performance? (Yes.) Waiting with baited breath for the next trailer, hopefully featuring Phillip Seymour Hoffman as the title character? (We are.) Check out the trailer, posted above, and let us know in the comments...