Lancaster Dodd is a fictional character from the 2012 film The Master, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson. He is portrayed by actor Philip Seymour Hoffman and is depicted as a charismatic leader of a philosophical movement resembling Scientology. Dodd is known for his complex personality and controversial beliefs. In the film, Dodd's relationship with a troubled drifter named Freddie Quell, played by Joaquin Phoenix, serves as a central focus. The story explores themes of power, control, and the search for meaning, highlighting Dodd's influence over his followers and the challenges he faces in maintaining his authority.