The Power of the Dog (2021)
Jane Campion’s The Power of the Dog is a masterful psychological Western that simmers with tension and subtext. Set in 1925 Montana, this 2021 Netflix gem unravels the complex dynamics of masculinity, repression, and power, delivering a film as beautiful as it is unsettling.
Benedict Cumberbatch stars as Phil Burbank, a charismatic yet cruel rancher whose veneer of rugged dominance hides deeper vulnerabilities. When his brother George (Jesse Plemons) marries Rose (Kirsten Dunst), a widowed innkeeper, and her sensitive son Peter (Kodi Smit-McPhee) enters their world, Phil’s hostility sets off a quiet battle of wills. Cumberbatch is magnetic, balancing menace and fragility, while Smit-McPhee’s understated performance reveals chilling depths. Dunst and Plemons bring heartbreaking nuance to their roles.
Campion’s direction is meticulous, using sweeping landscapes and tight close-ups to mirror the characters’ isolation and inner turmoil. Jonny Greenwood’s discordant score amplifies the unease, while the pacing—deliberately slow—builds dread with every glance and gesture. The cinematography, capturing Montana’s stark beauty, earned Ari Wegner an Oscar nomination.
The film’s strength lies in its ambiguity, peeling back layers of toxic masculinity and unspoken desire without spoon-feeding answers. Some viewers may find the deliberate pace and minimal dialogue challenging, and the climax, though brilliant, demands attention to catch its full weight. Still, it’s a rewarding puzzle for those who engage.
The Power of the Dog is a triumph of subtlety and craft, earning 12 Oscar nominations, including a Best Director win for Campion. It’s a film that lingers, urging reflection on power and pretense.