MovieWeb

the power of the dog (2021)

Charismatic rancher Phil Burbank inspires fear and awe in those around him. When his brother brings home a new wife and her son, Phil torments them until he finds himself exposed to the possibility of love.

the power of the dog
The Power of the Dog
R
Drama
Romance
Western

Release Date
December 1, 2021
Director
Jane Campion
Runtime
2hr 6min
Main Genre
Drama
Format
Streaming
Studio
Netflix, Cross City Films, BBC Films, Max Films International
Writers
Jane Campion , Thomas Savage
Tagline
What it means to be a man.

Summary

Severe, pale-eyed, handsome, Phil Burbank is brutally beguiling. All of Phil's romance, power and fragility is trapped in the past and in the land: He can castrate a bull calf with two swift slashes of his knife; he swims naked in the river, smearing his body with mud. He is a cowboy as raw as his hides. The year is 1925. The Burbank brothers are wealthy ranchers in Montana. At the Red Mill restaurant on their way to market, the brothers meet Rose, the widowed proprietress, and her impressionable son Peter. Phil behaves so cruelly he drives them both to tears, revelling in their hurt and rousing his fellow cowhands to laughter - all except his brother George, who comforts Rose then returns to marry her. As Phil swings between fury and cunning, his taunting of Rose takes an eerie form - he hovers at the edges of her vision, whistling a tune she can no longer play. His mockery of her son is more overt, amplified by the cheering of Phil's cowhand disciples. Then Phil appears to take the boy under his wing. Is this latest gesture a softening that leaves Phil exposed, or a plot twisting further into menace?

latest

jesse-plemons
These Are Jesse Plemons' Best Performances, Ranked

To celebrate Jesse Plemon's Best Supporting Actor nomination for The Power of the Dog, here's a look back at his best performances, ranked.

By 
ThePoweroftheDog
Benedict Cumberbatch Refused to Talk to His The Power of the Dog Co-Star Kirsten Dunst

Benedict Cumberbatch reveals intense on-set interaction with The Power of the Dog co-star Kirsten Dunst.

By 
Benedict Cumberbatch and Jesse Plemons in The Power of the Dog (2021)
Why The Power of The Dog is One of the Best Films on Netflix

Netflix’s The Power of the Dog may be one of the greatest films that has ever graced the streaming platform. Here's our thoughts on why.

By 
Elisabeth Moss in the handmaids outfit looks up
Elisabeth Moss Regrets Dropping Out of Power of the Dog But Has High Praise for Kirsten Dunst

Elisabeth Moss had to drop out of The Power of the Dog with her role later going to Kirsten Dunst.

By 
Sam Elliott
Sam Elliott Apologizes for The Power of the Dog Criticism: 'I Feel Terrible'

Sam Elliott says he didn't articulate his thoughts very well on The Power of the Dog and feels 'terrible' for the hurt that his words brought.

By 
Oscars 2022: Jane Campion Wins Best Director for The Power of the Dog

Jane Campion has taken the win for Best Director at the Academy Awards.

By 
Men on horseback in Power of the Dog
Oscars 2022: Pet Rescues to Receive $10k Every Time 'Power of the Dog' Is Mentioned

Pet brand Pawp will be making a huge donation to pet rescues of up to $1 million thanks to this year's Oscars favorite.

By 
Men on horseback in Power of the Dog
Here's What to Watch if You Liked The Power of the Dog

If you liked Jane Campion's critically acclaimed western The Power of the Dog, you should watch these movies next.

By 
Phil and Peter Talk in The Power of the Dog
The Power of the Dog: Did Peter Save his Mother to Spite Himself?

Peter had to choose between saving his mother from her path toward self-destruction or siding with his newfound mentor.

By 
Oscars
Should Movie Lovers Tune in to the 94th Academy Awards?

With awards cut from the live broadcast, a controversial contest, and notable snubs, should cinema lovers care about the 94th Oscars?

By 
jesse-plemons-the-power-of-the-dog
Jesse Plemons ‘Laughed’ When He Heard Sam Elliott’s Power of the Dog Criticism

Sam Elliott recently blasted The Power of the Dog and Jesse Plemons, who's nominated for an Oscar for his role in the film, couldn't help but laugh.

By 
The Power of the Dog Director Jane Campion Wins DGA Theatrical Feature Film Award

Jane Campion Wins DGA Theatrical Feature Film Award for The Power of the Dog

By 
Jane Campion Sounds Off on Sam Elliott's Power of the Dog Criticism

The Power of the Dog director had a calm but harsh response to Sam Elliott recently criticizing the acclaimed Netflix Western.

By 
power-of-the-dog-still
The 94th Academy Awards and Queer Representation

This year’s Oscar nominations have caused a lot of excitement in the queer community. Here’s to hoping that many of them will come to fruition.

By 
l-intro-1638540658
Benedict Cumberbatch Respectfully Disagrees With Sam Elliott on The Power of the Dog

Benedict Cumberbatch defended The Power of the Dog after Sam Elliott’s criticism of the film’s themes and its non-American director.

By 
Smit_McPhee_Power_Dog_2021_Netflix
These Are Kodi Smit-McPhee's Best Performances, Ranked

The Oscar-nominated The Power of the Dog actor might scoop up yet another trophy this award season. Here are his best roles to date.

By 
Sam Elliott
Sam Elliott Blasts The Power of the Dog and Director Jane Campion

Sam Elliott has some harsh words to say about Jane Campion and her Oscar-nominated, 'piece of s***' film The Power of the Dog.

By 
power of the dog
Why Jane Campion Deserves an Oscar for The Power of the Dog

Campion’s 8th feature is exquisitely crafted and framed, executed by a filmmaker at her fiercest, most razor-sharp, and unforgiving.

By 
A Week Away
These Are the Best New Movies Netflix Made in 2021

Netflix had just the right compliment for a year where many people stayed indoors, including these great original movies.

By 
Imitation Game Alan Turing
Best Benedict Cumberbatch Movies, Ranked

Benedict Cumberbatch has made a name for himself as one of the greatest actors of our time. Here's a look at his best movies.

By 
See more articles +