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The Power of the Dog
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Bad Girl Creek
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Brightstar
Cross City Films Cross City Films
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The Power of the Dog

2021 127 min ★ 6.7 (3,028) Released
Drama Western

A domineering but charismatic rancher wages a war of intimidation on his brother's new wife and her teen son, until long-hidden secrets come to light.

Original title
The Power of the Dog
Language
EN
Country
AU
Budget
Revenue
Reviews & Ratings 6
B

beyondthecineramadome

Jun 20, 2022 · via TMDB

★ 8.0

Full review: <a>https://www.tinakakadelis.com/beyond-the-cinerama-dome/2021/12/28/not-quiet-on-the-western-front-the-power-of-the-dog-review<a> The film centers on two brothers, Phil (Benedict Cumberbatch) and George Burbank (Jesse Plemmons) in 1925 Montana. They’re wealthy ranchers who are polar opposites. Where Phil is brutal and ruthless, George is kind and quiet. Their relationship splinters when George marries Rose, a widow (Kirsten Dunst). Campion makes you believe that this is where the meat of the movie will be, in this fractured brotherly relationship, and for a while it is. It’s a fascinating look at two versions of masculinity at odds with each other in a world that could be considered the peak of masculinity. I couldn’t help but think of Kelly Reichardt’s First Cow and Andrew Haigh’s Lean on Pete, two lovely movies grappling with the same concept of masculinity in the harshness of the American West.

CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

Mar 28, 2022 · via TMDB

★ 6.0

Brothers "Phil" (Benedict Cumberbatch) and "George" (Jesse Plemons) are the bit chalk-and-cheese brothers who own a successful cattle ranch. On a trip to town, "Phil" upsets the owner of the hotel "Rose" (an effective Kirstin Dunst) after he rather cruelly insults her extremely svelte teenage son "Peter" (Kodi Smit-McPhee) who had taken some care to prepare intricate paper decorations for their dining table. We don't know how long "George" and "Rose" have been friends, but next thing we know they are married and the pretty unpleasant "Phil" sets out to make her life as miserable as possible. He is never overtly cruel - there is no violence, but mental abuse that sends her seeking solace in the bottle. When her son joins them from school, he fixes him fairly and squarely in his sights too - introducing a hint of homo-eroticism and scheming to the last fifteen minutes that makes you sit up. Again, no action as such - there are no gunfights or fisticuffs, just a cleverly structured denouement that I felt fitting. The pace is really slow, the dialogue pretty laconic, Cumberbatch's accent is all over the place and the score becomes wearisome after a while - the sounds of the constant high pitched violins really did begin to grate. It is a lovely film to look at, plenty of attention to the detail, but it is altogether just a bit so what.

Adriano

Adriano

Jan 7, 2022 · via TMDB

★ 4.0

The ending does not match the pacing of the the entire film at all. It's almost abrupt - and not in a terribly satisfying way. It could have been 30 minutes shorter if it did less artful shots of wheat or a horse standing. Or at least for less time. It doesn't even really say anything interesting about it either.

Giovanni

Giovanni

Dec 28, 2021 · via TMDB

★ 10.0

**Full Explanation and Analysis at Spotamovie.com - The Story** - The Power of the Dog, a book written by Thomas Savage in 1967, inspires the film. It’s not your typical western. No guns are involved, but something more complex and psychological. Located in Montana in 1925, two wealthy and different brothers, George and Phil, own a ranch.Their lives change when they meet Rose, a widow, mum to Peter, a delicate but intelligent guy. Different personalities and interests generate a hostile environment for all of our characters. After the chaos, the dreamed balance may rise again, but, first, the story will become intense, engaging and exhausting.What will happen between them? Why George and Phil are different? And what is The Power of the Dog? It’s a complex film, full of symbolism, metaphors and psychology. It’s well-directed, excellently performed by the whole cast. And it’s not a case that, as we mentioned above, Benedict Cumberbatch and Kirsten Dunst are in nominations as best actors at the Golden Globe 2022. - **Analysis **here https://www.spotamovie.com/the-power-of-the-dog-explanation-and-review-2021-movie/

B

badelf

Dec 19, 2021 · via TMDB

★ 3.0

Jane Campion's direction is top-notch, beautifully shot by Ari Wegner, and Johnny Greenwood's score fits like a soft leather glove. But that script - oh so Hollywood and oh so boring!! I want my 127 minutes back.

M

Manuel São Bento

Dec 1, 2021 · via TMDB

★ 8.0

FULL SPOILER-FREE REVIEW @ https://www.msbreviews.com/movie-reviews/the-power-of-the-dog-spoiler-free-review "The Power of the Dog is a thought-provoking, deep study of (toxic) masculinity surrounded by exceptional performances and truly stunning cinematography (Ari Wegner). Jane Campion breaks her decade-long directing hiatus, returning with an unconventional take on the western genre packed with heavy, rich themes, all developed through emotionally powerful, extraordinary character arcs. Despite the occasionally dull pacing and underwhelming ending, the layered narrative holds numerous interesting topics that Benedict Cumberbatch and co. Approach in incredibly tense interactions through the lingering camera, minimal editing (Peter Sciberras), and contemplative music (Jonny Greenwood). The aimless first half might only be a first-watch issue, but nothing that profoundly hurts the overall piece. An awards contender that I definitely recommend watching, even more than once." Rating: B+

User reviews courtesy of TMDB.

Keywords 40
1920s 20th century aggressive alcoholic animal cruelty banjo based on novel or book brother brother relationship brothers bullying cigarette cowboy death of father drunkenness eroticism gay theme gender roles homoeroticism homosexuality hula hoop humiliation husband wife relationship lgbt marriage masculinity masturbation medical student mentor protégé relationship misogynist montana mother son relationship period drama ranch repressed sexuality sadism sexual tension sexuality tense widow woman director
Streaming
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Cast 31
Benedict Cumberbatch

Benedict Cumberbatch

Phil Burbank

Kodi Smit-McPhee

Kodi Smit-McPhee

Peter Gordon

Kirsten Dunst

Kirsten Dunst

Rose Gordon

Jesse Plemons

Jesse Plemons

George Burbank

Thomasin McKenzie

Thomasin McKenzie

Lola

Geneviève Lemon

Geneviève Lemon

Mrs. Lewis

Keith Carradine

Keith Carradine

The Governor

Frances Conroy

Frances Conroy

Old Lady

Kenneth Radley

Kenneth Radley

Barkeep

Sean Keenan

Sean Keenan

Sven

George Mason

George Mason

Cricket

Cohen Holloway

Cohen Holloway

Bobby

Alistair Sewell

Alistair Sewell

Jock

Alice Englert

Alice Englert

Buster

Bryony Skillington

Bryony Skillington

Queenie

Jacque Drew

Jacque Drew

Jeanie

Yvette Parsons

Yvette Parsons

Hettie

Daniel Cleary

Daniel Cleary

Jeanie's Friend

Tatum Warren-Ngata

Tatum Warren-Ngata

Libby

Yvette Reid

Yvette Reid

Clementine

Alice May Connolly

Alice May Connolly

Pearl

Stephen Lovatt

Stephen Lovatt

Doctor

Ella Hope-Higginson

Ella Hope-Higginson

Consuela

Edith Poor

Edith Poor

Tanya

Vadim Ledogorov

Vadim Ledogorov

Older Man

Peter Carroll

Peter Carroll

Old Gent

Alison Bruce

Alison Bruce

The Governor's Wife

Karl Willetts

Karl Willetts

Bill

David T. Lim

David T. Lim

Cook

Adam Beach

Adam Beach

Edward Nappo

Ian Harcourt

Ian Harcourt

Undertaker Assistant

Crew 15
Peter Long

Peter Long

Title Designer

Ari Wegner

Ari Wegner

Director of Photography

Jane Campion

Jane Campion

Director

Peter Sciberras

Peter Sciberras

Editor

Nikki Barrett

Nikki Barrett

Casting

Nina Gold

Nina Gold

Casting

Carmen Cuba

Carmen Cuba

Casting Consultant

Simon Gillis

Simon Gillis

Executive Producer

Emile Sherman

Emile Sherman

Producer

Iain Canning

Iain Canning

Producer

Jane Campion

Jane Campion

Producer

Roger Frappier

Roger Frappier

Producer

Jonny Greenwood

Jonny Greenwood

Original Music Composer

Robert Mackenzie

Robert Mackenzie

Supervising Sound Editor

Jane Campion

Jane Campion

Writer

Gallery 114
Videos 26
Similar Movies 80
US Release Dates 12

Sep 4, 2021

Telluride Film Festival

Premiere

Oct 1, 2021

New York Film Festival

Premiere

Oct 8, 2021

Mill Valley Film Festival

Premiere

Oct 9, 2021

Hamptons International Film Festival

Premiere

Oct 15, 2021

Heartland International Film Festival / San Diego International Film Festival

Premiere

Oct 17, 2021

Chicago International Film Festival

Premiere

Oct 22, 2021

Newport Beach International Film Festival

Premiere

Oct 30, 2021

Montclair Film Festival / Virginia Film Festival

Premiere

Nov 11, 2021

AFI Fest

Premiere

Nov 17, 2021

R Theatrical (Limited)

Nov 20, 2021

Key West Film Festival

Premiere

Dec 1, 2021

Netflix

R Digital

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FISFiC Vol. 1

FISFiC Vol. 1

2011

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Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs

Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs

2015

Sign in to vote

Battle your watched movies head-to-head

Community Top Movies

🥇 Evil Dead II

Evil Dead II

1987 · 14 wins

🥈 The Dark Knight

The Dark Knight

2008 · 14 wins

🥉 Halloween

Halloween

1978 · 13 wins

#4 Final Destination

Final Destination

2000 · 12 wins

#5 Halloween II

Halloween II

1981 · 11 wins

Sign in to build your own ranking
0 Points
0/0 Correct
0 Streak

Playing as a guest — sign in to save your score and rank on the leaderboard.

Movie Trivia

Guess the movie from a clue — tagline, plot, cast and more. Pick from four posters.

What movie experience do you prefer?

Movie theater — theater popcorn with Icee/soda & maybe nachos 67%
At home — relaxed on your favorite couch or chair with whatever drinks & snacks are in the kitchen 33%
3 votes

What is your favorite movie genre?

Action 50%
Adventure 0%
Animation 0%
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Crime 0%
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