SummaryCharismatic rancher Phil Burbank (Benedict Cumberbatch) inspires fear and awe in those around him. When his brother (Jesse Plemons) brings home a new wife (Kirsten Dunst) and her son (Kodi Smit-McPhee), Phil torments them until he finds himself exposed to the possibility of love.
Directed By:Jane Campion
Written By:Jane Campion, Thomas Savage
The Power of the Dog
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
89
User score
Generally Favorable
6.6
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Top Cast
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
98% Positive
57 Reviews
57 Reviews
2% Mixed
1 Review
1 Review
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Jan 28, 2022
100
Campion reveals her characters slowly, drawing out crucial details that we should have seen all along with a subtly that will make repeat watches richly rewarding. It’s a triumph. A ten-year wait for her next film would be too much.
Nov 15, 2021
100
With The Power of the Dog, Campion has crafted a contemporary Western masterpiece that turns on the same pacing and style of 50-year-old films. She takes her time, letting the story, based on the 1967 novel by Thomas Savage, reveal itself in languid style.
User score
Generally Favorable
63% Positive
293 Ratings
293 Ratings
19% Mixed
88 Ratings
88 Ratings
18% Negative
84 Ratings
84 Ratings
Apr 30, 2025
10
The Power of the Dog là phim tâm lý sâu sắc về nam tính độc hại, cô đơn và sự trả thù tinh tế trong bối cảnh miền Tây nước Mỹ.
Dec 5, 2022
10
Stunning film. Campion's direction was brilliant, the cinematography was gorgeous, the score was beautiful. But BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH. He is unbelieveable in this role. Love this film.
Dec 3, 2021
95
Campion never takes a side in the ongoing conflict between George and Phil, instead brilliantly capturing the purpose, and the futility, in each brother’s approach, making The Power of the Dog an inimitable viewing experience.
Nov 29, 2021
88
The period drama The Power of the Dog is a picturesque, enthralling exploration of male ego and toxic masculinity, crafted by an extremely talented woman and offering enough nuanced bite to keep it interesting till the very end.
Nov 22, 2021
80
The weathered earth tones of Campion’s subdued colour scheme conceal a vivid and full-blooded emotional palette.
Nov 17, 2021
75
For Campion, the personifications of Western heroism and toughness are practically indistinguishable from their own nightmarish distortions. “The Power of the Dog” lays out this theme pretty bluntly, in a story that can feel a mite thin. It’s also well worth your time, because it imagines the time, place and people it’s about so intriguingly.
Nov 18, 2021
60
Insisting on the significance of its themes, the film dispenses one emotion at a time while it creates a pervasive atmosphere of dread. Yet there’s no air in the atmosphere, not much life in the brooding landscapes.
Apr 10, 2022
10
Conceived by Dame Jane Campion, The Power Of The Dog is a movie that hardly leaves the minds of those who watch it. With impeccable performances of a cast in perfect harmony, here you get an extensive psychological study of character that is conducted by an exceptional script and an eye-filling photograph. Without a doubt, this is the greatest movie of 2021
Jul 18, 2024
6
Decent enough movie, although not great in any way. Storyline is meh attest. Acting is decent enough, although Cumberbatch overacted in too many scenes. Some good cinematography. Nothing special.
Apr 2, 2022
6
Hmm… unique for sure, provoked a lot of emotion. Great cast and plot. Definitely not a feel-good type of movie.
Mar 4, 2023
3
If you liked Nomadland you will probably also like this movie. If no, not. Just random scenes from a cowboy range in 1925.
Apr 5, 2022
3
If you look at the few 10 star reviews, they all sound like the same person wrote them,like a publicist for the film or studio. Definitely looks like they were planted in a desperate effort to raise the viewer score, which would be extremely low without them. I mean seriously: what ordinary moviegoer writes like this? "Stunning. Raw. Complex. Challenging. Heartbreaking. Iconoclastic. Innovative. Reverential. Sensual. I could go on foerver. Favorite movie of the year. Dunst and Cumberbatch are supreme. Jane Campion has done it again!"
Production Company:
- See-Saw Films
- New Zealand Film Commission
- Cross City Films
- BBC Film
- Bad Girl Creek
- Max Films International
- Brightstar
- Soundfirm
Release Date:Nov 17, 2021
Duration:2 h 5 m
Rating:R
Tagline:What it means to be a man.
Website:
Awards
Academy Awards, USA
• 1 Win & 12 Nominations
Golden Globes, USA
• 3 Wins & 7 Nominations
Satellite Awards
• 5 Wins & 13 Nominations
