Film Introduction
The Power of the Dog is a 2021 Western Psychological drama film, written and directed by Jane Campion and based on Thomas Savage’s 1967 novel of the same name. The film stars Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst, Jesse Plemons and Kodi Smit-McPhee. Shot mostly across rural Otago, New Zealand, the film deals with themes such as love, grief, resentment, jealousy and sexuality. It has won many awards, has garnered 12 nominations at the 94 th Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Actor and was named one of the best films of 2021 by the American Film Institute. Most recently, the film’s Director, Jane Campion won the Academy Award for Best Director. 

Film Synopsis
Severe and handsome, Phil Burbank inspires fear and awe in those around him. All of Phil’s romance, power and fragility is trapped in the past and in the land. The year is 1925 and Phil and his brother George are wealthy ranchers in Montana. On their way to market, they stop at the Red Mill restaurant where the brothers meet Rose, the widowed proprietress, and her impressionable son Peter. Phil behaves cruelly driving both Rose and Peter to tears, revelling in their hurt and laughing with his fellow cowhands—except for George. George comforts Rose, returns to marry her, and brings her and Peter to live at the ranch. As Phil swings between fury and cunning, his taunting of Rose takes a heavy toll on her as does his overt mockery of her son. Phil torments them but later appears to take Peter under his wing. Is this latest gesture a softening that leaves Phil exposed or a plot twisting further into menace?