The Power of the Dog (2021): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending
The Power of the Dog is a 2021 drama directed by Jane Campion, starring Benedict Cumberbatch as Phil Burbank, Kirsten Dunst and Kodi Smit-McPhee. It is based on The Power of the Dog by Thomas Savage and Annie Proulx. It runs 2 hours 5 minutes and earned $271,009 worldwide on a $35 million budget. It won 1 Oscar, including Directing, and 11 awards in all. Critics gave it 94% on Rotten Tomatoes and 89 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.8/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 5m (125 min)
- Director
- Jane Campion
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
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English - Studio
- Netflix
- Budget
- $35M
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Power of the Dog About?
The premise of The Power of the Dog without spoilers, adapted from The Power of the Dog by Thomas Savage and Annie Proulx. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.
In 1925 Montana, Phil Burbank is a charismatic and intimidating rancher who enjoys dominating those around him with his hyper-masculine persona. The arrival of Rose Gordon and her teenage son Peter disrupts the established order on the ranch. Phil takes a particular interest in Peter, exerting a psychological influence that challenges the boy’s confidence and tests the stability of Rose's fragile existence. As tensions escalate, the underlying complexities of Phil’s character are revealed, blurring the lines between cruelty and vulnerability.
The Power of the Dog Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- repressed homosexuality
- homosexuality
- animal cruelty
- homoeroticism
- gay cowboy
- male nudity
- disdain for sissiness
- sexual repression
- cowboy
- mother son relationship
- brother brother relationship
- bull castration
+38 more Show fewer
- alcoholic
- male rear nudity
- homophobia
- gay cinema
- teenage boy
- repressed homosexual
- male frontal nudity
- sexual tension
- montana
- male full frontal nudity
- masculinity
- bare chested male
- gay character
- bully
- adult brothers share a bedroom
- gay subtext
- medical student
- psychological torture
- based on novel
- dissecting an animal
- animal dissection
- star appears nude
- skinny dipping
- castration
- anthrax
- effeminacy
- based on book
- gay
- masturbation
- husband wife relationship
- bullying
- body builder photograph
- dead cow
- toxic masculinity
- effeminate boy
- 1920s
- drunkenness
- death
The Power of the Dog Cast & Characters
Benedict Cumberbatch leads the cast as Phil Burbank, with Kirsten Dunst as Rose Gordon and Kodi Smit-McPhee as Peter Gordon. Directed by Jane Campion; 12 actors are credited in all.
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Director Jane Campion
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Benedict Cumberbatch as Phil Burbank -
Kirsten Dunst as Rose Gordon -
Kodi Smit-McPhee as Peter Gordon -
Jesse Plemons as George Burbank
Also Starring in The Power of the Dog
· 8 moreMore from Jane Campion
More films directed by Jane Campion, best-rated first: The Piano, An Angel at My Table, Bright Star and Sweetie.
The Power of the Dog Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave The Power of the Dog 94% on Rotten Tomatoes and 89 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 79/100, strongest in art & craft (88) and weakest in story & flow (68).
The Power of the Dog Echo Score Breakdown
Overall, the film delivers a meticulously crafted visual experience anchored by strong direction and striking cinematography, while its thematic investigation of masculinity provides substantive depth. Performances, particularly the lead’s, are widely regarded as nuanced and compelling, contributing to an emotionally resonant core. However, the narrative’s deliberate pacing and occasional predictability temper its immediacy, leading some viewers to find it laborious. The combination of artistic prowess and measured storytelling results in a solid, though not universally exhilarating, work that rewards attentive viewing.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 88
In terms of art and craft, the direction demonstrates assured compositional choices, and the cinematography presents an expansive, atmospheric landscape that underscores the film’s tone. Production design and editing maintain a restrained elegance, allowing scenes to breathe. While a few sequences linger longer than necessary, the overall visual construction remains consistently high‑quality.
- Character & Emotion 82
Character and emotional depth are anchored by a standout central performance that conveys both menace and vulnerability, complemented by supporting actors who add subtle layers of tension. The ensemble chemistry often feels restrained yet purposeful, enhancing the film’s psychological undercurrents. Some viewers note occasional over‑emphasis, but the prevailing assessment is of nuanced, effective portrayals.
- Story & Flow 68
The narrative unfolds with measured pacing, prioritizing mood over rapid plot development, which yields a contemplative atmosphere. Themes of repression and identity are explored through layered interactions, offering originality in subtext. Nonetheless, certain plot turns are perceived as predictable, and the deliberate tempo may challenge audience engagement, resulting in mixed reactions to its overall coherence.
- Sensory Experience 84
The auditory landscape, highlighted by a subtle yet persistent score, intertwines with ambient sounds to reinforce tension throughout. Visual styling—through muted color palettes and deliberate framing—creates a cohesive aesthetic that amplifies the film’s internal conflicts. Both sound design and visual composition receive commendation for their immersive quality, though a few moments are deemed overly restrained.
- Rewatch Factor 71
Rewatch value is reinforced by the film’s layered character revelations and atmospheric consistency, which reward attentive observation on subsequent viewings. The lingering thematic resonance and nuanced performances encourage repeated analysis. Conversely, its slow tempo and occasional narrative opacity may diminish repeat enjoyment for some audiences, leading to a moderate overall rewatch appeal.
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IMDb 6.8 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 94% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 76%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 89 Metascore
User score 6.6
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 68% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.7 /5
1K ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 3.0 /5
See on Movie Insider
The Power of the Dog Plot Summary & Ending Explained
What happens in The Power of the Dog from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In 1925 Montana, wealthy ranch owner brothers Phil Burbank and George Burbank encounter widow and innkeeper Rose Gordon during a cattle drive. The gentler George is infatuated with Rose right away, but Phil, influenced by his late mentor Bronco Henry, is more confrontational, cruelly mocking Rose’s son Peter for his lisp and effeminate demeanor. As George and Rose marry, she utilizes George’s financial support to send Peter to medical school while settling into the Burbank ranch house. Phil’s disdain for Rose grows; he accuses her of exploiting George’s wealth, making her feel unwelcome with his rough demeanor.
Full summary
The whole story of The Power of the Dog, scene by scene, with the ending explained
The Power of the Dog Box Office & Budget
The Power of the Dog grossed $271,009 worldwide on a $35 million budget.
Worldwide gross
$271K
- International
- $271K
- Budget
- $35M
The Power of the Dog Awards & Nominations
The Power of the Dog won 1 Oscar, including Directing, and 11 awards in all. Its biggest night was the Critics' Choice 2022, with 4 wins from 10 nominations.
11 wins41 nominations8 ceremonies
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Critics' Choice 2022 4 wins · 10 nominations- Won Best Adapted Screenplay – Jane Campion
- Won Best Cinematography
- Won Best Director – Jane Campion
- Won Best Picture
- Nominated Best Acting Ensemble
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Golden Globes 2022 3 wins · 7 nominations- Won Best Director – Jane Campion
- Won Best Motion Picture – Drama
- Won Best Supporting Performance in a Motion Picture (Supporting Actor) – Kodi Smit-McPhee
- Nominated Best Director – Jane Campion
- Nominated Best Original Score
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BAFTA 2022 2 wins · 7 nominations- Won Best Director – Jane Campion
- Won Best Film – Jane Campion
- Nominated Best Actor in a Leading Role – Benedict Cumberbatch
- Nominated Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Jesse Plemons and Kodi Smit-McPhee
- Nominated Best Adapted Screenplay – Jane Campion
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Oscars 2022 1 win · 11 nominations- Won Directing – Jane Campion
- Nominated Actor in a Leading Role – Benedict Cumberbatch
- Nominated Actor in a Supporting Role – Jesse Plemons and Kodi Smit-McPhee
- Nominated Actress in a Supporting Role – Kirsten Dunst
- Nominated Best Picture
Show all 8 ceremonies Show fewer ceremonies
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DGA Awards 2022 1 win · 1 nomination- Won Feature Film – Jane Campion
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Actor Awards (SAG) 2022 3 nominations- Nominated Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role – Kirsten Dunst
- Nominated Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role – Benedict Cumberbatch
- Nominated Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role – Kodi Smit-McPhee
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Artios Awards 2022 1 nomination- Nominated Big Budget – Drama
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TIFF 2021 1 nomination- Nominated People's Choice Award, Second Runner Up – Jane Campion
The Power of the Dog Trailers & Videos
26 videos: 1 trailer, 1 teaser, 21 featurettes and 3 behind-the-scenes videos.
- Teaser Official Teaser
- Featurette THE POWER OF THE DOG Cinema Intro + Q&A | TIFF 2021
- Featurette Jane Campion, Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst & More on The Power of the Dog | NYFF59
- Featurette Cinematographer Ari Wegner on The Power of the Dog | FLC Luminaries
How Well Do You Know The Power of the Dog?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is the relationship between Phil and George Burbank?
Cars in The Power of the Dog
8 cars on screen, including the Dodge Brothers Touring and the unknown.
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Dodge Brothers Touring Important role -
unknown Minor role -
Ford Model T Background role -
Ford Model T Background role
The Power of the Dog Also Known As
28 alternative titles, including “Köpeğin Pençesi” and “Psie Pazuty”.
- Also known as
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- Köpeğin Pençesi
- Psie Pazuty
- El poder del perro
- 犬山记
- Ataque dos Cães
- 파워 오브 도그
- 犬之力
- Силата на кучето
- Il potere del cane
- Власть пса
- Psie pazury
- Síla psa
+16 more Show fewer
- Sức Mạnh Của Loài Chó
- Η Εξουσία του Σκύλου
- כוחו של הכלב
- У руках пса
- Šape pasje
- 犬山記
- Le pouvoir du chien
- A kutya karmai közt
- O Poder do Cão
- Шапе пасје
- パワー・オブ・ザ・ドッグ
- قدرت سگ
- Šuns galia, ძაღლის ძალა
- Moč psa
- Koera vägi
- Puterea câinelui
Seen The Power of the Dog?
Movies Like The Power of the Dog
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Dog Days, Dog Tags and Dogman.
The Power of the Dog FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, the book behind it and awards of The Power of the Dog, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Power of the Dog?
The Power of the Dog runs 2 hours 5 minutes (125 minutes).
When was The Power of the Dog released?
The Power of the Dog was released on November 17, 2021.
Who directed The Power of the Dog?
The Power of the Dog was directed by Jane Campion.
More films by Jane Campion Who is in the cast of The Power of the Dog?
The Power of the Dog stars Benedict Cumberbatch as Phil Burbank, Kirsten Dunst as Rose Gordon and Kodi Smit-McPhee as Peter Gordon, among 12 credited actors.
How much did The Power of the Dog make at the box office?
The Power of the Dog grossed $271,009 worldwide on a budget of $35 million.
How is The Power of the Dog rated?
The Power of the Dog has 6.8/10 on IMDb, 94% on Rotten Tomatoes, 89 on Metacritic and 68% on TMDB.
Is The Power of the Dog based on a book?
Yes. The Power of the Dog is adapted from The Power of the Dog by Thomas Savage and Annie Proulx.
What awards did The Power of the Dog win?
The Power of the Dog won 11 awards from 41 nominations, including Best Adapted Screenplay at the Critics' Choice 2022.
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