Latest news with #PowerOfTheDog
Daily Mirror
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Netflix fans go wild for ‘best Western they've ever seen' featuring major A-list star
Netflix fans have been thrilled by a 'powerful' Western movie on the streaming platform, as they all shared their reaction to the incredible acting and plot. Netflix viewers have been raving about a powerful Western film they have just discovered. The Power of the Dog is a 2021 American Western psychological drama film directed by Jane Campion, based on the 1967 novel of the same name by Thomas Savage. The film stars Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst, Jesse Plemons, and Kodi Smit-McPhee. It tells the story of two brothers, Phil and George Burbank, who run a cattle ranch in Montana, and the psychological manipulation Phil inflicts on his brother's new wife, Rose, and her son, Peter. Fans were heartbroken when the movie was removed from Netflix UK in August 2023 due to BBC Films owning the rights. Thankfully, Netflix confirmed its return to the platform in August 2024. The huge film might not be your typical Western, but viewers have been loving it. One person wrote: "Well I'll be damned. Just saw the dog in the mountains. Mystery solved. Great film." Another said: "The Power Of The Dog builds tremendous force, gaining its momentum through the harmonious discord of its performances, the nervous rhythms of Jonny Greenwood's score and the grandeur of its visuals." Meanwhile, on IMDB, someone else wrote: "I just randomly watched this movie, not knowing anything about it at all, just that I like Benedict as an actor. It was slow and sort of unsettling and I had to ponder the movie for a while after it finished. Let me just say this, the devil is in the details with this one. Pay very close attention when watching it, I think it pays off pretty well. They added: "I had several 'oh crap' moments after the movie, when I started connecting the dots. To call this a Western is a bit misleading, the setting is in the west (Montana) but that really has nothing to do with the movie at all, nor should it define its genre "I can see how folks might not like this one due to the pacing and some of the subject matter but the acting really is quite good and the movie is well made. Also, let's just say the ending might pass right over some people's head if they hadn't been paying attention or had already made up their mind what the movie was about. I'd really love to say more but spoilers and all. I think this one will start out slow with audiences but will age well over time," the film fan concluded. Benedict Cumberbatch previously spoke about his role in the movie, particularly how he portrayed his character. In an interview with NPR, he explained how different the American West was from his own life, making the role a challenge. To get into character, the actor wore unwashed clothes throughout the shoot, saying, "The minute I put those clothes on, I was [Phil]. I could smell him."
Daily Mail
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Netflix fans blown away by 'masterpiece' Western film with 'career best' performances from A-list cast - as revenge twist leaves them 'shaken'
Netflix fans have been blown away by a Western film which has been hailed as a 'masterpiece'. The Power Of The Dog, which is based on the 1967 novel and released in 2021, delivers a heartbreaking story of two Burbank brothers, Phil and George. Set against the western backdrop of 1920s Montana, the pair of cowboys manage their family's ranch until one of them falls in love and sets off a chain of event. Sherlock star Benedict Cumberbatch stars as Phil, the brutal sibling that hopes to destroy his brothers newfound family and his relationship. Phil develops a strong disliking towards his brother's wife and son, as he uses rough ways to provoke and disturb them. The Power Of The Dog's ensemble also includes Thomasin McKenzie, Frances Conroy, Keith Carradine, Peter Carroll, and Adam Beach, among others. A Rotten Tomatoes review states: 'This movie may be hard to watch at times, but it is worth it. 'Great atmosphere, an incredibly compelling story, amazing acting and characters that are genuinely interesting and multidimensional. 'The Power Of The Dog had me emotionally invested and left me shaken. Definitely recommend this movie.' The film made history as it became the first directed by a woman to secure over 10 Oscar nods, with a whooping 12 at the 94th Academy Awards. Jane Chapman won the Best Director at the Oscars, and had wins at the BAFTA and Golden Globe ceremonies the same year. The Netflix hit has earned high praise across the board for its quietly intense drama. One critic said: 'An exacting drama about masculinity, toxic and otherwise... The strong performances and the striking visual style make this a potent piece of filmmaking.' A second echoed: 'The Power Of The Dog builds tremendous force, gaining its momentum through the harmonious discord of its performances, the nervous rhythms of Jonny Greenwood's score and the grandeur of its visuals.' 'Jane Campion's eighth feature film, her first in 12 years, The Power Of The Dog reconfirms the director as a powerful force in contemporary cinema,' a third said. However, some critics believed the film lacked action and was sometimes 'very slow'. A review states: 'Decent story with a slow pace and an unsettling subtext that slowly creeps up on you until it unfolds into something sinister.' Others said the storytelling wasn't quite worth the wait. They explained: 'Very slow movie. You keep waiting for something to happen. 'Interesting ending and story. I'm just not sure if it was worth sitting through.'
