The Power of the Dog

film by Campion [2021]

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July 22, 2026

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The Power of the Dog is a 2021 Western drama film directed by Jane Campion. The film centers on a cruel rancher, Phil Burbank, played by Benedict Cumberbatch, whose harshness, particularly towards his brother and his brother's wife, masks his inner turmoil. The movie earned widespread acclaim, with Campion receiving an Academy Award for best director, making her only the third woman to achieve this honor. Kirsten Dunst, who plays the troubled wife, also received an Academy Award nomination for her performance. The film is adapted from a novel by Thomas Savage.12

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Benedict Cumberbatch
Doctor Strange and The Grinch
…year was in Jane Campion’s The Power of the Dog, a western about a rancher whose cruelty—especially toward his brother and the latter’s wife (played by married actors Jesse Plemons and Kirsten Dunst)—hides inner turmoil. For his work in the film, Cumberbatch received an Oscar nomination.
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…year was in Jane Campion’s The Power of the Dog, a western about a rancher whose cruelty—especially toward his brother and the latter’s wife (played by married actors Jesse Plemons and Kirsten Dunst)—hides inner turmoil. For his work in the film, Cumberbatch received an Oscar nomination.
Read More

Jane Campion
…to the big screen with The Power of the Dog (2021), a western centering on a rancher (Benedict Cumberbatch) whose cruelty—especially toward his brother (Jesse Plemons) and the latter’s wife (Kirsten Dunst)—hides his inner turmoil. The drama earned widespread acclaim, and its 12 Oscar nominations included nods for Campion’s direction…
Read More
…to the big screen with The Power of the Dog (2021), a western centering on a rancher (Benedict Cumberbatch) whose cruelty—especially toward his brother (Jesse Plemons) and the latter’s wife (Kirsten Dunst)—hides his inner turmoil. The drama earned widespread acclaim, and its 12 Oscar nominations included nods for Campion’s direction…
Read More

Jesse Plemons
The Irishman, The Power of the Dog, and Killers of the Flower Moon
…from 2021 include Jane Campion’s The Power of the Dog. In the award-winning western, Plemons portrayed George Burbank, the brother of a cruel rancher (Benedict Cumberbatch). Their relationship grows increasingly fraught when George marries a single mother (Kirsten Dunst). For his performance, Plemons received an Academy Award nomination.
Read More
…from 2021 include Jane Campion’s The Power of the Dog. In the award-winning western, Plemons portrayed George Burbank, the brother of a cruel rancher (Benedict Cumberbatch). Their relationship grows increasingly fraught when George marries a single mother (Kirsten Dunst). For his performance, Plemons received an Academy Award nomination.
Read More