The Power of the Dog centers on two brothers who regardless of living in a large mansion, still share their childhood bed.
While this is rather odd, the brothers Phil and George are two completely different individuals that one would swear they come from two different planets.
A Portrait of toxic masculinity
In this Western drama, Jane Campion succeeds in holding her viewers at the edge of their seats. Just when you think you know what’s happening, another twist comes to the surface.
So, before I drift from the actual plot of the film, let’s dive into the storyline of the new film and what makes it a good production.
The Power of the Dog Explores Masculinity
As the two brothers live together in a huge mansion, Phil suffers from some kind of repression in which its origins are unknown to us. Unlike his brother, he constantly feels the need to exert his masculinity over others. The question of masculinity is also explored.
When Phil’s brother George gets married to a widowed owner of a hotel named Rose, he projects his distaste of his brother’s decision onto Rose and her son Peter.
Rose finds herself constantly living on the edge with her brother-in-law – although he can’t stand the connection to her in this way. Phil basically makes her life a living hell to be straight to the point.
Unexpected turns take place
As the film begins to unravel all its layers, Peter forms an unlikely bond with Phil who did everything in his might to humiliate him and his mother.
During Rose’s stay at her husband’s house, Rose lives uncomfortably and in constant anxiety. Her husband George, however, always seems unphased by his brother’s insults and antics. How he does this is beyond me.
The power of the dog premiers in theatres on 17th November before it’s available on Netflix on 1 December 2021.
Watch the trailer below.
