A modern western hailed as a near-perfect cinematic achievement is now streaming on Netflix, and critics agree it’s essential viewing. With an impressive 94% score on Rotten Tomatoes, The Power of the Dog is set in 1925 Montana and centres on the Burbank brothers, wealthy cattle ranchers whose lives are shaped by harsh landscapes and even harsher emotions. Written and directed by Jane Campion, the film is adapted from Thomas Savage’s 1967 novel. Campion’s restrained yet razor-sharp direction transforms the western genre into a psychological study of repression, masculinity, and desire.

Phil Burbank, portrayed with chilling intensity by Benedict Cumberbatch, is a magnetic yet deeply cruel figure. A master of ranch life and an emblem of old-school masculinity, Phil commands fear and admiration in equal measure, hiding vulnerability beneath layers of dominance and scorn.

When Phil’s quieter brother George (Jesse Plemons) marries Rose, a widowed restaurant owner played by Kirsten Dunst, tension erupts.

Phil’s hostility toward Rose and her sensitive son Peter becomes relentless, expressed through cutting remarks, psychological torment, and unsettling games of power. Yet as Phil’s behaviour shifts and his interest in Peter deepens, the film takes a haunting turn, leaving audiences questioning his true intentions.

The film premiered at the 78th Venice International Film Festival in 2021 and was named one of the American Film Institute’s best films of 2021. The film was also won Best Motion Picture – Drama and Best Director at the Golden Globes, Best Picture at the Critics’ Choice Awards, and both Best Film and Best Direction at the BAFTAs.

One fan gave the film five stars on Rotten Tomatoes and called it a “modern day masterpiece.” Another said: “Everything is perfect, the ending is difficult but when you understand it, it’s spectacular.”

Someone else wrote: “A perfect movie: intense, intelligent and insightful. I’ll be watching this again.”

One viewer said the film deserved more stars than they could possibly give. They wrote: “Magnificent. Austere yet passionate and heart-engaging. The serenity of the western frontier that only Phil seems to initially see adds depth and mystery to his character.

“The mystery is well deserved as it turns out, but in the end, we are yearning for his survival. Just a beautiful haunting movie. Not enough stars.”

On IMDb, a user also said the film is “absolutely stunning and highly enjoyable in every aspect.” They added: “A perfect blend of heartfelt acting & characterisation and highly compelling storytelling.

“The Power of the Dog establishes a shroud of mystery, slowly unravelling along the progression of the story, bringing about a powerful, yet awestruck close.”

Now available on Netflix, The Power of the Dog is a masterful exploration of power, cruelty, and the cost of repression that continues to resonate years after its release.