Netflix’s ‘The Power of the Dog’: A Modern Western with 12 Oscar Nominations
Toby Arguello
Mon, September 14, 2026 at 2:11 AM UTC
Westerns may not dominate the movie landscape like they used to, but that doesn’t mean the genre is as dead as the second-fastest gunslinger. Earlier this decade, Netflix put out one of the greatest Westerns in modern media, The Power of the Dog.
Written and directed by highly regarded filmmaker Jane Campion, The Power of the Dog is based on a novel of the same name that follows two successful rancher brothers in 1920s Montana. When George (Jesse Plemons) marries a single mother (Kirsten Dunst), his rude, domineering brother Phil (Benedict Cumberbatch) torments her and her son. As the intimidation continues, dark secrets come to light.
The movie was widely praised by critics and audiences alike, holding a 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It earned a whopping 12 Oscar Nominations, winning Best Director, and earned praise for its intense atmosphere and performances. "Cumberbatch’s performance alone makes this film worth watching," writes The A.V. Club in their list of best Netflix original movies.
There Were Five Previous Attempts to Adapt the Book, Including by Paul Newman
The novel, written by Thomas Savage in 1967, was optioned five times in the past but never made it to production. One of those attempts was by legendary actor, director, and philanthropist Paul Newman. The Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid star paid for the rights but never got around to adapting it, for unknown reasons. Cumberbatch commented that he wished he could see Newman’s take on the story.
