The Power of the Dog Netflix film adaptation, directed by Jane Campion and adapted from Thomas Savage’s novel, is a complex narrative that works to subvert westerns. Phil Burbank (Benedict Cumberbatch) is a cruel and domineering rancher who torments the previously widowed proprietress, Rose (Kirsten Dunst), his brother George’s (Jesse Plemons) new wife, and Peter (Kodi Smit-Mcphee), Rose’s son from her previous marriage. When George moves his new family to his and Phil’s Montana ranch, they are unfortunately subject to (and trapped by) Phil’s abuse.
Phil is a character dominated by toxic masculinity, displaying hostility, prejudice, fury, and emotional violence common in depictions of the American west. He is tortured by his past relationship and idolatry of Bronco Henry. Because of this, he antagonizes both Rose and Peter, creating an environment filled with tension, fear, and tears. Peter, a sensitive and intelligent young man, has an incredibly complex relationship with Phil. He is initially subject to Phil’s scorn and ridicule due to his non-conformity to traditional masculine norms. However, as the story progresses, Phil seems to develop a strange fascination with Peter, softening from overt hostility to a more nuanced relationship tinged with homoeroticism.
In the narrative, Peter doesn’t explicitly express a wish for Phil to die. However, his actions ultimately lead to Phil’s demise. Phil’s cruel treatment of his mother, Rose, plays a significant role in this. Phil haunts her with creepy a banjo tune and harrowing laughter, making his eerie form follow her around and hanging at the edges of her vision. Bearing witness to Rose’s deterioration (specifically her spiral into alcoholism and subsequent self-isolation, which led her to abandon her beloved piano) due to Phil’s psychological torment, Peter may feel that eliminating Phil is the only way to protect his mother.
Despite his anger, Peter also seems inexplicably drawn to the charismatic rancher, who begins to warm to him as time goes on. Despite this shift, the power dynamics remain unbalanced, with Phil continuing to assert his dominance and control. They have an incredibly fraught relationship, which perhaps could only ever end in one of their deaths.
Further, Peter, who is studying medicine, discovers that Phil has been handling a hide from a diseased cow. At a critical turning point, instead of warning Phil about the dangers of anthrax, which the cow had been infected with, Peter stays silent. He even encourages Phil to use the hide to make a rope from the rawhide, fully aware of the fatal risk Phil is unknowingly taking by touching the bull calf without gloves and with an open wound. Peter’s silence is not merely a passive act but a calculated decision born out of a desperate situation. By not alerting Phil to the danger, he effectively orchestrates Phil’s demise. This action is Peter’s response to the oppressive environment Phil has created. It is a testament to his determination to protect his mother and to free himself from Phil’s overbearing influence.
Peter’s reasons for not preventing Phil’s death are layered. He is motivated by a desire to protect his mother and possibly to rid himself of Phil’s overbearing influence. However, Peter is also a complex character who harbors resentment towards Phil’s harsh masculinity and the psychological harm he has caused. Peter’s motivation to protect his mother, combined with his resentment towards Phil’s cruelty, catalyzes the actions that lead to Phil’s death.
Peter’s decision is a significant turning point in the narrative, showcasing the lengths to which he is willing to go to secure their safety. It demonstrates the extreme consequences of unchecked power and toxic masculinity, offering a stark critique of the destructive effects they can have on individuals and relationships.
The Power of the Dog is a profound exploration of power dynamics, toxic masculinity, and the psychological forces that drive individuals to extreme actions. While Peter’s act can be seen as deliberately harmful, it’s his response to the continuous tension and hostility he and his mother have faced. The taunting of Rose and mockery of her son force Peter’s hand. Peter’s actions highlight the narrative’s central themes, demonstrating the consequences of unchecked power and the resistance of the human spirit. It’s important to note that these actions aren’t born in a vacuum, but come from a culmination of toxic circumstances.