A movie lives or dies on the believability of the performances. In the case of The Power of the Dog, you have to believe that Benedict Cumberbatch can play a bastard cowboy. To his credit, Cumberbatch manages to deliver upon that requirement and not only delivers a bastard performance which makes you hate the character as he plagues the lives of the others involved but he also commands every scene he is in and holds the movie effortlessly.

This is no small feat considering Cumberbatch is ably matched by a fantastic cast. Kirsten Dunst makes what feels like her first movie appearance in ages and is the barrier between Cumberbatch’s Phil and his brother George when she marries the latter. This isn’t a performance requiring a doting housewife with little to say and as Phil begins to increase the tension between the newlyweds, Dunst’s Rose falls to addiction and madness in a hugely effective performance.

Making his mark slowly but surely on Hollywood is Jesse Plemons. He plays Cumberbatch’s brother and goes from the passenger in the posse to someone trying for independence. You are desperate for the character to act as you want him to and stop being oblivious to the actions of his brother but that is just some of what makes this so watchable, as Cumberbatch’s sneaky Phil manipulates all around him, including his new step-nephew.

Its the subtle but tense manipulation which is the movies strength. From being obnoxious in a restaurant, making a “meet the parents” situation very awkward or just downright abusing those around him, Phil’s presence is felt throughout and the scenes are electric when he begins to let his anger and jealousy get the better of him. You feel like there is no match to the character but the slow progression and developing of strength by Kodi Smit-McFee’s Peter leads to a very clever ending to the story.

When that ending does occur though, you can’t help but feel slightly cheated. Cumberbatch’s Phil has been a presence over every other character and you are waiting for the final break of him or those around him and although the ending has a satisfactory conclusion, you will feel like there is never the pay-off to the tension that has been so tightly wrought throughout.

Overall, The Power of the Dog showcases another side to Benedict Cumberbatch’s acting credentials and he plays the bastard cowboy well. His effects on those around him are ably conveyed by the damaged Kirsten Dunst, the timid Jesse Plemons and the most interesting of all, timid McPhee. The ending is clever but doesn’t deliver the pay-off the rest of the film feels it needs.

Rating – 3

(1 – Awful, 2 – Average, 3 – Good, 4 – Great, 5! – Must See)

As always get in touch below with a comment but also like our page on Twitter – @distinctchat