In the screenplay adaptation of Thomas Savage’s titular 1967 novel, The Power of the Dog, which is a gripping read with a twist-in-the-tale, Benedict Cumberbatch is set to make his Netflix Original debut.
The film has been directed by Jane Campion who has also written the screenplay. It’s set to be one of Netflix’s most hotly anticipated releases of the year.
In an interview with Vanity Fair about the film, Campion spoke about how she surrenders her “whole self” to narrate the story. “That’s the way it works when you really love your work,” she said.
“You give it everything,” she added. We are excited to see what the Academy Award-winning screenwriter and director has to offer in this dark drama that is said to abound in high tension. Equally, the introduction of Benedict Cumberbatch into the Netflix family is another intriguing moment.
Before its release, here is everything that we know about Netflix’s The Power of the Dog.
Everything about Netflix’s The Power of the Dog
When will The Power of the Dog be released on Netflix?
The film is set to premiere at the New York Film Festival on October 1, 2021, before streaming on Netflix on Wednesday, December 1, 2021.
It will also have a limited theatrical release, commencing from November 11, 2021, in a few theatres in Australia and New Zealand, while it will release in global theatres on November 17, 2021.
What is the plot of The Power of the Dog?
According to Netflix’s official synopsis, based on Thomas Savage’s eponymous novel, the film will revolve around two brothers that own a Montana ranch in the 1920s. When one of them gets married, they are compelled to go against one another. when one of the brothers begins tormenting the other and his family, he soon finds himself exposed to love.
The production is filled with dark elements and dramatic twists and turns and comprises themes including misogyny, internalised homophobia, homosexuality, bullying, and more.
Who are the cast members of The Power of the Dog?
Benedict Cumberbatch, known for his extraordinary performance in Sherlock, The Imitation Game and more, is set to star as Phil Burbank. Although Cumberbatch has previously lent his voice for Shere Khan on Netflflix’s Mowgli, this is the actor’s debut on-screen Netflix Original film.
Although Elizabeth Moss was initially roped in to play the role of Rose, due to scheduling conflicts, she was replaced by Kirsten Dunst. Dunst is well-known for her role as MJ in Spider-Man. Jesse Plemons from The Irishman and Breaking Bad will be playing the role of George Burbank instead of Paul Dano, who tapped out due to scheduling conflicts.
They will be joined by Keith Carradine, Thomasin McKenzie, Karl Willetts, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Adam Beach, Frances Conroy, Peter Caroll and Tatum Warren-Ngata.
What is the production status of The Power of the Dog?
The principal photography for the film began on January 10, 2020, but was stalled due to the coronavirus pandemic, which delayed the production schedule. The crew resumed filming on June 22, 2020, before ending the same on July 15, 2020.
Filming took place in the city of Dunedin, south Otago in New Zealand. Since July 26, 2021, the film has been in post-production.
Will The Power of the Dog release on Netflix UK?
While The Power of the Dog will stream globally on Netflix in all the regions, Netflix UK might not get the chance to stream it on the release date.
Since BBC Films has been working in the production of the film, the film will most likely be broadcast on BBC One and BBC iPlayer before Netflix UK gains streaming rights, much like Dracula and Wanderlust, which were both collaborative productions between BBC and Netflix.