The Power of the Dog

In 1925 Montana, during a cattle drive, wealthy ranch owner brothers Phil and George Burbank meet widow and innkeeper Rose Gordon. George is immediately taken by Rose, while Phil reacts coldly, influenced by his late mentor Bronco Henry.

George Burbank and Rose Gordon marry soon after their initial meeting. While George is kind and supportive, Phil's malevolence grows, and he begins to persecute Rose and her son, Peter, for their perceived weaknesses.

Phil mocks Peter for his lisp and effeminate demeanor, which only serves to heighten the tension between them. This cruelty exacerbates Peter's feelings of isolation and distress within the ranch.

George hosts an evening event to introduce Rose to family and local dignitaries. Pressured to showcase her piano skills, Rose performs poorly, during which Phil derisively interrupts, deepening Rose's feelings of inadequacy.

After the humiliating gathering, Rose succumbs to the stress by drinking, despite having previously rejected alcohol. Her newfound vice worsens her relationship with Phil and deepens her distress.

As summer break begins, Peter arrives to find his mother struggling with alcoholism. To cope, he isolates himself and immerses in studying animals and diseases, distancing himself from Phil's incessant torment.

While wandering a secluded area, Peter stumbles upon Phil with a handkerchief belonging to Bronco Henry. This incident, along with discovering magazines depicting nude men, complicates Peter's understanding of Phil.

Phil begins showing unexpected kindness to Peter, taking him horseback riding and teaching him how to craft lariats. Their bond grows stronger as they connect over shared activities.

In a moment of defiance against Phil's treatment of cattle, Rose gifts hides to local Indigenous traders. This act is compounded by her increasing alcoholism and leads her to collapse later due to drinking.

As Peter offers the cattle hide he cut, he and Phil bond over crafting a lasso. This shared moment reflects their growing relationship, though undercurrents of tension regarding Peter's familial situation linger.

The next morning, Phil is discovered bedridden with an infected hand, signaling his deteriorating health. His frantic call for Peter to deliver the lasso reveals his need for connection, despite newfound vulnerabilities.

Following Phil's passing from anthrax, George must select a coffin, grappling with the loss of his brother. Phil's reputation of avoiding sick cattle makes his death even more bewildering to George.

Skipping the funeral, Peter reflects on the events by reading Psalm 22:20. He places a completed lasso under his bed, suggesting a dark revelation about his intentions towards Phil, likely due to his protective feelings for Rose.

The narrative reaches its culmination as George embraces a sober Rose post-funeral. Meanwhile, Peter's sinister smile hints at a deeper, darker plan, as he ensures Phil's demise to safeguard his mother's well-being.