Benedict Cumberbatch and Kristen Dunst get some of the best reviews in their respective careers for their performances on Jane Campion’s The power of the dog – and they never spoke to each other on set.
In the Netflix movie, Cumberbatch plays Phil Burbank, a cruel rancher who torments his brother’s wife, Rose (Dunst). “I didn’t want to be really mean to Kirsten, but I had to stay in my character,” he said. Recount NME. “So I didn’t speak to him on set. She was the same. We were each other’s negative positive. [We were] repelled by each other.
The method set isn’t for everyone, but it worked for Cumberbatch (who gave himself nicotine poisoning three times) and Dunst: The power of the dog has a near-perfect score for Rotten Tomatoes (94% “Fresh” rating) and has been called one of the best films of the year by several publications including Slate and IndieWire.
Here is the official plot summary:
A bossy but charismatic rancher wears a war of intimidation against his brother’s new wife and teenage son, until long-hidden secrets are revealed.
The power of the dog, which also stars Jesse Plemons, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Thomasin McKenzie, Genevieve Lemon, Keith Carradine and Frances Conroy, is now in theaters and will hit Netflix on December 1. You can watch the trailer below.
