The Power of the Dog (2020) Ending Explained
TL;DR:
The Power of the Dog concludes with Peter (Kodi Smit-McPhee) orchestrating the death of Phil (Benedict Cumberbatch) by poisoning him with anthrax-infected rawhide. The film reveals Peter's calculated manipulation, as he avenges Phil's psychological torment of his mother, Rose (Kirsten Dunst), and stepfather, George (Jesse Plemons). The ending subverts expectations by exposing Peter as the true predator, while Phil's vulnerability-his repressed homosexuality and unrequited love for Bronco Henry-leads to his downfall. The final scenes emphasize themes of toxic masculinity, hidden cruelty, and the cyclical nature of violence, leaving viewers to grapple with the moral ambiguity of Peter's actions and the cost of revenge.*
Detailed Explanation of the Ending
The climax of The Power of the Dog hinges on a slow-burning psychological duel between Phil and Peter, culminating in Phil's tragic demise. Throughout the film, Phil embodies toxic masculinity, bullying Rose and mocking Peter's effeminate demeanor. However, Phil's cruelty masks his own repressed homosexuality and grief for his mentor, Bronco Henry. Peter, initially portrayed as fragile and introverted, reveals himself to be a cunning strategist. He studies Phil's habits, including his aversion to wearing gloves while handling rawhide, and exploits this by gifting him poisoned hides. Phil's death is framed as poetic justice-his own machismo and carelessness lead to his undoing, while Peter's clinical detachment mirrors the "dog" mentioned in the film's biblical epigraph: "Deliver my soul from the sword; my darling from the power of the dog."
The final act underscores the film's exploration of hidden identities. Phil's vulnerability is laid bare when he attempts to bond with Peter, sharing his secret longing for Bronco Henry. This moment of intimacy becomes his downfall, as Peter uses Phil's trust to execute his revenge. The scene where Peter watches Phil die, his face eerily calm, reinforces the film's theme of predation - Peter, not Phil, is the true apex predator. Director Jane Campion frames Peter's actions as both monstrous and justified, leaving the audience to question whether his vengeance was righteous or merely another iteration of cruelty.
Rose's arc also reaches a poignant resolution. Her descent into alcoholism, triggered by Phil's relentless harassment, halts abruptly after his death. The final shot of her and George, now free from Phil's shadow, hints at a fragile peace. Yet, the film implies that Peter's intervention came at a moral cost. The closing image of Peter clutching Phil's rope-a symbol of both Phil's dominance and Peter's triumph-suggests a transfer of power, not an end to violence. The cycle of cruelty persists, albeit with a new orchestrator.
Unresolved Questions
Did Peter plan to kill Phil from the beginning?
- Possible Answers: Yes, he recognized Phil's toxicity immediately and bided his time.
- Or, he adapted his plan after witnessing Phil's effect on Rose.
Was Phil's affection for Peter genuine, or was he manipulating him?
- Possible Answers: Phil saw Peter as a replacement for Bronco Henry, projecting his unfulfilled desires.
- Alternatively, Phil's kindness was a fleeting moment of vulnerability exploited by Peter.
What does Peter's final smile signify?
- Possible Answers: Satisfaction in avenging his mother.
- Or, a chilling embrace of his own capacity for violence.
Personal Opinion
The Power of the Dog is a masterclass in subtext and tension, with an ending that lingers like a slow poison. Campion dismantles the myth of the American cowboy, revealing the rot beneath the rugged exterior. Cumberbatch's Phil is a tragic figure-his cruelty stems from self-loathing, making his death unsettling rather than cathartic. Smit-McPhee's Peter, meanwhile, is a revelation, his performance a delicate balance of innocence and menace. The film's ambiguity is its strength; it refuses to villainize or vindicate anyone entirely. My only critique is that Rose's character feels underexplored, her suffering sometimes overshadowed by the central duel. Yet, the ending's quiet brutality ensures the film haunts you long after the credits roll.
Themes Reinforced in the Ending
- Toxic Masculinity: Phil's demise is tied to his refusal to show vulnerability, while Peter weaponizes perceived weakness.
- Revenge vs. Justice: The film questions whether Peter's actions restore balance or perpetuate violence.
- Isolation: Both Phil and Peter are isolated by their secrets, though one succumbs to loneliness while the other weaponizes it.
The final moments-a close-up of Peter's serene face, the discarded rope-are a silent indictment of the cycles of power and pain. The Power of the Dog doesn't offer easy answers, but its ending is a devastating meditation on the cost of hidden wounds and the masks we wear to survive.