by Norman Barry

The power of the Dog (2021)

Director: Jane Campion

Writers: Jane Campion, Thomas Savage (based on his novel)

Stars: Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst, Jesse Plemons, Kodi Smit-McPhee

The title of the film comes from Psalm 22 (21) prayed by Jesus as he hung upon the cross. Its opening is well known: My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Verse 20 reads: Deliver my soul from the sword, my life from the power of the dog! It is not a cry of despair. Rather, it is a psalm of trust, trust that God will deliver the persecuted one. The power of the dog is understood to be an internal affliction which can be worse than crucifixion.

Norman Barry is the film reviewer of Open House.