20 Best Films Of 2021

1. The Power Of The Dog

The Card Counter
Netflix

Jane Campion's first film in 12 years is surely one of her best, a psychologically blistering portrait of toxic masculinity that teases out career-best performances from basically everyone involved.

Benedict Cumberbatch is absolutely searing as cruel rancher Phil Burbank, shedding his typically magnanimous screen presence to play a challenging, initially easy-to-loathe character whose secrets slowly unfurl over the course of the film.

Kirsten Dunst is also fantastic as Rose, the innkeeper who marries Phil's more easy-going brother George (a great Jesse Plemons), and Kodi Smit-McPhee is terrifically subdued as Rose's eccentric son Peter.

Beautifully filmed, richly atmospheric, and gradually unveiling a tantalising mystery that builds to a deeply gratifying payoff, The Power of the Dog is rightly a major contender for the Best Picture Oscar, and just might have what it takes to bring the gong home outright.

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Contributor

Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes). General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.