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What is wrong with Rose in The Power of the Dog?

What is wrong with Rose in The Power of the Dog?

The Power of the Dog’s Rose Gordon became an alcoholic in the film following the psychological trauma she experienced living with Phil Burbank.

The Power of the Dog is the critically acclaimed Netflix original film that first premiered in December 2021. After the film’s release, it was nominated for 12 Oscars and despite this, the film won only one nod for director, Jane Campion.

While the single win may have been disappointing, The Power of the Dog is still one of the best films released in 2021.

Primarily, the film explored the theme of repression through Phil Burbank’s secret from the past, George’s feelings towards his brother, and Rose Gordon’s alcoholism as a result of the psychological trauma she is subjected to.

All of the above culminated in an ending that some are still trying to figure out.

Why is it called The Power of the Dog?

The Power of the Dog was inspired by the1967 Western novel of the same name written by acclaimed author, Thomas Savage.

The film’s adaptation was written by Jane Campion, who also directed the film. In both the book and the film, the title is inspired by the Bible verse, Psalm 22 verse 20, which reads, “Deliver my soul from the sword; my darling from the power of the dog.”

It is the message of the verse that inspires the ambiguous conclusion of the film, which, to date, many people are still questioning the meaning of.

What is wrong with Rose in The Power of the Dog?

To understand what is wrong with Rose Gordon in The Power of the Dog, we need to start at the beginning.

The film is set in Montana in 1925 and is premised, “Charismatic rancher Phil Burbank inspires fear and awe in those around him. When his brother brings home a new wife and her son, Phil torments them until he finds himself exposed to the possibility of love.”

The Power of the Dog catalyses the narrative when Rose, George’s new wife, moves into the Burbank ranch with her son, Peter. Rose moves in alone as Peter is heading to college.

While living with George and Phil alone in the main house, Rose is tormented by Phil and George is not in the position to do anything as he, too, lives in fear of his older brother.

Therefore, Rose turns to alcohol to help her deal with the continuous torment from Phil. Phil was more myth than man, reigning with terror in his ranch. In light of this, it must have seemed to Rose that Phil would outlive them all.

But it is Rose’s repression of her true feelings and her resorting to alcohol that causes the film to end the way it does, and we find out whether or not Phil died from an accidental anthrax poisoning. This contention remains one of the film’s strongest points.

The Power of the Dog’s conclusion

The Power of the Dog ends with Phil Burbank dying. It is subsequently confirmed that he died of anthrax poisoning. Following returning to the news of Phil’s passing, Peter returned to his room and read a Bible verse.

On the surface, it looked like Peter was attempting to comfort himself as he and Phil were getting closer after Phil’s confession about his suggested homosexual relationship with his cowboy mentor, Bronco Henry.

But when viewers discovered that he was reading Psalm 22 verse 20, Peter was implicated in Phil’s death.

The Power of the Dog’s conclusion meaning explained

The ending of The Power of the Dog suggests that Peter is the one responsible for Phil’s death. It is believed that Peter laced the cowhide gloves he gifted Phil with anthrax poisoning, which would explain how he was exposed to anthrax.

The gift came because Rose attempted to get back at Phil over his taunts and sold the cowhide he used to make the gloves he used to mend the fence. Peter gave Phil the gift after he had cut himself and had an open wound.

Confirmation of the meaning of The Power of the Dog’s conclusion

While the film intentionally left the conclusion ambiguous, the novel did not. The novel ends with Peter reading a medical book about anthrax to drive the point home.

However, the film left subtle clues, including a scene where Peter was dissecting a rabbit thought to have had anthrax poisoning.

In an interview with The Wrap, the film’s editor, Peter Sciberras revealed the initial intention and what fans eventually saw, sharing that, “We had a beautifully crafted shot, which would have been the last shot of the film.”

But Campion made the decision to use the alternate closing scene instead.