By Félix Caraballo Martínez, MWN
In the award-winning movie called ‘The Power Of The Dog’, Kodi Smit-McPhee plays Peter Gordon, an introverted young man who has to deal with the teasing and abuse of his mother’s new partner’s brother.
The powerful Netflix film, which explores machismo, toxic masculinity, sexuality and other tough issues during a time when these topics are under blunt rejection, received the most Oscar nominations this year, including the one of Smit-McPhee, who is competing for the award with his co-star, Jesse Plemons, in the Best Supporting Actor category.
Under the exquisite direction of Jane Campion, the young actor delivers the best performance of his career with a complex role, captivating the audience until the surprising denouement. Metro talked with the actor about the current awards season, which has also earned him Golden Globe, Critics Choice and Screen Actors Guild nominations, among others, and about the media pressure that these awards represent.
How do you manage to maintain that mysterious air, bearing and/or demeanor throughout the film? How complicated was it to provide those subtleties to a character that is being unveiled little by little?
I would say that thought was given to this while rehearsing with Jane (director), but not too much. I tried not to look at it from the audience’s point of view, because I think the more you do that, the more you get away from the moment and from the real intention. So it was kind of an inside-out kind of thing. I just focused on Peter, who he is, what he’s like and worked around that.
His relationship with Phil (Benedict Cumberbatch) is crucial, it’s what drives the narrative. How was it working that aspect of the relationship with Benedict, especially the intimate moments, considering these scenes have a lot of important close-ups?
It was amazing. Again, that was something that developed during rehearsals, just creating that chemistry and comfort between the two of them. But yeah, he was amazing to work with because on set, you know he took a method type approach and especially with me, because of where we had to take our characters, in chronological order, and we understood that we could work with a little more trust and have fun in the process. So our connection on set was special and unique.
This film has earned you several well-deserved accolades. What does an Oscar nomination mean to you?
I mean, I don’t know if I necessarily try to think about it. I’m just trying to process it all. When you think about it, it’s a very chaotic time as well. So I think it won’t really affect me until after the storm has passed, which is certainly beautiful. I’m just enjoying the process and being present at all times.
Have you talked to Jesse Plemons about competing with him for the Oscar?
We haven’t really talked about that. And I wonder if at some point we will. Honestly, we’re very happy and honored that the film, the cast and even the people working behind the camera are getting all the recognition they deserve. It’s special, just to see all of us up there, and I think that’s a gift and a victory in itself.
