Benedict Cumberbatch’s New Movie Is Seeing Ratings No One Expected
Benedict Cumberbatch is a big name in a lot of big movies. His most recent release is seeing ratings come in, and they aren't what experts expected.
This article is more than 2 years old
Benedict Cumberbatch starrer The Power of the Dog recently debuted on Netflix after enjoying a limited theatrical release in Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and the United Kingdom. And apparently, apart from being a favorite of critics who have praised the film for its direction, story, and cast performances, the film is popular amongst the streamer’s subscribers too judging by its viewership ratings which are rather high for an art-house drama like The Power of the Dog.
Deadline has reported that the Benedict Cumberbatch starrer drew in a whopping 1.2 million U.S. households post its debut on the streamer on December 1, as per Samba TV. The outlet compared its soaring performance to other art house films which were recently released, starting with HBO Max’s King Richard (starring Will Smith) and the Sopranos prequel The Many Saints of Newark. Apparently, The Power of the Dog outperformed the latter, which only drew in one million households in its first three days, and also surpassed King Richard’s viewership ratings by 70%. It has also trumped the ratings of Netflix’s Ted Melfi dramedy Starling and Rebecca Hall’s Passing by 36% and 84% respectively.
The publication also highlights that the ratings for The Power of the Dog are just 300,000 U.S. households less than what Disney+’s first episode of Hawkeye managed to draw in its five-day premiere. This is indeed interesting considering the ardent fan following the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) enjoys. Looks like Benedict Cumberbatch alone is enough to rival Marvel’s popularity!
Set in the early 20th century, The Power of the Dog follows the story of two Montana rancher brothers Phil (Benedict Cumberbatch) and George Burbank (Jesse Plemons). Phil, a powerful ranch owner, becomes erratic and vengeful when his brother marries a widow, Rose Gordon (Kirsten Dunst), and brings her, as well as her young son, to the ranch. Harboring an instant dislike for Rose, Phil leaves no stone unturned in making her miserable and even ends up driving her to alcoholism.
Directed by Jane Campion, The Power of the Dog stars Benedict Cumberbatch as Phil Burbank, Kirsten Dunst as Rose, Jesse Plemons as George Burbank, Thomasin McKenzie as Lola, Keith Carradine as Governor Edward, Kodi Smit-McPhee as Peter, Adam Beach as Edward Nappo, along with Frances Conroy and Peter Carroll. Campion won the Silver Lion for Best Direction when the film recently debuted at the 78th Venice International Film Festival. She was also honored with the Best Director title by the New York Film Critics Circle who also named Cumberbatch as Best Actor.
The next time Benedict Cumberbatch graces the silver screen will be in the upcoming Marvel film, Spider-Man: No Way Home. Cumberbatch will reprise his character as the enigmatic Doctor Steven Strange who gears up to help Tom Holland’s Peter Parker. The film will see the latter eager to make people forget his true identity and hence approaching the Sorcerer Supreme for some magical aid. But the spell will backfire, allowing villains from alternate realities to enter the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Earth. Strange will be left with the monumental task of rounding up the villains- William Dafao’s Green Goblin, Jamie Foxx’s Electro, Thomas Haden Church’s Sandman, Rhys Ifans’ Lizard, and Alfred Molina’s Doc Ock.
