Oscar buzz is swirling and awards are already rolling in for this American Western psychological thriller. The tensions and complications onscreen are nothing compared to the hoopla The Power of the Dog has generated in the months since its release. Love it or meh it, there’s a story here, to be sure.

The Power of the Dog is a Western featuring the story and tensions of two brother ranchers in 1920s Montana. Phil (Benedict Cumberbatch) is surly, secretive, mean and sad. Younger brother George (Jesse Plemons) is kind, friendly, helpful and genuinely good. While driving cattle the two meet a widow and her son who own an inn and restaurant.

George and the widow, Rose (Kirsten Dunst), fall for each other a wed quickly. Rose and her son, Peter (Kodi Smit-McPhee) move into the brothers’ ranch but Phil suspects Rose of being a gold digger and relentlessly mocks her and her effeminate son. The mockery becomes so intense that, once Peter moves away for college, Rose falls into alcoholism. When Peter returns from college on his summer break, Phil’s secrets are uncovered and Peter decides to end the abuse towards his mother once and for all.

Written and directed by Jane Campion, The Power of the Dog, is based on the novel of the same name by Thomas Savage. The novel was published in 1967. At the time, many of the themes of the story were fresh, nuanced and untested. Turning the book into a film 55 years later has drawn criticism that the movie is full of familiar tropes and expired stereotypes.

The depiction of an angsty gay cowboy has arguably been one of the key elements that has drawn the attention of the Oscar decision-makers. At the same time this is the plot point that many have found fault with – both within the queer community and without. While some still can’t wrap their head around the idea of gay cowboys at all, others feel that this particular depiction has been overdone and does not serve the truth of many real life gay cowboys.

One thing most folks can agree on is he suburb casting of this film. All key players brought their A-game to this project. The Cumberbatch-Plemons-Dunst chemistry is for real. This may be in part because Plemons and Dunst have been together for more than five years and are parents to two wee boys.

The Power of the Dog has been nominated for dozens of awards. It has already taken home Best Director, Best Film and Best Supporting Actor at the Golden Globes, which is generally a good predictor of what the Academy Awards will bring.

You can catch The Power of the Dog now on Netflix.