Kodi Smit-McPhee Builds Awards Season Buzz with 'The Power of the Dog'

Kodi Smit-McPhee went all plaid for all of his press looks at the 2021 Telluride Film Festival in Telluride, Colorado during Labor Day Weekend. 

The 25-year-old Aussie actor was in town to promote his new movie, Netflix’s Jane Campion-directed The Power of Dog, which world premiered to a four-minute standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival. Kodi is receiving awards season buzz for his incredible performance and co-stars alongside Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst, Jesse Plemons and Thomasin McKenzie.

Click inside to read what the top critics are saying about Kodi…

Here’s what the top critics are saying about Kodi‘s sensitive portrayal of aspiring doctor Peter:

The Hollywood Reporter: “The result is bound to be one of the fall’s most talked-about performances, a prospect somewhat daunting to Smit-McPhee…”

Vanity Fair: “Peter, who’s played with startling, mesmerizing assurance by Kodi Smit-McPhee…”

Variety: “[Kirsten Dunst's] co-stars Kodi Smit-McPhee and real-life partner Jesse Plemons are exquisite in their parts, and interestingly divide their time in the film accordingly, with Plemons heavier in the first half and McPhee taking charge in the latter.”

Indiewire: “Compellingly expressed through Smit-McPhee’s reedy self-assurance (whose take on the character seems to stem from Savage’s description that “no one could close a door more quietly than he”), Peter’s desire is the mystery at the center of a rivetingly tense movie that screws tight like a Patricia Highsmith thriller without forsaking its Western splendor.”

Awards Watch: “THE POWER OF THE DOG is such an elegiac mood piece… Benedict Cumberbatch and Kodi Smit-McPhee were standouts.”

The Playlist: “A boyishly beautiful, mild-tempered teenager, Peter (Kodi Smit-McPhee, delivering another star-making performance after “Slow West”) happens to be the creative kind who makes art and assembles paper flowers for her mom’s tables.”

Dave Karger: “My 2021 Telluride awards: Best Supporting Actor: Kodi Smit-McPhee, The Power of the Dog”

Peter Howell: “Deft strokes by Jane Campion adapting toxic macho western, a tale exceedingly well told… And save a Best Supporting Actor nom for Kodi Smit-McPhee.”

Tomris Laffly: “Kodi Smit-McPhee, who will absolutely blow your mind in THE POWER OF THE DOG. (Check him out in SLOW WEST first, if you haven’t seen it already.)”

Carolyn Hinds: “And I have to mention Kodi Smit-McPhee. If he’s not nominated for any supporting role awards, forget the whole season. He’s amazing in this film. His scenes with Benedict were intense for me and filled with so much subtext, questions and answers.”

FYI: During Kodi‘s first day of Telluride press, he wore a white and blue plaid H&M top, CSNV t-shirt, Levi’s jeans, Puma shoes, Milamore earring/necklace, and a Hirotaka ring. On the second day, he wore a gold and black plaid AllSaints buttondown, a COS turtleneck, Levi’s jeans, Dr. Martens shoes, Milamore earring, Emanuele Bicocchi hexagon ring, and other Hirotaka jewelry. During the last day of press, Kodi wore matching black and gray IRO Paris tops, Levi’s jeans, Kenneth Cole boots, Emanuele Bichocchi necklace and braided ring, and an earring/other rings from Martyre. Be sure to check out the gallery for more pictures!