Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

'Power Of The Dog' Star Kodi Smit-McPhee Offers Truly Iconic Response To Sam Elliott's Criticism

'Power Of The Dog' Star Kodi Smit-McPhee Offers Truly Iconic Response To Sam Elliott's Criticism
Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images

The new Western film, The Power of the Dog, has a lot of people talking. It’s been widely streamed, nominated for a dozen Academy Awards and sparked a lot of online discussion.

However, not all of that discussion has been positive.


As reported previously, Sam Elliott, who has acted in a number of Western films, derided The Power of the Dog, calling it a “piece of sh*t" and took extreme exception to any "allusions of homosexuality" being in a Western. Elliott made his targeted remarks during an inappearance on the podcast WTF with Marc Maron.

Despite these seemingly homophobic criticisms by Elliott, when the film's star Kodi Smit-McPhee was asked to reply, he had a different response than his costar, Benedict Cumberbatch.

You can see Smit-McPhee's reply below.

Smit-McPhee was asked about Elliott’s comments on the film including his thoughts about the themes of the story and questioning if director Jane Campion had the right to make an American Western.

When asked what he wanted to say in response, Smit-McPhee said:

“Nothing. ‘Cause I’m a mature being and I’m passionate about what I do. And I don’t really give energy to anything outside of that.”
“Good luck to him.”

In The Power of the Dog, Kodi Smit-McPhee acts alongside Benedict Cumberbatch, Jesse Plemons and Kirsten Dunst.

The psychological drama examines Cumberbatch’s wealthy ranch owner character’s interactions with his brother’s new wife’s son, played by Smit-McPhee, while exploring both toxic masculinity and internalized homophobia.

The film is directed by Jane Campion, a New Zealand director, who also chose to film the movie in that country because of issues caused by the pandemic. This led to one of Elliott’s criticisms about the inauthenticity of the film.

However, Spaghetti Westerns—the vehicle that launched Clint Eastwood's film Western careeer—were filmed in Europe and produced by Italians. So the idea of a Western being made by someone who isn’t American and filmed outside of the country isn’t exactly unheard of.

The bigger criticism Elliott had was the “allusions of homosexuality” that permeated the film. However, that was literally the point of the film and the book it was based on, along with confronting traits of toxic masculinity.

Sam Elliott is entitled to his opinion, but others are entitled to their thoughts about that opinion too.

Smit-McPhee wasn’t the only one to address Elliott’s comments.

While the young actor was asked directly about the criticism, Benedict Cumberbatch brought up the controversy while interviewed for the British Academy of Film And Television Awards (BAFTA).

He never mentioned Elliott by name, but it was clear he was addressing him when he emphasized the intolerance towards homosexuality that still exists in our world.

More from Trending

Mariah Carey as Morticia Addams; Carey in red Santa outfit
@mariahcarey/Instagram

Mariah Carey Channels Morticia Addams In Video Declaring 'It's Time' For The Holiday Season

Pop diva Mariah Carey wasted no time heralding in the winter festivities on November 1 with a fun video partnering with Kay Jewelers Instagram.

For the promo clip's opening black-and-white sequence, the "It's a Wrap" singer channeled Morticia Addams from The Addams Family in a long black dress, a cascading black wig, and a diamond necklace courtesy of Kay Jewelers.

Keep ReadingShow less
A man yelling into a phone
man holding telephone screaming
Photo by Icons8 Team on Unsplash

People Reveal The Dumbest Reasons Why Someone Got Mad At Them

Patience is a virtue.

A virtue that, sadly, far too few people are blessed with.

Keep ReadingShow less
RFK Jr., Donald Trump, Kamala Harris
Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images; Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Harris Had The Perfect Response After Trump Said RFK Jr. Will Be 'In Charge Of Women's Health'

Vice President Kamala Harris had the perfect short and sweet response to former President Donald Trump's announcement that he would put RFK Jr. in charge of "women's health" if reelected.

Speaking at a rally in Nevada in the final days leading up to the election, Trump said:

Keep ReadingShow less
lake through window during rain
Tommy Bond on Unsplash

People Describe The Most Depressing Travel Destinations They Ever Visited

Sometimes, when we travel, we go somewhere with a lot of hype and are disappointed. Other times, we're going to a place of historic significance with a past of tragedy and trauma.

Sometimes, our travels are work or humanitarian aid-related.

Keep ReadingShow less
JD Vance
Jimmy Kimmel Live/YouTube

JD Vance Slammed For Bizarre Rant About Kids Turning Trans To Get Into College

Things really aren't going very well for the Trump-Vance campaign, and JD Vance seems to think he knows exactly how to solve it—saying more weird stuff about trans people!

During Vance's recent appearance on Joe Rogan's podcast, Vance introduced what seems to be the newest right-wing conspiracy theory about transgender people: that they're faking it.

Keep ReadingShow less