New Zealand filmmaker Jane Campion lived up to expectations at the Academy Awards, taking home the Best Director prize thanks to her work on The Power of the Dog. This win marks a remarkable moment, arriving 28 years after her earlier triumph with El piano, and placing Campion among a select group of women who have earned the honor in the modern era.
Campion becomes the third woman to receive Hollywood’s top directing recognition, following Kathryn Bigelow for The Hurt Locker in 2010 and Chloé Zhao for Nomadland in the previous year. The competition this year featured seasoned talents such as Kenneth Branagh for Belfast, Steven Spielberg for West Side Story, Paul Thomas Anderson for Licorice Pizza, and Ryusuke Hamaguchi for Drive My Car, underscoring a fiercely competitive field. Yet Campion’s distinctive storytelling and cinematic vision carried the evening, resonating with audiences and industry professionals alike.
Throughout the night, Campion radiated calm, reflecting on a journey that has always valued deep, human storytelling over shortcuts. In a room filled with peers, she reminded viewers that any finalist might have claimed the award, underscoring the evenness of the competition and the high level of achievement across the board.
Campion arrived at the Oscars with a storied track record, starting with the Silver Lion for Best Directing at the Venice Film Festival. Her body of work has since received recognition from the British Academy, the Golden Globes, and the Directors Guild, signaling broad acclaim across major film institutions. The Power of the Dog further cemented her status by winning additional honors, including one of the top prizes for original screenplay, a nod to the film’s tightly woven narrative and its nuanced exploration of power dynamics and identity.
Speaking to the press and to friends and collaborators who contributed to The Power of the Dog, Campion highlighted the joy of telling in-depth stories through cinema. Her remarks celebrated the collaborative nature of filmmaking, thanking colleagues who shaped the project, including actor Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst, Jesse Plemons, and Kodi Smit-McPhee, among others. The achievements spoke not only of Campion’s vision but also of the collective effort that goes into creating a film that resonates on multiple levels.
Since the 1990s, Campion has navigated a path through a male-dominated industry, earning a reputation for fearless, intimate storytelling. Her early achievements helped pave the way for future generations of women directors, illustrating a lasting impact on the craft. The Power of the Dog, often discussed for its restrained mood, powerful performances, and moral complexity, has become a touchstone for contemporary cinema and a testament to Campion’s ability to translate intricate themes into accessible, emotionally charged drama.
In reflecting on her career, Campion’s work is characterized by a disciplined approach to character study and a willingness to probe uncomfortable realities. The film’s exploration of repressed sexuality, familial tension, and fragile masculinity invites viewers to question established norms while staying grounded in human emotion. These elements, combined with a strong visual sensibility, contribute to why Campion’s work continues to attract critical and audience interest alike. The award not only honors a single project but also signals a broader recognition of her sustained contributions to the art of cinema.
As the ceremony closed, observers noted Campion’s enduring influence on the film landscape. Her success affirmed the value of narrative depth and character-centered storytelling, offering inspiration to emerging filmmakers who seek to tell meaningful stories with honesty and courage. The Power of the Dog stands as a defining piece in her oeuvre, a film that invites discussion, interpretation, and lasting appreciation among viewers and critics across North America and beyond.