Dune: Part Two explores the mythic journey of Paul Atreides as he unites with Chani and the Fremen while on a warpath of revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. Facing a choice between the love of his life and the fate of the known universe, he endeavors to prevent a terrible future only he can foresee. A film by Denis Villeneuve, starring Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin, Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, Dave Bautista, Christopher Walken, Léa Seydoux, Stellan Skarsgård, Charlotte Rampling, and Javier Bardem.
DUNE
PART TWO
Denis Villeneuve
(2024)
Married to Count Hasimir Fenring, the ruler of House Fenring, a minor house long aligned with House Corrino, Lady Margot Fenring persuaded Emperor Shaddam Corrino IV to marry Reverend Mother Anirul Corrino, knowing she wouldn’t bear him sons. Lady Anirul, the mother of Princess Irulan Corrino, has trained her daughter in the Bene Gesserit’s Weirding Way and Prana-Bindu techniques. Anticipating the arrival of the Kwisatz Haderach, the Bene Gesserit hope to pave the way for the Atreides/Harkonnen offspring to marry a Corrino daughter and ascend the Imperial throne.
In the shadows of Arrakis lie many secrets, but the darkest of them all may remain, the end of House Atreides.
The DUNE saga continues. At the Imperial House Corrino, Princess Irulan (Florence Pugh) journals that one of the darkest secrets of Arrakis is the fall of House Atreides. She notices that her father, Emperor Shaddam IV (Christopher Walken), has changed his behavior dramatically since the death of Leto Atreides, whom she believes Emperor loved him like his own son. Despite receiving the report that the Atreides bloodline has been eliminated, Irulan suspects that Paul may still be alive. She confides in Bene Gesserit Reverend Mother Gaius Helen Mohiam (Charlotte Rampling) about her suspicion. The Reverend Mother forbids her from talking about Paul with anyone, even her father.
On Arrakis, Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) and his mother Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson), follow Stilgar’s Fremen troops en route to Sietch Tabr in the northern deep desert, believed to be inhabitable. Hunted by Harkonnen warriors, they manage to survive the attack and arrive safely at the Sietch.
Lead them to paradise.
Upon arrival, rumors have spread, with some Fremen believing Jessica and Paul to be imperial spies. However, due to the Bene Gesserit’s extensive influence, some Fremen believe that Paul may be the “Lisan al Gaib” (Voice from the Outer World) from their prophecy: a messiah who will lead them to freedom and transform their harsh desert planet Arrakis into a lush green paradise.
Within Sietch Tabr lies a large pool of water, a sacred space and a vital reservoir. Here, the Fremen collect and meticulously store water from the deceased, following precise calculations in every pour. The reverence and meticulousness displayed in handling this water underscore its immense value to the community. Even a Fremen consumed by thirst wouldn’t dare to drink from this sacred source, demonstrating the deep respect and discipline.
You are not prepared for what is to come.
Unable to convince the Fremen elders of Paul’s potential as their prophesied leader, Stilgar (Javier Bardem) devises a plan. He proposes that Jessica become their new Reverend Mother, replacing the current one who is dying. Initially hesitant, Jessica agrees after Stilgar threatens to kill her as she’d be of no further use to him.
The Water of Life, a poisonous blue liquid, is lethal to anyone untrained in prana/bindu body control. Even the smallest amount would kill instantly and in excruciating pain. This potent yet dangerous substance is retrieved from a sandworm as it’s drowned in water. Only during the creature’s final moments does it release the liquid exhalation used in the elevation of a Bene Gesserit Sister to Reverend Mother status.
The ritual involves consuming the Water of Life, a poisonous blue liquid that is fatal to men and those who lack the necessary training. Jessica survives the ordeal, inheriting the memories of every female in her genetic lineage, and becomes the new Reverend Mother. The Water of Life also unexpectedly triggers the premature awakening of Jessica’s unborn daughter’s mind.
In the Bene Gesserit tradition, the Water of Life, derived from sandworm bile, is fed to a Sister only after years of rigorous training in prana/bindu body control. This advanced training allows the Sisters to alter their metabolism and slow their heart rates, a crucial ability to neutralize the lethality of the potent chemical. Upon ingesting the Water of Life, the Sister enters a coma-like trance, metabolizing the toxic elements on a molecular level. Failure results in death, while success unlocks her genetic memory, granting her access to the Sisterhood’s vast secrets.
The visions are clear now. I see possible futures, all at once. Our enemies are all around us, and in so many futures they prevail. But I do see a way, there is a narrow way through.
Meanwhile, Paul embraces the Fremen ways, learning their language and passing a sandworm riding test, becoming a skilled Fedaykin fighter in the process. He develops a romantic relationship with Chani (Zendaya). After extended exposure to and ingesting spice while living among the Fremen, Paul’s power grows exponentially. He gains the ability to foresee various possible futures, including how to restore House Atreides and the horrific consequences of traveling south, which would lead to the deaths of millions.
“Fedaykin” refers to the fiercest Fremen fighters. They started as rebels fighting for survival on Arrakis and became known for their fierce loyalty and desert combat skills.
He who can destroy a thing has the real control of it.
Fremen troops continue to launch raids on Harkonnen spice harvesters. Reverend Mother Gaius Mohiam sends Lady Margot Fenring (Léa Seydoux) to assess Baron Vladimir’s nephew, Feyd-Rautha (Austin Butler), as a potential candidate for the imperial throne if House Corrino falls.
Born on Lankiveil, a son of Abulurd Rabban, Feyd-Rautha Rabban was his father’s hope for an heir untainted by the dishonor of the Harkonnen name. Abulurd saw him as worthy, unlike his older and more brutal son, Glossu. Baron Vladimir Harkonnen decided to take Feyd under his wing, bringing him to the Harkonnen homeworld of Giedi Prime. Vladimir considered grooming him as a potential successor to the Harkonnen legacy. He named Feyd his heir, changing his name to Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen.
Margot Fenring is a member of the Bene Gesserit, a secretive matriarchal order famed for its superhuman abilities cultivated through rigorous mental and physical conditioning, and the use of the spice melange. These abilities grant her remarkable powers, including acute observation and awareness, seduction and sexual imprinting, and precise control of her body chemistry, allowing her to ensure conception and choose the sex of her offspring.
Margot successfully seduces Feyd-Rautha and secures the Harkonnen bloodline’s future should Paul fail to fulfill the prophecy. In response to repeated failures in suppressing the Fremen uprisings, Baron Vladimir Harkonnen (
Stellan Skarsgård) demotes Glossu “Beast” Rabban (Dave Bautista) and appoints Feyd-Rautha as the new ruler of Arrakis.
Like Paul Atreides, Feyd-Rautha is also a pawn in the Bene Gesserit’s grand scheme, their bloodlines meticulously cultivated for generations. The Bene Gesserit hoped this union would unite the Atreides and Harkonnens, burying their ancient feud and paving the way for the birth of the Kwisatz Haderach, a being of unparalleled power. But Lady Jessica, defying the Bene Gesserit’s orders, birthed a son, Paul, shattering their centuries-old plan and igniting a chain of events that would forever alter the course of the galaxy.
Clocking in at 2 hours and 46 minutes, yet the film never feels long or drags. DUNE: Part Two is a spectacle to behold, feeling bigger, grander, and more explosive than the first film. It features many essential key moments and important supporting characters delivering iconic performances, particularly Austin Butler as the menacingly psychotic Feyd-Rautha. Anya Taylor-Joy’s portrayal of a future vision of Alia Atreides is a big win for me!
In the novel, Feyd-Rautha’s demise is much more brutal than the 2024 film adaptation, as he was originally killed by Paul thrusting a crysknife up his jaw and into his brain. Denis Villeneuve opted for a more elegant portrayal of Feyd-Rautha’s death in the film.
This prophecy is how they enslave us.
Denis Villeneuve’s adaptation of “DUNE” expands on Chani’s role, staying close to Frank Herbert’s novel. This portrayal showcases her strength as a Fremen warrior, a skilled fighter, and a loving partner to Paul Atreides. Zendaya’s captivating performance adds depth and complexity to Chani, making her a more compelling character.
May thy knife chip and shatter.
The production design is top-notch, complemented by Hans Zimmer’s exceptional soundtrack, elevating every scene to its full potential. However, the pacing feels uneven compared to the first film. The filmmakers’ attempt to condense the narrative leads to several scenes feeling rushed, leaving viewers with little room to breathe and absorb the emotions.
Shot entirely on 70mm IMAX certified cameras, Denis Villeneuve’s “DUNE: Part Two” marks a significant shift from the first film, which used the format for only 40% of its scenes. This decision promises an even more immersive visual experience, packed with potential thrills and surprises. I highly recommend seeking out the largest screen and best sound system you can possibly find.
DUNE: Part Two premiered at the Auditorio Nacional in Mexico on 6 February 2024. The film is scheduled to be released in the United States on 1 March.
