By Seth Lukas Hynes
Dune Part 2
Starring Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya and Rebecca Ferguson
Rated M
5/5
The follow-up to writer-director Denis Villeneuve’s Dune from 2021, Dune Part 2 is one of the greatest science fiction epics ever made.
On the desert planet Arrakis, Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) grapples with his destiny as a messianic figure for the planet’s Fremen natives.
Dune Part 2 is an enthralling, majestic sci-fi war film with a rich texture of loyalty, prophecy and conspiracy, immersing you in both a bloody multi-world conflict and one man’s struggle against controlling forces and his darker nature.
Once again, the art direction is stunning, infusing every location and artefact with life and heritage; Giedi Prime stands out with its largely black-and-white colour scheme, which highlights the stark cruelty of the Harkonnen villains.
The action sequences are brutal, riveting spectacles, but much of the tension in Part 2 comes from Paul resisting the centuries-old prophecy he is hurtling toward.
Frank Herbert’s 1965 source novel is critical of imperialism, fundamentalism and chosen one narratives, and unlike David Lynch’s sanitised Dune from 1984, Villeneuve’s Dune lucidly explores these themes.
Played to perfection by Chalamet, Paul shifts from a humble young man willing to learn from and serve the oppressed Fremen to an imposing leader of almost frightening zeal.
Chani (Zendaya) and Paul form a touching relationship early on, which sours as Paul begins to embrace his power.
Rebecca Ferguson is manipulative and captivating as Paul’s mother Lady Jessica, and Austin Butler conveys an inhuman elegance and sadism as Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen.
Dune Part 2 is playing in most Victorian cinemas.
It’s hard to imagine any upcoming blockbuster in 2024 surpassing this thrilling, resplendent, thematically-rich sci-fi triumph, and I eagerly look forward to Villeneuve’s planned adaptation of the sequel novel Dune Messiah.
